Claiming against storage company insurance

Scoobysue_2

I have recently stored my furniture and personal belongings with a storage company for 4 months. When the items were being taken out they were found to be damaged. The side of the dishwasher dented to the metal and a couple of solid wood chests had been stored on their side making the drawers impossible to fit back in plus very damp and now warped. These wooden items plus a solid wood table were damp and had mould growing on them. Thank god it was only 4 months and not 4 years.

The storage company have given me an insurance claim form to claim against their insurers for the damaged items. The form has several columns, Date Acquired, Original cost, Replacement Cost and Cost or Repair or Allowance Claimed.

My query is what is the allowance? what is a reasonable claim amount? The wooden chests were bought new Sept 2007 (I have the receipts) brand new. How have they depreciated? they're wooden items? Their condition was the same as when bought 7 years ago minus a couple of scratches (wear and tear)and now I can't shut the drawers. I have the same issue with the dishwasher in that I don't know what to claim for. It was bought Nov 2011, yes it still works but the dents have gone to the metal.

I would appeciate help on this matter as I don't know how to calculate the cost.

Many thanks
Sue

Bantex_2

Just put down the cost of replacement.

Scoobysue_2

But they are asking for allowance on wear, tear and depreciation. I don't know where to start because I don't know the formula regarding depreciation.

InsideInsurance

At a guess I would say an "allowance" is a cash settlement you'd accept effectively to live with the damage.

Without knowing if its new for old or indemnity based insurance its hard to say the "correct" answer but I'd go for best case scenario and put the numbers in as cost to replace new

Quentin

This type of insurance is not normally on a new for old basis.

So they are unlikely to pay the full cost of replacement, but make deductions from the replacement cost so that they pay what the items were worth.

Scoobysue_2

Thanks for the comments