Insurance Policy Wording

timebomb26 · 15 Jul 2014 at 06:10

Long story short I got caught in a flash heavy downpour over the weekend and got completely soaked. One minute sunshine, then the next minute all hell broke lose.

Ipod managed to survive but iPhone 5 seems dead. Dried it off as quickly as possible and put it in rice when I got home. I've not yet tried it yet and will give it a day or two more.

If it is a goner I'd like to try and claim it on insurance and here, in classic insurance fashion, is where things get vague.

The policy wording is as follows:

Damaged as a result of:
c) fire, elemental occurrences, force majeure

Now I'm hoping it will be covered under one of the last two, but I'm sure there is probably some kind of clause that makes my claim invalid.

I was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences with insurance companies and how it went?

[FnG]magnolia · 15 Jul 2014 at 06:14

What's the preceeding part before (c)? Is it an exemption clause?

e: there may be a requirement for you to act 'appropriately' for any claim to be successful. This may be calling them to report the problem, taking expert advice or doing anything else stipulated in your agreement.

Efour · 15 Jul 2014 at 06:20

Loose.

Tom0 · 15 Jul 2014 at 06:35

Sorry sir your phone isn't insured for being filled with rice.

timebomb26 · 15 Jul 2014 at 07:10

[FnG]magnolia;26607791 said:
What's the preceeding part before (c)? Is it an exemption clause?

e: there may be a requirement for you to act 'appropriately' for any claim to be successful. This may be calling them to report the problem, taking expert advice or doing anything else stipulated in your agreement.

Here is the appropriate section:

The section above this covers luggage/items left in locked vehicles and checked baggage. Below this it discusses items that aren't covered. I also can't see anything about how to proceed 'appropriately'.

DJ_Bucho · 15 Jul 2014 at 07:17

Personally I'd just ring up the insurance company and tell them exactly what happened, they will instantly tell you if the phone is covered or not.

Sin_Chase · 15 Jul 2014 at 07:28

Hang on...

Travel Insurance....are you travelling?

There are SOOO many get out clauses in travel insurance.

1 - What is "All other travel periods" defined as
2 - What is "luggage" defined as. Are personal belongings considered luggage?
3 - What is the maximum value per item? From what I can see you are only covered for 50% of the insured sum on a mobile phone.
4 - Is this household insurance, travel insurance, other?

Basically, even if you are covered. You are screwed to the tune of 50% of the value of your phone + excess.

Rather crappy policy!

timebomb26 · 15 Jul 2014 at 08:15

Sin_Chase said:
Hang on...

Travel Insurance....are you travelling?

There are SOOO many get out clauses in travel insurance.

1 - What is "All other travel periods" defined as
2 - What is "luggage" defined as. Are personal belongings considered luggage?
3 - What is the maximum value per item? From what I can see you are only covered for 50% of the insured sum on a mobile phone.
4 - Is this household insurance, travel insurance, other?

Basically, even if you are covered. You are screwed to the tune of 50% of the value of your phone + excess.

Rather crappy policy!

1. I assume any other time excluding claims for items in locked vehicle or checked baggage.
2. Any and all personal items and effects of the insured during the term of the policy as well as gifts and souvenirs shall be deemed insured luggage.
3. Indeed only 50% of the value, but considering the phone cost 1yen and new they're 450 odd quid, I'll take it!
4. Travel insurance. I'm currently traveling and living in Japan.