paulr

Even better to have 3, so that after you have shown them the first, then they ask to see the second, all your real valuables are in the third.............

dpb

Didn't know that

Re passport

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Sorry to hear of this crap life recently has dealt you Ali

hodgy0_2

What happens if they actually ask to see the third, first

Your fvcked

dpb

Lol

netbeast

i guess noone reads the whole post.

his driver's license got stolen together with the passport, currently the only form of ID he has been left with is the aforementioned firearm certificate.

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

Hmm....

My inlaws live in Wythall and have had similar happen a few weeks ago.

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Dingdongler

Oh I think there was a little more agenda involved actually but let's move on. If I used that phrase it should have been obvious to most intelligent people that I did not intend to actually build a fortress complete with a moat, archers and hot burning oil.
Lots of external lighting linked to the sort of pir sensor offices use in their staff toilets is hardly 'James Bond' is it?


It was a turn of phrase to convey that I wanted my house to be very secure, more secure than the average home. The average home is not actually very secure at all, a mediocre burglar could probably literally just walk through the front door.



After seeing a few friends/relatives over the years being the victims of serious crime within their own homes I decided a little time and money invested preemptively was no bad thing. I considered what could have been done to reduce the chances of the sort of crime that happened to those I knew and used that as basis.

It was a rational and considered approach to a risk. The incidence of that risk is thankfully low, however the impact of that risk (not in monetary terms) is very very high. Some elderly people never recover from the psychological trauma of a home invasion and it literally kills them.

As I was having building work done on my home about then it seemed a sensible time to get any security stuff done in one go.

And imho burglar alarms aren't a waste of time. When I set mine off accidentally a few months back two police cars turned up in about eight minutes, I was quite impressed.

More reassuringly (but to great embarrassment) when my builders set of the centrally monitored fire alarm two fire engines turned up in a similar sort of time

Chip

An alarm is a must these days, we had an new one fitted recently though I did go out to the local pub the other night and forgot to set it. On my return I realied I had left the back door wide open, luckily the back is quite secure from intruders. Must be more careful in future I guess.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Well, an update to this. After all these months trying settle the insurance claim...mainly due to a dispute with the valuation on some high value items (including the security marked stuff that was done by Assay office's "SafeGuard" service, which should be indisputable).

Insurance co have turned round and rejected the entire claim on a clause that was put in during renewal. But wasn't there at the time the policy was originally taken out. The clause is also highly dubious. I won't mention specifics on here as walls have ears etc. But basically it appears this case has been passed to someone more senior whose job is to get out of paying out.

Furious is a understatement, after all this time and aggrevation, to be told this - something they were aware of at the initial point of claim.

You know that guy who firebombed those council offices. Well, lucky I don't have any gas bottles, as I maybe at the edge of snapping and end up doing stuff that the guy in my avatar did (Falling Down ).

Another insurer has also fudged me over on a claim for water damage in the bathroom too. I've given up on that out of disparity. I just been ground down too much by all of this.

I've never had to claim on home and contents in my life. I can now conclude that the only scum worse than theives and rapists are insurers.

Edit: Thread locks and relevent conversation removed due to insurance appeals etc. I'll post up the outcome and restore any relevent posts when it finally gets sorted.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Well, an update to this. After all these months trying settle the insurance claim...mainly due to a dispute with the valuation on some high value items (including the security marked stuff that was done by Assay office's "SafeGuard" service, which should be indisputable).

Insurance co have turned round and rejected the entire claim on a clause that was put in during renewal. But wasn't there at the time the policy was originally taken out. The clause is also highly dubious. I won't mention specifics on here as walls have ears etc. But basically it appears this case has been passed to someone more senior whose job is to get out of paying out.

Furious is a understatement, after all this time and aggrevation, to be told this - something they were aware of at the initial point of claim.

You know that guy who firebombed those council offices. Well, lucky I don't have any gas bottles, as I maybe at the edge of snapping and end up doing stuff that the guy in my avatar did (Falling Down ).

Another insurer has also fudged me over on a claim for water damage in the bathroom too. I've given up on that out of disparity. I just been ground down too much by all of this.

I've never had to claim on home and contents in my life. I can now conclude that the only scum worse than theives and rapists are insurers.

Turbohot

Sorry to hear that, Ali. Goes to show.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

That's an absolute sickener. I may as well not bother renewing my home insurance, it seems it's not worth having.

fat-thomas

iTrader: (4)

Unban my original username and I'll return the coats


Seriously though there are some scumbags about

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I feel the same now. It wasn't a cheapy policy either.

This I can honestly say this ten times worse than the break-in itself. Its caused more stress, took far more time to deal with and kicks you in the gonads when you are already on the floor.

dpb

I wondered why pitbulls were popular

donny andi

iTrader: (3)

All insurers are the same ....w4nkers.

My mate had his place turned over yr or so back , £3k watch and a lot of electricals.
Dipsy WPC wrote down £300 for the watch ,insurance company threatened him with fraud .
Zero payout and he's still fighting it

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear that Ali.... All insurers are pretty much the same.

My partner and I are getting a Czech line German Shepherd in the summer so hopefully that'll be a great deterrent.

PaulC72

Sorry to hear the bad new update Ali, however I suppose eventually it'll get sorted as you were in contract under the old policy not the new when you made your claim so any additional clauses should not hold, it's just a matter of making them realise that which may be costly if you have to go a legal route.

Good luck with it they are all there to take the money but not wanting to give any back when a problem occurs which just isnt fair when you pay in good faith.

Shaun

I always paid premiums to go with very reputable and large companies, like Zurich and Tesco.

Due to the inevitable (and I really feel for you on this point) I have had to claim from both companies (not at the same time lol) and they both made the process absolutely stress free, sorted all the crap and paid out very quickly.... and the amounts claimed were not unsubstantial.

I feel for high value insurance cover, it pays to pay to go with the big players.

I don't know who you were with, but sincerely hope it all gets resolved.

Stuff like this is crap as it is, without being dicked about by insurers.

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

Not the same thing but I recently flew to New York and my case was lost, it took 3 days to get my case and luckily it turned up on 25/12 so I thought I would give my missus her Christmas presents? Nope turns out when my case was was missing it has been raided and presents stolen

It sounds stupid putting expensive things in a case? Yes but they were electrical so I couldn't have customs saying open these up now to put on charge so we know they are safe. Turns out they don't ask for things to be on charge even in Heathrow!

Anyway things were stolen from my case and the two things which bug me more than anything is they stole my lightening ipad lead and they stole a pack of 3 tooth brushes. I can understand the expensive stuff I had stolen but why an ipad lead and some home bargain tooth brushes which cost a quid!

scoobygaz1

iTrader: (3)

What about the insurance ombudsman? They help me with a motor claim years ago and found in my favour.

Matteeboy

Shaun - it sounds like Ali WAS with a big firm. IMO it doesn't matter who they are, they are all *****.

I renewed my car insurance once; gave the small print the once over and on my cover note it said "insured on the driveway" (as it has been before) then in the small print it said "only insured in a secure garage" - they literally tried to pull a fast one. I cancelled immediately.

Not sure what the issue is with yours but if you need a hand making a VERY loud noise in the media, let me know. It's got me a very long way a number of times.

Dingdongler

Ali, I get the feeling you don't want to go into detail but can you tell us what the clause is that they are using to refuse the claim?

dpb

As far as im aware anything of this magnitude should be listed individuallly



I wonder whether house insurers are feeing the weight of illegal claims in the same way car insurers are ,in these straightened times

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Currently as the current situation is verbal. I have asked for it in writing to clarify. So until then I won't go into anymore detail other than its to do with the house's security. Take note of the security shutters in my pictures posted on the Kitchen thread - these are vulnerable points of entry...they were in place and locked at the time - it was never inadequate, as the break in was via a upstairs window (by breaking the glass via brute force).

You see, this is all about policy wording, the small print. I'm having to go through what I have in detail, then await the ins' co' to come up with their justification for their judgement to see if it tallys and even makes sense.

This is a big insurance company. A fully comprehensive cover with single items of up to £3K covered without the need to be individually itemised or valued (unless over that value). This is not the issue here. Although offering scrap value offered for stolen gold that has been properly valued, itemised and security marked is something that has been taken exception to.

The damage is another issue of contention. Obviously the window, but along with other stuff, I've had lipstick trodden into a brand new carpet (invoices to prove) and damaged furniture that I'd like repaired, not replaced. What has punched up the claim value is the insurance company's approved repairers going overboard on these costs. For example, the carpet cleaning costs are staggering. But that should not be me who should argue that....all I want is it to be fixed. Although that's moot now as the whole claim has been rejected.

Until I get the paperwork I'm left here waiting, seething, drinking, broiling, then sleeping. Repeat.

All I want is it to be sorted. Mainly the damage and stolen items. Sentimental stuff stolen is never going to be replaced, but its value is a compensation. I am entitled to that. Isn't that the whole point of having insurance!!??

Ombudsman is the last resort, but as a victim, I'm so tired of just simply making a justifiable claim, let alone fighting it. Its just more time, more stress. More crap that to be frank I cannot handle anymore. I just wonder if these companies know how far they can push an individual before they break? Is it intentional? What's the statistics for the people giving up and bowing down (completely or being pressured into accepting a reduced offer) and those that go the full hog and go to court and win?

wrx300scooby

Sorry to hear of your plight Ali, I hope it gets resolved sooner rather than later. It does confirm my thoughts about insurance being the biggest legal con out there unfortunately

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

Ali...

Thats what insurance companies want,for you to give up and waive the claim..

However stressful,please carry on until every avenue has been explored.


Insurance,bankers and solicitors all need burning,then dipping in acid then set on fire again.

Jamie

Crap news ALi