Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Hi
Sorry to hear of your problems, but regarding loss of "unattended" does your policy define "unattended"?
I assume you do have "All risks" cover (a misnomer if ever!)
As a general rule "unattended" means you are not close enough to prevent the theft happening, although some will argue for "in plain sight".
Some insurers (not all) will argue that as you did not notice the theft the items were unattended, but of course one does not notice a proficient pickpocket removing a wallet from your inside pocket so that argument is to be challenged.
If you could post up what insurer and what policy I'll look for a copy online to see if I can help further.

Thanks, that's very kind. However as the insurer is very small if I were to post the name here it would show up on google. So for the moment I want to give them a chance and see what they claim. However the wording does give examples of leaving unattended in a public place as in train stations. Google shows the company to have positive comments from those who have had to claim. So I'll wait and see what happens.

[des8]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

That's fine.
If you need help, don't hesitate to come back

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Just a small update. The police have closed the case but
will look into it again if anything new comes up.

And it looks like my insurance will help me out. I spoke to them and they said they will probably cover it. Just got to see if I can find recepts for all the bits now.

[MissFM]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Good luck, BBP! :hug: xx

[des8]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Good news then, thanks for the update

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

One quick question. I've just done some maths and might have made a mistake. When I took out the policy they asked me for the value. I worked out the price I paid. However they have told me which supplier they use... And it will leave me underinsured. Is that my problem or there's? Can I just say send me a cheque and I'll sort it our if you don't want to pay those silly prices?

[des8]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Not quite sure what property you have lost, nor what your policy wording is.
If it is "new for old" clearly you receive new goods.
.
If it is on an indemnity basis the insurer should pay you the current value of the lost items i.e. what you paid less any depreciation through wear and tear. They may suggest doing this by giving you new, but asking for a contribution to reflect "betterment". They will probably obtain discount terms from the supplier, so it should be the price they pay that determines the final figures, not the prices shown on the suppliers website.

The insurers probably have the right to either replace the goods or pay the cash value. If you don't want to make a "betterment" contribution and the replacement costs are higher then the policy indemnity, the insurers would have to make a cash payment.

There are too many unknowns at the moment to be any more definite, but as they appear to have accepted the claim things will probably work out to your satisfaction.
There is no mileage in anticipating the worst at this stage and becoming over concerned.
Just wait and see, (as Asquith used to say) and if necessary we can help you renegotiate a settlement.

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Not quite sure what property you have lost, nor what your policy wording is.
If it is "new for old" clearly you receive new goods.
.
If it is on an indemnity basis the insurer should pay you the current value of the lost items i.e. what you paid less any depreciation through wear and tear. They may suggest doing this by giving you new, but asking for a contribution to reflect "betterment". They will probably obtain discount terms from the supplier, so it should be the price they pay that determines the final figures, not the prices shown on the suppliers website.

The insurers probably have the right to either replace the goods or pay the cash value. If you don't want to make a "betterment" contribution and the replacement costs are higher then the policy indemnity, the insurers would have to make a cash payment.

There are too many unknowns at the moment to be any more definite, but as they appear to have accepted the claim things will probably work out to your satisfaction.
There is no mileage in anticipating the worst at this stage and becoming over concerned.
Just wait and see, (as Asquith used to say) and if necessary we can help you renegotiate a settlement.

its new for old. You are right though no point in worrying about things that might happen.

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Just a small update. The police have closed the case but will look into it again if anything new comes up.

And it looks like my insurance will help me out. I spoke to them and they said they will probably cover it. Just got to see if I can find recepts for all the bits now.

What you say in the first sentence of your post is quite normal where there is not a good prospect of apprehending an offender. However, it is standard practice for the police to keep a theft involving goods of high value on file and opening the file again if a case comes to light which is of a similar nature to that of the incident in your case.

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Update for all of you who advised me. Today my claim was settled. I was slightly underinsured (well I wasn't but I am at their suppliers prices!) so they have agreed to put the money on account with the supplier and I can pick what I want. After all my worrying I got £5k minus the £150 excess to get my back on my feet. So overall it worked out okay for me.

I also got the option to buy myself and send in the receipts to get everything back. But I don't have £5 grand in cash that I am willing to tie up at the moment. So overall this worked really well for me.

I feel frivolous spending that on photography equipment now I'm not earning. But I am excited for the postman to come tomorrow.

The insurance company were amazing - if anyone wants a recommendation for photographic or videomaking insurance just give me a shout.

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

That is excellent news. I am glad things have worked out well for you.

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

That is excellent news. I am glad things have worked out well for you.

Thanks - your advice was really helpful.

I honestly didn't think they would cover it using a get out clause - but the insurers were brilliant.

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Which insurance company is it?

[bigbigproblems]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

Which insurance company is it?

Aaduki. They are more expensive than house insurance - but worked out well for me. Unless my premium is silly I will definately be using them again.

The only note I'd give to people is - when you "value" any equipment value it at the price on Wex Photographic.

Like most people I brought a lot of my stuff whilst abroad and second hand. So I assumed those were the prices to quote.

[bluebottle]

Re: Police coming tonight and I feel sick... Is this normal?

I can't say I have heard of Aaduki. I have heard of Aon, a Dutch insurer who specialises in film and television production risks. However, in the film and tv production sector, most production companies and independent producers go through specialist brokers who get some really great deals. One I have come across is a Wide Angle Policy, which covers every conceivable risk. Such policies may be available for photographers. Towergate is an insurance broker who covers photographic, film and tv production risks.