TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY
We all have insurance hoping that we will never need to use it. However should the worst happen we hope that we are covered.
We all know that there are lots of ?get out clauses? within an insurance policy and that the insurance companies will only pay out on a genuine claim.
We, as agents always try our best to assist in a claim but there are occasions when we think ?they?re having a laugh!? and that the client is really trying to ?pull a fast one!!? Needless to say, these claims are generally refused.
On the other hand, there are claims which we consider genuine that are refused by the insurance company. In these cases we fight ?tooth and nail? to get our argument across and can usually agree at least a compromise between the client and the insurance company.
Here are some examples:-
Mrs D?s window smashed after a strong gust of wind blew through the house. The assessor visited, approved the claim and the client received the refund of the cost of the replacement glass within a week.
Mr S suffered a flood due to a burst pipe. He claimed for several expensive carpets and computer equipment. As he was unable to provide either receipts or photographic evidence of the damaged items, the insurance company refused to settle this part of the claim and only paid for the repair to the pipe.
Although the above is an extreme case, our advice is to keep receipts of any expensive items you purchase and take photos of your contents in situ. In this age of technology, it is not difficult to keep these records. You could consider scanning the receipts into the computer and it is very easy to keep your photos on file too. If possible, keep these records off the premises, for example, email them to a friend or relative. Heaven forbid, if a fire swept through your home, you are still able to prove what articles where lost.
This may seem a little extreme but it?s always better to ?be prepared?. How many of us have said ?if only I?d done that? at some point in our lives.
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