Home Insurance Amended

dmdrabble

Hello,

I had Buildings and Contents cover through Legal and General. I specified high costs items which were a Rolex watch for both my wife and I. The cover was taken out last April and expired today.

While in Barcelona this weekend, I was approached by 3 men on Las Ramblas. They grabbed me and I managed to push them away. It was only when I had gone another 50 feet, I realized my watch had gone. I reported this to the Police that evening.

As my current policy was due to expire, I logged onto the insurers portal to check my renewal. I noticed 3 documents. One was my original policy document, showing the 2 watches as covered for £6000 in and away from home. The second document dated 2 months in, shows a policy amendment , which just removes the 2 watches. It details a refund too. I never requested this, although it says as requested by me. The 3rd document is a renewal quote, minus the 2 watches.

I just called Legal and General and have been told that the high value items were removed because I didn't provide a valuation for the items.

I wasn’t aware I had to do this. No letters or emails were sent out requesting a valuation report. Customer Services have said the details were available via the portal that I have only recently accessed. I know I have been tripped up by the small print but I feel very much let down. I have taken out insurance for my watch previously and never provided further proof of value.

I now have a shortfall of £5000 if I wanted to replace the item, which I cannot afford.

Any advice would be appreciated, although I feel this is a very expensive lesson.

FutureGirl

Did you buy the policy online?

The issue here is that this information has been with you the whole time, you just didn't read it. You are advised to read through the documentation within 14 days to ensure that is meets your requirements and all information is correct.

rs65

dmdrabble wrote: »

I wasn’t aware I had to do this. No letters or emails were sent out requesting a valuation report. Customer Services have said the details were available via the portal that I have only recently accessed.

Does the portal say that?

I've just tried a quote and it says
You can add up to six items valued at a maximum of £10000 individually and up to a total of £20000.
If you need to make a claim, you'll need to provide a professional valuation, receipt or proof of purchase from before you lost the item, to prove its value and that you own it.


It doesn't say you need to provide a valuation to get cover, only to make a claim.

McKneff

Next time just buy a watch that people dont particularly want to steal from you.

A Rolex and a £5.99 from Argos tell the same time.

Good luck with your claim

dmdrabble

Hello,

In reply to the 2 points:

The Portal has 3 documents.
One the original policy document from 3rd April, which included the watches. The 2nd was uploaded 2 months later outlining a refund had been processed after my request to amend the policy. I obviously didn't request that. The 3rd is a policy renewal.

I can't see anywhere, where they said I had to provide a valuation.

As another contributor said, you need to provide proof or valuation in the event of a claim.

I just followed the process of applying for cover with the same insurer. The text reads: you will have to provide proof of purchase or valuation in the event of a claim, not for the item to be covered.

My point is that the amendment was made 2 months in without my knowledge. I would have addressed this in that event.

The policy was taken out online to answer the question.

I may be feeling sorry for myself, but I took out the policy as I have done every other time. Honestly and accurately. I feel let down by this technicality or oversight.

I've just taken out another policy and now feel paranoid that I will be left underinsured as I haven't correctly read the terms correctly.

agrinnall

Have you made a complaint yet?

https://www.legalandgeneral.com/existing-customers/contact-us/making-a-complaint/

dmdrabble

Thank you for the web link.

I intend to follow up with a complaint. I went through the process of applying for cover using a comparison site and using LandG own site. Nowhere does it say you need to provide a valuation to cover the item. It says you will need proof of purchase, ownership or valuation, should you wish to make a claim.

I have registered the claim now, albeit with Max £1500 and then intend to follow up with a letter of complaint.

rs65

dmdrabble wrote: »

Customer Services have said the details were available via the portal that I have only recently accessed.

dmdrabble wrote: »

I can't see anywhere, where they said I had to provide a valuation.

Ask them where the need to provide the valuations is. They will be struggling to enforce their removal if you weren't advised of the need for valuations.