Burgled.

[tut]

Ian had a burglar in his house in Northfield Aberdeen on Saturday whilst he was watching TV with his friend George. George heard a noise and went out of the room to check, and saw a hoody running through the door and down the road. They had a quick check to see what had been taken, and realised that it included front, back, and shed keys. They called the police and reported it, then Ian called the Halifax as he has emergency cover to arrange for new locks to be fitted. He was told that it would take upto 48 hours or longer depending on the weather. He called a local locksmith who was around in 30 mins and replaced all locks, called the Halifax again and was told that he would have to pay for it himself as he had not waited for them. No way that they are getting away with that, but that was the least of it.

Ian called in again today to the police to tell them what was stolen, then the Halifax to register a claim. First thing that he was told was that he was not insured as it expired in February. As I had paid it and it was debited to my bank account, they then realised that they had made a mistake, and kindly informed him that he was covered after all. However they then quoted a clause in the policy that stated if there was a friend in the house who was not a family member, then he was not covered for theft. At this point he lost his rag and called me, so I took it over.

Same response when I called from the work experience nerd that they had taken on that week, not his fault though as I then went up the ladder to Supervisor, Senior Supervisor, then JC, but the same answer from all, the quote "if anyone other than a member of your family is in your home at the time of a theft or attempted theft, unless force or violence is used you will not be covered". I have the policy in front of me and that is exactly what it says in the small print.

So if you have a friend in your house, or maybe relations staying with you from Australia, unless your doors or windows are smashed in and you are beaten up, you will not be covered. Be interested if any of you have the same clause written into your policy, or were even aware of it. And this is the top policy that they provide, maximum cover for everything.

I am now awaiting for their complaints department to call me back before I take it to the Ombudsman, and I would think that there would be interest from the Press and TV as they love getting their teeth into the Insurance Industry.

All this for a few hundred quid as he has a £250 excess, so a payment would be peanuts, but no way am I letting this go.

tut

ps:- checked on who they included as a family member, and turns out that if I declare George as Ian's gay lover, then he will be covered.

[pete]

How is that anything other than an unfair term and condition? We go through periods where there are loads of folk staying! What about when Millie has a sleepover???

Same company as I had issues with. (HBOS)

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... ance+house

[andyc]

First mistake was moving to Northfield haha!
I can't believe Ian isn't actually gay
Joking aside....that is all rubbish for him and hope it all turns out well

[pete]

ps:- checked on who they included as a family member, and turns out that if I declare George as Ian's gay lover, then he will be covered.

So if Ian gets lucky one night is he covered?
I'd ask them to define "gay lover". In writing. Then start questioning the degree of physical congress they need to have enjoyed to qualify as lovers. And what proof they would require. You could claim to have suspected it but Ian is reluctant to confide in his father, as you are an old military man he worries how you would react.

Oh you could have fun for hours with that, just seeing how awkward you could make them feel.
Imagine the phone call to them...

"Right HBOS I've asked Ian - now he 'claims' that George has never wanked him off but they have masturbated simultaneously. Does that count? I mean that's what he's saying but I suspect there might be more to it - I can press him further if you want me too?
"You better send me a list of sexual acts that mean you consider them lovers. I mean some of things I've done to men, well it was sex but it wasn't love."
"It gets so lonely in the jungle."
"I missed my wife."
"DON'T JUDGE ME!! <sobs>."

Make sure you get it in writing.

[tut]

Nice one Pete, put in your own fashion. Makes you wonder if any one at the top ever looks at clauses like this and realises how ridiculous they are. Obviously not.

Would be interested at what our legal beagles on here thought, as obviously I am biased, but it seems to me that it could happen to anyone on here who made a similar claim.

tut

[robin]

Insurance companies exist to take your money and then keep it

Good luck.

[tut]

If they want to play games then they will lose.

They can not beat the ways and means act which will come into play if they turn down a legitimate claim.

tut

[sendmyusername]

Utter crap, sorry to hear about it.
Sale of goods act - must be fit for purpose - surely that policy fails ?
I'd be onto the papers, they pay up £200 for a decent story. That would cover your loses.
I always been with directline (i don't use their renewal) when I needed them it was basically blank cheque get it done, can't praise them enough

[sendmyusername]

P.s. Can't you sue them for descriminating against you for not being gay ?

[robin]

If they want to play games then they will lose.

They can not beat the ways and means act which will come into play if they turn down a legitimate claim.

tut

Except your claim is not legitimate ... absurd though that clause is, unless you can get it deleted or it becomes apparent that the scumbags broke in (as opposed to unlocked door, or open window) then Ian was not covered for that theft.

If you decide to bend the truth (e.g. the gay lover stuff) then you need to get this thread deleted ASAP ...

Cheers,
Robin

[tut]

Good point, that would have been a last resort, but will see what the Ombudsman has to say first.

We have used him before against the Halifax over our CC, and he found for us for all expenses, compensation, and an apology.

tut

[Sanjøy]

Firstly I hope Ian and George are happy together. Some coincidence this coming out at the same time as the stuff going on in the US Supreme courts.

When I read the quote you posted from the policy it sounded like mitigating against house parties?

Back in 98 I had my mobile pick pocketed from me. I was not covered as I did not put up a fight/challenge the thief. Quick letter to the chief exec as my claim was sorted as were the other policies. I reckon yet might bend the rules for you if there is a decent claim but doubt they would pull it.

S

[tut]

Just had a call from the Senior Custom Services Manager at Halifax apologising for the way the case has been handled, they are covering everything now, new locks and keys, the stolen items, and she asked me if I would accept £150 as compensation for the distress that I had gone through, and that was without even asking.

And that was without Ian actually having to come out of the closet.

tut

[robin]

Pleased to hear it ... I still think they're crooks, though! Now, what are you spending the cash on ... wheel bearings?

[tut]

Tis all Ian's Robin, so probably spent on his Audi TTS.

However I think that I will take my share of the gold Rolex Submariner that was nicked.

tut