Business insurance still refusing to pay out

[MrsGem]

Hi there,

I haven't been here for AGES! Running 2 businesses really eats into your time!

I am back again as my business insurer is being a complete ass and refusing to pay out.

On December 23rd I was at a clients premises (open indoor market) and 2 thieves worked together and managed to steal my mobile using distraction methods. Security and the police were called immediately and I traced the phone within 15 minutes using an app. The police completely ignored all of that and told me to contact my insurer giving me a crime number.

I called my insurer immediately told them what had happened and asked to claim for the phone (£500 worth). They said it would be processed by the new year, because of Christmas and the new year. January 6th I call again to be told as there was no violence involved my claim was being declined! I jokingly said if I'd had the s**t kicked out of me would the claim be valid to be told yes! Apparently according to this insurance company theft is only theft if violence is involved!

I've been contesting it ever since as reading through the entire 65 page policy document I don't even believe that I was covered for what I asked specifically to be covered for! I asked that I be covered for loss/theft or damage especially as I go to clients premises regularly. The only part of my policy that seems to come close to that is the 'goods in transit' clause but even that isn't very clear cut.

They have written me a letter now stating that they have made their final decision and my next step is the ombudsman. I need help please!!!! I have attached my policy documents.

Gem1_policy_summary.pdf1_policy_wording_misc.pdf

[bluebottle]

Re: Business insurance still refusing to pay out

It's pretty obvious to me that the muppet in the Claims Department at your insurers needs a good hard kick up their backside and a beating round the head with Stones Justices Manual. I am a retired police officer (uniform and CID) and can assure you - and the muppet - that you have been the victim of Theft per se. Theft involving violence is Robbery. I'd go back to your insurers and go straight to the CEO. Tell them you have consulted with a retired police officer and ask them to specify exactly where in the policy it specifically excludes loss of business property by Theft. It would be wise to point out that Theft involving violence is Robbery, not Theft.

In your letter, remind the insurer that the Ombudsman will charge them £500 if the matter is referred, on top of anything they may have to pay to you. Let us know how you get on.

[MrsGem]

Re: Business insurance still refusing to pay out

Thank you for that Bluebottle,

They say in the policy document it says:
We exclude or limit cover for the following
-theft unless by violent and forcible entry or exit .
- Theft cover for property in the open

Then they say on policy page 20 it says:
PD6.0 Exclusions
PD6.3 Damage caused by or arising directly from theft or attempted theft
(a) not involving
(i) breaking into or out of the buildings of the premises by forcible and violent means or
(ii) robbery or attempted robbery commited in the premises.

This makes no sense to me at all.

It seems to imply to me that the policy wasn't even suitable for what I needed it for.

They have also told me that I have to go to the ombudsman and I haven't got a clue where to start.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Business insurance still refusing to pay out

Use your accounts on facebook and linkedin to tell everyone that the insurers are rubbish.

[MrsGem]

Re: Business insurance still refusing to pay out

Already done that....I need to know how to get the greedy lying toerags to pay out!!

[CleverClogs]

Re: Business insurance still refusing to pay out

It's pretty obvious to me that the muppet in the Claims Department at your insurers needs a good hard kick up their backside and a beating round the head with Stones Justices Manual. I am a retired police officer (uniform and CID) and can assure you - and the muppet - that you have been the victim of Theft per se. Theft involving violence is Robbery. I'd go back to your insurers and go straight to the CEO. Tell them you have consulted with a retired police officer and ask them to specify exactly where in the policy it specifically excludes loss of business property by Theft. It would be wise to point out that Theft involving violence is Robbery, not Theft.

Perhaps the reason why they wrongly define theft in that way is that they never resort to fisticuffs? :tinysmile_hmm_t2: