Accidental Damage - "like for like" to cover cost of replacement

Breatheee

Hi
I am trying to claim for replacement of my TV under my home insurance policy for which I had Accidental Cover at the time .
The nature of the damage caused is not being disputed as being covered by the insurance company ( toddler and a metal spoon) . They are saying that because I did not specify the TV as being over the value of £1500 at the time of buying my policy - I am not covered . 
My argument is that at the time of insuring it was a 1 year old TV and was not valued at the price I bought it and thus didn't think i needed to specify it ( nor was I asked ) - i have today found deals where a similar TV is being sold for £1,499 .
Can anyone shed some light on whether it has to be the same brand TV when they look at the value ( currently the same brand and spec is at 1,599- so £100 over the £1500 limit ) or can it just be a TV of similar spec ( where they are retailing for £1,499).
I will also put to them that even if it is the exact brand as mine that is considered for value , why can they not just compensate me for the £1,499 limit set on all items usually under the policy . I have checked the policy agreement and can't see any thing stated that it has to be the same brand of TV etc .
Thanks for any help or advice 

MovingForwards

If it's like for like then same brand / spec, possibly any brand / same spec. They can't compensate you as you were under insured for the TV. 

Is there anything in the T&C's about this type of circumstance or do you want to name the insurer?

With insurance you need to think about the cost of replacing items, regardless of whether it was brand new, in a sale etc.

Breatheee

Hi
Thanks for your reply - there isn't anything in the docs that states "like for like" - the person i spoke to mentioned the term , though there is nothing setting out what they take into account specifically about the brand . The policy fine print does make reference to being under insured and that they may choose to reduce your claim so I will argue that to try and at least get some money back. 
The insurer is Esure 

dacouch

It would be fairly unusual for an Insurer to require a Television to be specified on a policy, I've just checked the Esure Policy booklet and it does not define a television as a "High Risk" item (They tend to need to be specified.
Are you sure they actually need it specified

TELLIT01

If they required items with a replacement value in excess of £1500 to be declared separately then there isn't a lot you can do.  Simply put, you didn't comply with their requirements.    They may consider partial payment if you push them.

Nothing to do with your claim, but that's a lot of money for a telly.  I just paid a couple of hundred quid for one and thought that was a lot.

Carrot007

Since no one has put it simp[ly for you.

If the policy said declare items above [blah]. What they mean is we would charge you more.

 The has alway been obvious on applying to me but I never spend so much. and really spending at a lower point is really better than spendsing more and expecting longer, tech is not like that. There are other things but not with you is seems.

MovingForwards

All insurers have their high value item figure, it's one of the questions they ask when taking out a policy, 'do you have anything worth £X or more'.

Steep learning curve for OP, but maybe they will give her something towards replacing it.

rs65

Breatheee said:

I have checked the policy agreement and can't see any thing stated that it has to be the same brand of TV etc .

It wouldn't say that.  What it would say is that you need to use the new replacement cost - which would naturally be the same brand

rs65

Breatheee said:

Hi
Thanks for your reply - there isn't anything in the docs that states "like for like" - the person i spoke to mentioned the term , though there is nothing setting out what they take into account specifically about the brand . The policy fine print does make reference to being under insured and that they may choose to reduce your claim so I will argue that to try and at least get some money back. 
The insurer is Esure 

It won't use those words.  There will be a clause about how claims are settled and one will be to replace

Breatheee

Thanks for all your messages especially those commenting on my apparent exuberant spending on a TV ...
By way of update - i spoke to the complaints team today and they agreed to settle the claim for the £1,500 on the grounds that
it wasn't reasonable to expect me to know that my TV was worth over £1500 12 months after buying it - hence i didn't specify it .
Thanks again