accidental damage cover for smart tv - is Row any good?

tempus_fugit

littlerock wrote: »

Ironically just now, I was looking at the video on LV's website about claiming on your home insurance and one of the examples they gave was if your led tv falls on the floor and breaks screen, we'll help you replace it, fast.

When I phoned them this morning and asked what was the procedure for claiming for my brand new led tv which had fallen on the floor and cracked the screen, I got some rigmarole about having to send out someone to inspect it first to see it it could be repaired. I said with modern LED tvs I thought that unlikely.

However she was not prepared to discuss it further but barked at me that I would have to make a formal claim before she could discuss it. Making a claim, getting the set inspected, possibly getting it sent off for repair, None of it sounds like a fast fix for a broken tv, which is the very example they give in the video. (:

In fact I think I am paying far too much for my policy - a quick look at comparable policies confirms this so I might claim anyway, it is not a lot of money, and then move policies. Even with a price hike I would still be ahead.

I'm wondering what your issue is here. Why are you insisting on a replacement TV? Your policy is meant to put you back in the position you were in before the damage occurred. If that means a repair and that is a viable option then that's what you get. If it were me I'd be quite happy for the TV to be repaired and I would consider it good value for the price of a year's premium. Insisting on replacement is not reasonable unless a repair really is not viable, and the insurers have to at least look at that possibility first, that's quite normal.

littlerock

Universally it says on the internet that if an LCD tv screen is broken, which mine is, that due to the way they are constructed, the screens cannot be repaired as it is not economic to do so, mostly a new tv is the only option. (see quotes below).

I wanted to discuss with insurer what their approach was to fixing or replacing broken LCD screens, before making a claim as it might be the case that it would cost me more in future premiums to get it fixed under insurance if it involved a replacement tv. Then I could decide whether to proceed with a claim or not. But they would not discuss it with me until after I made a claim.

Quotes

"The hard truth is, whether you have an LCD, LED or plasma TV, a cracked or shattered TV screen cannot actually be repaired - it can only be replaced." (fixyatv)


"We average around 5 phone calls a day about broken screens. Some people break their TVs while moving them, some have kids that throw something at the screen and break it, and some have fights where somebody intentionally breaks the TV screen. Unfortunately, we've never seen one worth repairing. The screen can't be repaired. Technically, it can be replaced. But usually the screens cost close to the price of the TV. Some screens cost more than the TV. The TV can't be repaired." (Alamo tv repair centre)

GDB2222

You may be right that the TV is beyond repair, but you can hardly blame the insurers for wanting to check before paying your claim.

Can I ask how much a replacement costs and how much your policy excess is?

Blibble

littlerock wrote: »

Universally it says on the internet that if an LCD tv screen is broken, which mine is, that due to the way they are constructed, the screens cannot be repaired as it is not economic to do so, mostly a new tv is the only option. (see quotes below)

A repair may take the form of replacing the whole LCD panel. A repair is not necessarily fixing the existing, damaged panel.

If the unit is still in production (which, given the purchase date, yours likely is) then parts will be readily available and, as long as it is cost effective to do so, the unit may be repairable.

NB: your insurer may also get a discount on the replacement panel, so an article on consumer prices isn't overly helpful as the insurer will have a different pricing structure.

littlerock

I do understand that my insurers need to look at the tv. What I was really complaining about was that I wanted advice from my insurers BEFORE making a claim, on whether it was even worth doing so, given the possible implications for my policy premiums.

As LCD tvs are so vulnerable to accidental damage, I thought my insurers must regularly get claims for them on accidental damage and so be able to advise me on how this was normally handled, and whether it got repaired or replaced. (I am assuming usually replaced as they appear to be very difficult to mend (look it up on the internet.) )

So I thought I would have a conversation where they said something like No problem this happens all the time and we just need to get someone round to check it out, but if it really is the LCD screen which is broken, then it will usually mean a replacement and we will issue a voucher/cheque. (I have extended accidental damage cover on my home contents.) On the other hand if they said it meant a repair and sending it away for this and a hit on my premiums, knowing this might help me decide on whether to claim or just buy a new one and take the hit myself.

I could not get past an aggressive customer support person at LV who kept shouting at me that she could not give me any advice until I had made a formal claim. Which by then of course would be on my record as an "incident" even if I decided not to claim. As confirmed by other posters here. .

I still need a new tv and have been researching how to insure any replacement tv and keep it off my home contents insurance , given they seem very vulnerable to accidental damage. Some sellers offer an extended warranty with accidental damage cover, which you pay extra for of course, when you buy a TV from them (eg John Lewis, Marks Electrical even Amazon at present, but not Tesco Direct.) I found a leaflet in the packaging with mine, for an extended 3 year warranty with D & G which includes accidental damage, although not at a competitive price.

I also phoned LG to ask how much I should expect to pay for a screen repair and they said they did not actually handle these queries and I should ask their UK service agents, a firm called Equinox in Tewkesbury, over 200 miles from where I live. ( I think that LG control all their spares which makes it hard to get an independent repair.) The Equinox website is not very informative. LG on the other hand has the worst possible rating on Trustpilot for after sales service and not honouring even warranty repairs.

The lesson from all this is to only buy an LCD TV with an extended warranty which includes accidental damage from day 1......

firefox1956

As post #14 what is the replacement cost of the TV & what is your policy excess ??

[Deleted User]

Blibble wrote: »

A repair may take the form of replacing the whole LCD panel. A repair is not necessarily fixing the existing, damaged panel.

While I agree the insurer will very definitely look to pay out the smallest amount possible, I've yet to see any flat panel TV being "repaired" (rather than simply replaced) if the screen is smashed. It's simply not economical to do so.

littlerock wrote: »

The lesson from all this is to only buy an LCD TV with an extended warranty which includes accidental damage from day 1......

Well, perhaps.

John Lewis (for example) want a £95 additional sum for such a policy, which is not a small amount.