Insurance co declined claim

[deweyzeph]

Nothing about All Risks or Household. I use it for a music server, and it does not leave the house. The answer was "It was not stolen, since you have it". A said again, it was ok until this fellow took it out the house, and they repeat the same answer.

The cops wanted to know if I had given him permission to trespass, break open the door, damaging the lock and rummage around inside, and expected an answer. He has 14 counts of burglary on his criminal record, so is well versed in burglary. They had to release him since he could not be arrested, having done no crime

The problem is that the laptop was damaged outside your home not inside. All risks is meant to cover theft and damage outside the house. The fact that the laptop was stolen inside your house is immaterial. If you're claiming for damage to the laptop then the problem is you're not covered for damage that occurred outside your house. Now if the laptop was damaged inside your house then that would be a different story and your normal contents insurance should cover that.

 

[RanzB]

The problem is that the laptop was damaged outside your home not inside. All risks is meant to cover theft and damage outside the house. The fact that the laptop was stolen inside your house is immaterial. If you're claiming for damage to the laptop then the problem is you're not covered for damage that occurred outside your house. Now if the laptop was damaged inside your house then that would be a different story and your normal contents insurance should cover that.

This makes sense in a weasel, insurance company sort of way.

 

[deweyzeph]

This makes sense in a weasel, insurance company sort of way.

That's why if someone steals you laptop from your house and you don't have all risks cover you better hope it's never found otherwise you're going to get it back, likely damaged, and your contents insurance won't want to hear anything about it.

 

[RanzB]

That's why if someone steals you laptop from your house and you don't have all risks cover you better hope it's never found otherwise you're going to get it back, likely damaged, and your contents insurance won't want to hear anything about it.

I get you. I think I'm covered for damage too though. Need to check. Thanks

 

[LazyLion]

The problem is that the laptop was damaged outside your home not inside. All risks is meant to cover theft and damage outside the house. The fact that the laptop was stolen inside your house is immaterial. If you're claiming for damage to the laptop then the problem is you're not covered for damage that occurred outside your house. Now if the laptop was damaged inside your house then that would be a different story and your normal contents insurance should cover that.

Yeah, this says it better than I was trying to explain. If it had simply been taken - and now it was gone, they would probably have paid out under the "first loss" cover... up to the limit - I think it's about R50,000 these days for "first loss".

BUT, given that it was recovered there was no need to pay out on first loss.

Furthermore, given that it was damaged OUTSIDE the house, this is not covered under "first loss" - it should be covered under ALL RISKS -but unfrotunately for OP he wasn't covered for that.

 

[RanzB]

****ing insurance companies

 

[desiganp]

The item was stolen from inside OP's house and removed from his property. The act of theft has then been completed. This is not attempted theft but theft.

The fact that the item was recovered later does not make the crime committed "attempted theft", it is still theft. It should not matter where the item was damaged, the origin of the crime was OP's house which then means the item should be covered by OP's insurance.

It's as ridiculous as a scenario where a vehicle is stolen and later recovered by a tracking company but the insurer then states any damage is not covered since the vehicle has been recovered. Or the police refuse to open a charge because the vehicle has been recovered.

OP try to escalate this within Santam before contacting the Ombudsman : 0860 102 725 (Santam complaints)

 

[airborne]

Nope. A laptop is a portable device no matter where it is. Should always be under all risks. It's not about where it goes but rather how easy it is to steal.

That's not true, it'll have full cover when at home excluding accidental damage, all risks is extra for out and about and accidental.

 

[airborne]

The item was stolen from inside OP's house and removed from his property. The act of theft has then been completed. This is not attempted theft but theft.

The fact that the item was recovered later does not make the crime committed "attempted theft", it is still theft. It should not matter where the item was damaged, the origin of the crime was OP's house which then means the item should be covered by OP's insurance.

It's as ridiculous as a scenario where a vehicle is stolen and later recovered by a tracking company but the insurer then states any damage is not covered since the vehicle has been recovered. Or the police refuse to open a charge because the vehicle has been recovered.

OP try to escalate this within Santam before contacting the Ombudsman : 0860 102 725 (Santam complaints)

Vehicle is covered because it's all risks cover.

Parents are covered by Santam, they are amazing, they pay out without even thinking, it's a bit of a joke but there it is.

Must be the broker thats amazing because that seems to be the person who make a the call to pay out or not, that's on smaller under R10k claims which the majority of theirs have been, is that the case?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Both my laptops and cellphones was stolen from home when someone broke in and I definitely did it specify it separately. It was covered under normal household contents.

Same here, had old cellphones in my cupboard and a PSP that were stolen.

Paid out no problem.

A laptop stolen from your home should be covered under normal household.

Only requires specified out and about cover of it leaves the house.

 

[the eskimo]

There's too much misinformation in this thread.

All Risks Cover

You would only purchase this cover for items you take out of your house regularly. As the name implies, all risks are covered (apart from a few exclusions).

Householders Cover

This is for items that never leave your home. This is a specified risk cover, ie it lists the perils you are covered for (Fire/Theft with forced entry/robbery/flood/accidental damage (sub-limited and/or additional premium) etc, ie it is not "all risks"). Cover is restricted to when items are at the risk address.

In OPs case

He is correct to insure his macbook pro under the contents/HH section of his policy and not the all risks section as he does not take it out of the house. Some policies will require you to specify these type of items in the schedule or submit an inventory of your household contents, but it is not a requirement for most insurers.

The item was stolen (an insured peril), and the items were subsequently recovered in a damaged state. He should be covered for this loss. I would start with an official complaint to the insurer and failing which, approach the ombudsman. You will succeed with your claim eventually.

By the way, if you are with Santam, you are most likely insured through a broker, why are they not fighting this for you?

 

[ToxicBunny]

Lodge the claim with the Ombudsman and such... The laptop was stolen, and then recovered. The fact that it was damaged outside the property is irrelevant actually, it was stolen, and once recovered was in an unusable state therefore the insurance company must pay.

 

[LazyLion]

The item was stolen from inside OP's house and removed from his property. The act of theft has then been completed. This is not attempted theft but theft.

The fact that the item was recovered later does not make the crime committed "attempted theft", it is still theft. It should not matter where the item was damaged, the origin of the crime was OP's house which then means the item should be covered by OP's insurance.

It's as ridiculous as a scenario where a vehicle is stolen and later recovered by a tracking company but the insurer then states any damage is not covered since the vehicle has been recovered. Or the police refuse to open a charge because the vehicle has been recovered.

OP try to escalate this within Santam before contacting the Ombudsman : 0860 102 725 (Santam complaints)

Yep, you are correct. I checked with my broker last night and showed him this thread.
He said the triggering event was theft inside the house with forcible entry.
Samtam should have paid out up to the specified limits for First Loss.

 

[airborne]

Hope the op comes right, keep us posted, the Internet unites to conquer the overlords

 

[Hemi300c]

Tell Santam and your broker to pull their heads out their asses and pay the claim. It's covered on their std policy and unless specifically excluded should be paid.