Zurich the cheating tarts

[Mark C]

Dont go with Zurich insurance...


We got burgled back in February and we still have not be paid out!!!!

They are even arguing that my son should have kept a finacial record of his pocket money (he is 9 now and was saving up for a game consol - he is also autistic!!)

My wifes Rolex that was given to her by her now deceased grandma, as they cant confirm if its real its classed as near worthless!!

We did not get hit hard as my wife thought It was me downstairs and shouted out to me. but thats not the point.

5 Months and being offered a pitance that barely covers one item let alone what was stolen!!!

Feels like were being burgled again!!!

[fishyheid]

Have you thought about getting a lawyer onto them. I would think that there would have to be an element of 'reasonableness' in the contract. Also if they weren't clear that you HAD to specify certain things then that may not allow them to limit their liability.
Did they accept the Rolex as a listed item? If so...

Insurance is, to a certain degree, a contract. They have to hold up their end.

There are people who are more qualified than me can comment on this but it is worth a punt I suspect.

[nickb]

Originally Posted by Mark C

Dont go with Zurich insurance...

You have my sympathy Mark, but I doubt that any insurance company would take someone's word that they had an antique Rolex stolen without at least some sort of valuation report.

Thanks to all the cheating scumbags that load up their insurance claims or even make them up completely, insurance companies now require a little more evidence. You can't blame them for that.

[Fiona]

Not with Zurich for house but just about to phone for a quote on a new car.

My household insurance wanted items over £1200 listing and I have a ring which the also wanted an insurance valuation on, so I am afraid if the Rolex wasn't listed you can't blame them.

I got fed up paying the premiums on the ring which had to be in a safe when not worn so it is at a jewelers in the hope someone wants to buy it.

[TerryH]

In 25 years I've never claimed on my house insurance.

Does that mean I dont bother with professional valuations, receipts and
photos?

Nope.

[Arfie]

As others have said at least some evidence of it's existance and value would be required and although it seems harsh when you are honest, it's not unreasonable given the number of dishonest people who fraudulently try to claim for things or exagerate the value of things.

The horse has bolted for you, but I always advise people that even if an insurer doesn't want a detailed list of valuables at inception, give it to them anyway. Include descriptions, valuations, serial numbers even photos where possible so they know IN ADVANCE what you have. If you are unlucky enough to have to make a claim in future, they have the details already.

I'm with Zurich for my car insurance and despite all my contacts from 19 years in the insurance/financial services industry I have stuck with them following the way they dealt with a claim. Even though I could have saved money each year over the last 5 years, I valued the way they dealt with my claim including giving me details of where a replacement vehicle could be purchased for the amount they offered me in the write off

The sons financial records thing is a load of lobbox though!

Despite all that I have said above, I'd send them a written complaint advising them of your dissapointment and ask them to review the claim again or you will be forced to complain to the ombudsman. If the rolex was a fake, then it shouldn't be "near worthless", IMO it should actually be worthless they shouldn't pay out a penny for counterfit and therefore illegal goods, so maybe there's an angle there.

Good luck
Arfie

[Simon TW]

Hiscox are fantastic, I know that they may not be the cheapest but if you need insurance then you have to expect to pay. Hiscox sent a guy round who looked at all my stuff took pictures checked the security and then he gave me a fire blanket.

Never had a problem and they are happy with several CCR units.


Zurich, now there is another story 6 years on and I'm still trying to sort a claim, I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire...

[Mark C]

I did send a photo of the watch - well it was a massivly blown up one from a photo of my wife wearing it!!! - the only clear photos of it (I know I forgot to take pics of it) - but unfortunatly they could not conclusivly say if it was a real one (which as I pointed out also means they did not prove it was not real) - it seems somewhere durring the watches life someone had possibly changed the gold bracelet (well the watch was about 70 years old!!) - all we knew was this was the watch that my wife was given by her grandma.

There was never a paper trail of it as My wifes Gran gave it to her a little while before she died.

They are looking into the watch again and seeing if there is room for improvement.

They are also waiving the 10% deduction from the Cash that was stolen - so nice of them!!

I am crap at keeping receipts for stuff I bought a day ago let alone years ago!!.

I think I may have to go around the house with Todays Paper and take loads of Pics of stuff - for the just in case senario.