Insurance Cops or Cop Outs?

On Thursday Channel 4 ran the first part of a documentary called 'Scams, Fiddles and Honest Claims' about the insurance company inverstigators who investigate fraudulent insurance claims.

Well, I've been on the flip side and seen how insurance companies dishonestly make every effort NOT to pay out to honest claiments (see my previous blog entry).

Because of this I thought it might be a good idea to give my top tips on how to prepare yourself in case the unthinkable happens and you have your snowboard gear stolen.

1. Save all your receipts

Despite what your insurance company tells you, they will not accept any other proof of what items cost you, even when the invade your privacy and demand bank and credit card statements... and believe me they will demand copies!

2. Photograph all your gear, especially serial numbers

Get hold of a digital camera and photograph all your snowboarding gear, clothing and anything else valuable BEFORE you go away. Keep lots of copies of your photos and keep them stored safely and backed up somewhere (if you have webmail, you can always email them to yourself which will date them too!)

Obviously do not put the photos online somewhere public ... especially the photos which include serial numers of items.

3. Get someone to photograph you riding

It helps even more if you have proof of the gear being used by your's truly. Insurance companies treat claiments like liars and crooks by default but they sound like they're being nice to you while they do it.

4. If the premium is too cheap to be true, it probably is

Any insurance company can offer ridiculously cheap premiums if they have no intention of paying out. Better to pay more and be protected in the knowledge that the company you have chosen is reputable.

5. Go with a company recommended by someone who has used them before

If you can, try get a recommendation from someone you trust who has used that insurance company before - ideally someone who has had to go through a claim with them.

6. Don't hide anything

This is especially true with insurance claims that might have to cover hospital bills if you get hurt. Don't give them any excuse to withold payment later by claiming you didn't disclose any prior medical condition. If you tell them upfront, you can still get insurance in case you get hurt in an accident on the mountain.

7. Don't use Insure And Go

This is only my personal opinion but when I tried to claim for my stolen snowboard bag and all its contents, no amount of evidence was good enough. Everytime I provided them with what they asked for, they just asked for something else, more and more until so many months had gone bythat I practically lost the will to live.

Not only have I never received a penny, they have never actually given me an answer on my claim one way or the other.

They have never ever contacted me without prior provocation to ask what was happening with my claim.

You can't blame an insurance company because someone steals or loses your valuables but I think it speaks volumes about a company's good will (or lack if it) in the way they try to remedy your situation.


8. Don't book a holiday with Air Tours

Not exactly an insurance tip but in the case of lost or stolen goods, you will have to rely on your holiday company to provide proof or evidence.

I think the reps they employed in Livigno were crooks (see my last blog entry) and even if I can't prove it, they tried to intimidate me into accepting liability for my own stolen iems that they 'lost'.

Even if the company were unaware of their employees actions, they did nothing to remedy the situation, which speaks volumes about their integrity.