Swiftcover Home - Stolen Camera Not Insured

mimideemee

Unfortunately I had a burglary at home a couple of weeks ago and I'm now going through the long winded and painful claims process with Swiftcover (god awful company and will never use them again!):mad::mad:

I had a £500 camera that was stolen. However, during my appointment with the claims assessor she asked who the camera belong to - I told her it belongs to my parents (who live down the road from me) but we use it as a shared/pooled family camera and I had borrowed it to upload some holiday photos at my own house.

As soon as she heard my explanation, she immediately told me that the camera is not insured under my policy as it does not belong to me. :mad::mad:

Anyway, I've since discovered that it was me that actually paid for the camera with my own credit card (I couldn't remember as it was 3 years ago!) - I have proof of purchase of this as the receipt shows my name! So am I able to use this as evidence to prove that I am the official owner of the camera?

I'm just trying to figure what's the best way to approach this before I submit my paperwork.

Thank you so much!

BartSimpson_2

If it belongs to you then just ring them and admit it was an honest mistake. They are right to say that if you were borrowing a camera from your parents that this is not covered as you would have no financial interest in the item. However, tell them the truth and back this up with evidence and you should be fine. They may be a little bit dubious but once they see the purchase on a credit card in your name then I'm sure they will accept that the item belongs to you and is covered.

*Scarlett

Some policies will cover guests belongings up to a certain amount - not much usually £350 - £500. I imagine that your parents were not staying with you at the time but if they were, you might be covered.

To be honest it does sound as though you bought the camera and gave it to your parents as a gift as you said that you borrowed it so it does belong to them.

If it was yours, you would generally be in possession of it and they would borrow from you.

The insurer may accept that you own the camera based on your receipt - you can explain that it was a misunderstanding with the claims assessor as regards to ownwership - although why would you would have mentioned your parents interest in the camera in the first place if you own it?

Do your parents have any cover for items away from home? They might be able to claim on their own policy. Check the policy wording but assuming this was stolen from a locked building it may be covered.

dacouch

It's very important that you stick to the facts and do not try and bend the story to fit your claim or produce any moody documents.

mimideemee

When she quizzed me on its ownership, I only casually mentioned it belongs my parents because these thoughts popped up in my head:
- the camera is always stored in my parents bedroom
- my dad uses it way more than me...

...so quite naturally I just said it was my parents without thinking anything of it.

Also bear in mind it was 3 years ago when I purchased it, and didn't even remember it was me.

The camera is at parent's house because I only moved out of the family home a year ago and some of my belongings are still there (i only live 1 min drive away so getting bits and bobs is easy) I only took the camera because I had promised my mum to upload holiday photos online!

The camera was not gifted to my parents. As far as I'm concerned it belongs to ALL of us in the family, but I had never had to think about the "legal owner" until now. But when I tried to correct myself and explain this part about shared ownership to my immediate family she wouldn't let me get a word in edge ways.

I'm not trying to bend a story to fit a claim - I'm trying to rectify a mistake which she wouldn't let me on the phone, which I think is unfair.

Now I have found the receipt I just feel it's much more clear cut as to who is the official legal keeper of the camera because it has my name on it. If it had my parents name then I would have to back down.

I didn't want my parents to claim it off their home insurance because with their excess of £500 and impact on the no claims bonus it wouldn't be worth their bother.

weejonnie

Why on earth would anyone have a house insurance policy with a £500 excess! It appears that any premium savings have been lost now doesn't it?

(And you are right in that contents temporary removed from the home are covered (usually) against theft (from a locked building))

mimideemee

weejonnie wrote: »

Why on earth would anyone have a house insurance policy with a £500 excess! It appears that any premium savings have been lost now doesn't it?

My parents and I both have Swiftcover home insurance - we took it because it was cheap, which explains the £500 excess. I guess we thought we it would be unlikely we would ever make a claim. Lesson learnt there I guess

I had £2600 worth of goods stolen, so I still need to make the claim despite the huge excess.

dacouch

weejonnie wrote: »

Why on earth would anyone have a house insurance policy with a £500 excess! It appears that any premium savings have been lost now doesn't it?

(And you are right in that contents temporary removed from the home are covered (usually) against theft (from a locked building))

I agree, that size excess for contents for an oldish person would save circa £25 a year. You would need to go a very long time without claiming to make it worth while

InsideInsurance

Who paid for something is not really that relevant. I have paid for every gift I have given my parents but that doesnt mean the items any longer belong to me.

Contents
Household goods (including tenants fixtures, fittings and interior decorations) frozen foods, personal effects, business equipment, valuables and money, are included provided that they belong to you or your family or you or they are legally responsible for them

The current swiftcover states the above is the definition of contents. On that grounds you would have cover as whilst not your item it is you legal responsibility to look after it on behalf of your family.