Is State Insurance shafting me ??

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3puttssuck

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#61480 17-May-2010 19:08

My company supplied car was broken into last week at a local shopping mall (midday) and the turds stole several things. 8 months ago same thing but that time in my drive at home.

Called State Insurance to lodge a claim and was told that they would not cover 1 item ... my radar detector.

Hang on guys ... you did 8 months ago, what's changed ? "We made a mistake sorry, we could ask for the money back if you get difficult. WTF !!! Get me your supervisor."

So Mr supervisor what's up.

"Well, the Radar Detector is not covered by your Contents Policy because it's a Automotive Accessory. (Me) Yes, it is but, so is my GPS, that you are covering under my Contants Policy. Yes, correct but it is not an Automotive accessory because you can use it on foot or any other mode of transport. (Me) Now your being picky. Read your policy wording sir."

I calm down a touch and tell him I will read the policy and will call him back.

I find.... Contents covered for present value are.. Parts & Accessories of Motor Vehicles that are not in them or attached to them. !!!???

Further on I read... Accidental Loss...You're covered for sudden and accidental loss to the contents if loss happens during the period of cover while the contents are : In you home, or temporarily removed from the home for use anywhere else in New Zealand.

"Ok, make a claim under my Motor Policy then. No the Detector wasn't in your car sir, which relates to your policy."

So I put this to him... I'm cleaning the windscreen of my company car and take out the detector and place it on the footpath and a jogger runs past and picks it up.

He replies, Yes we would cover it under this circumstance. !!!???

So they won't budge on this and are will to send me some forms to fill out if I want to take it further.

Do I have a case or am I screwed. Maybe the insurance Ombudsman ?

Advise and thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks.

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#331018 17-May-2010 19:28

So it was in the company car? Very very odd that one, really hard to properly know how to handle it...

Does your company have car insurance? Maybe make a claim off that? State are a PITA to deal with and always have been. Worst insurance company imo, get rid of them, go for AA, Tower, AMI, anyone but State

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#331022 17-May-2010 19:36

vinnieg: So it was in the company car? Very very odd that one, really hard to properly know how to handle it...

Does your company have car insurance? Maybe make a claim off that? State are a PITA to deal with and always have been. Worst insurance company imo, get rid of them, go for AA, Tower, AMI, anyone but State

Yes, company car. They have a $1000 excess. State will be gone once I have it sorted.

fostercrif

30 posts

Geek

#331026 17-May-2010 19:45

I wish you luck with State Insurance but I found they can be hard nosed when it comes down to the letter of the policy.

I had been with State for ten years no claims (three cars and home contents). I had the misfortune to have a racing bike (pedal not motor) stolen about three months ago. The Bike cost me $3000.00 was in immaculate condition and i would have been able to sell it for at least $1800 - $2000.

According to State however the bike had depreciated by 90% as it was 5 yrs old and therefore they could pay me $300. With a $250 excess you can see where this left me, despite the fact I could get at least 2 bike shops who knew the bike to say how much it was worth they would not budge. What annoyed me most was that the local State Office knew I had a few expensive toys (Bikes and Kayaks) as they were listed separately and quite happily took my money knowing that effectively they were uninsured after 5 years

My fault I suppose but there was nothing on the policy other than the fact that sporting goods are subject to depreciation. I have since changed companies and have full replacement insurance.

I had a talk to a broker regarding the ombudsman and it sounds like it would have only been worth pursuing a claim if you can show that the terms of your insurance had not been fully disclosed (or had been misrepresented) at the time you took up your policy (like you can ask about every scenario). I wish you luck... perhaps Fair Go would be a better option. Like Banks, Insurance companies hate adverse publicity much more than a slap on the hand from the ombudsman.

corksta

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#331029 17-May-2010 19:49

Did your policy state you have to specify any items attached to your vehicle? Like expensive stereo systems, etc?

I don't mean to be a jerk but you can't use that example of a jogger picking up the detector and running away with it to compare it to your situation, because each claim is based on the circumstances at the time of the loss. An example is that if your leave you keys in your car parked on the road overnight and the car is taken then you won't be covered because that's not a normal thing to do, whereas if you leave them in your car parked on a petrol station forecourt while you duck in to grab a pie and someone takes the car then you'd probably find you'd still be covered as that is a fairly normal/accepted behaviour.

You could always ring up a couple other insurance companies and ask them how they deal with the loss of detectors.

SNicolle

539 posts

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#331036 17-May-2010 20:02

Insurance ombudsman might be your answer

Regs

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Snowflake

#331072 17-May-2010 21:11

fostercrif:

I had been with State for ten years no claims (three cars and home contents). I had the misfortune to have a racing bike (pedal not motor) stolen about three months ago. The Bike cost me $3000.00 was in immaculate condition and i would have been able to sell it for at least $1800 - $2000.

According to State however the bike had depreciated by 90% as it was 5 yrs old and therefore they could pay me $300.

many insurance companies have a depreciation policy for items. AA contents gives you "new for old" on their policy so i'd recommend them. AMI had a policy upgrade that gives you 'new for old', but it excluded sports equip.

I've made 3 claims(*) with AA over the last 10-15 years, or whatever, and they've been brilliant each time.

(*) claims included snowboard stolen from car, digi camera destroyed when underwater enclosure leaked during a dive trip

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graemeh

2078 posts

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#331078 17-May-2010 21:18

You probably need to fill in the forms and go through their process.

If that doesn't work I assume you can still take them to the disputes tribunal. It won't cost you much money and at the very least you will take up a lot of their time.

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lxsw20

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#331128 17-May-2010 23:05

c71931f: Clic insurance cover things like radar detectors..which is good, since mine is a Valentine One.
Maybe have a look at changing to them?:)

Clic = AMI high risk stuff. And charge as such excess wise.

bazzer

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#331146 17-May-2010 23:58

You could go to the ISO, but I wouldn't bother. It's pretty clear cut.

Your contents cover, generally speaking, covers you for items that are normally in your home. That might include your GPS unit, but wouldn't include your radar detector, obviously.

Your MVI only covers the insured vehicle, not your company car.

You could go to Fair Go, but they generally only go for feel good stories (my mum died and she didn't disclose on her application form but she died of an unrelated thing, why shouldn't we get a pay out?). I don't think "I had my radar detector stolen from my company car" would cut it. Also, I consider it a bit of a dick move when you're in the wrong and you only go to Fair Go to use the negative publicity to guilt the company into paying out.

Why not hit your company up for it?

scuwp

3885 posts

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#331174 18-May-2010 08:22

SNicolle: Insurance ombudsman might be your answer

I am pretty sure the ombudsman will only deal with complaints around things like misrepresentation by the insurer, or non-disclosure of policy details etc leading to a loss.

Like everything if you disagree with the contract (policy) you should go somewhere else...and I would suggest as far away from State as you can possibly go. Can't blame the insurer however if you didn't read or understand the policy.

My vote is if you can't live with the desicion, then the small claims tribunal may be your best bet, they tend to be less pedantic on interpretation and apply a bit more common sense (most times anyway)

If they catch the little prick that did this you may be able to ask for reparation?

Good luck.

bazzer

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#331182 18-May-2010 08:43

scuwp: I am pretty sure the ombudsman will only deal with complaints around things like misrepresentation by the insurer, or non-disclosure of policy details etc leading to a loss.

Not at all. According to its website, the ISO can consider a complaint about a company if it relates to...

house, contents, vehicle, travel, health, income protection, mortgage protection, critical illness, life insurance and superannuation

Claims not in excess of $200,000, or $1,000 per week for a disability benefit (unless a claim has been accepted but a dispute arises over an amount which does not exceed the limits or unless by agreement with the company)

policy interpretation

claims made by, or on behalf of, the policy holder

the amount payable under a claim

small business claims

However, the ISO cannot consider complaints about...

awards of compensation or damages

commercial or business insurance, except small business claims

third party or uninsured losses

premiums, charges, excesses, returns, underwriting decisions

financial advisers and brokers

complaints which are, or have been, the subject of proceedings in another forum e.g. a decision has already been made in the courts

So, I'd say he'd be pretty safe going to the ISO, I just don't think they would find in his favour. I don't see any way that he can think any of his insurance should pay out on this. Bear in mind that in 2008/2009, 69% of complaints were not upheld. The ISO is not a magic bullet against insurance companies.

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#331618 18-May-2010 21:49

bazzer: [...]

Your contents cover, generally speaking, covers you for items that are normally in your home. That might include your GPS unit, but wouldn't include your radar detector, obviously.

Your MVI only covers the insured vehicle, not your company car. [...]

This may sound like an attempt at trolling but it's an honest question.
What if my car spends most of its time in a garage and something happens similar to OP's case.

With regards to the current topic, I guess the only solution is to vote with your feet.

Regs

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Snowflake

#331669 18-May-2010 23:16

bazzer:

Your MVI only covers the insured vehicle, not your company car.

and in some cases, it doesnt cover the insured vechicle if its a personal vehicle and you're using it for work.

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richms

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#331699 19-May-2010 00:36

If it wasnt attached to the car when parked then how can they exclude it as being attached to the car?

If it was attached to the car then IMO it shouldnt be covered since leaving something out like that isnt due care.

Richard rich.ms

bazzer

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#331724 19-May-2010 08:02

richms: If it wasnt attached to the car when parked then how can they exclude it as being attached to the car?

If it was attached to the car then IMO it shouldnt be covered since leaving something out like that isnt due care.

It's not the fact of whether or not it's "attached" to the car. It belongs in the car. It's only use is in the car. It's a car accessory, like a car stereo. You wouldn't expect your contents cover to cover your car stereo, would you?

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