Insurance Help

Martynt74 · 28 Jan 2007 at 18:58

A while back i was walking home from the pub when confronted by 2 lads about 17 ish that said their mate had been hit and asked to use my phone to call the guys parents to pick them up. I'd had a couple and gave them the phone and they dialled away then turned and ran and jumped on a bus.

I'll readily admit it was a careless thing to do but it was a pretty dark path in the middle of nowhere and i didnt exactly feel like a fight if they got agressive.
Reported it to the insurance company aswell as to the police etc. And they've disputed the claim saying i'm not covered for loss.

The actual definition in the terms are "Theft - When someone unlawfully takes your equipment from you (or any person you have authorised to use/control your equipment).

I admit it wasn't taken from me as i handed it to them but doesn't the section in brackets cover my point?

Any pointers before i try and appeal?

Windle · 28 Jan 2007 at 19:09

The section in brackets means if you had loaned the phone to somebody for example if your brother had asked to borrow it, and you had agreed. Thereby authorising him to take and use your equipment and then if it was stolen you would be covered.

It doesn't mean that you give your phone to somebody who then steals it.... Unfortunately i don't think you'll get much if anything if you chase this, you were careless with your property and they won't be held liable for you in effect giving your phone away.

Samtheman1k · 29 Jan 2007 at 09:41

Marvt74 said:
(or any person you have authorised to use/control your equipment).

Interesting question. By loaning it to those kids, had you authorised them to use it?

Windle · 29 Jan 2007 at 09:52

Technically yes, but then somebody else didn't unlawfully take it from them, they just legged it.

charltonfan1 · 29 Jan 2007 at 09:59

that really soes suck and is unfair on you. Sorry dude!

Was on a coach the other day and a lady kept asking people to use their phone and a few people did. She told them that her battery was dead and she urgently needed to call her sister. I thought she maybe calling one of those really expensive numbers that make you money each time you call so i was wary of her (may have just been overcautious though)

Gaygle · 29 Jan 2007 at 11:40

TBH OP you probably should have just told a small lie about the phone. Should have said that you were on it outside the pub and a few youths ran past and snatched it out of your hand. No one can disprove it unless there are cameras (which they 99.999% sure won't even look at).

I don't really care about the whole "oh that pushes up everyones insurance" bs (unless its like car insurance or something), but at the end of the day, if i get a chance to make my £300 back for my phone, i don't care.

Also, probably not a good idea to lend your phone to 17 year old kids