TV Insurance Claim

[madagascar]

Hi, Please can anyone advise me on my Insurance Claim, details below;

I have a claim running with the Nationwide.
My Television (Philips 32PW9763) brought about 8 years ago cost me £2,000 at the time.
This was an all singing all dancing model, with splitscreen picture in picture, dual tuners
9 speaker, not including the build in subwoofer. Amazing picture and sound.

During a lighting storm the TV, stopped working.

When I put the claim in with letter from Engineer confirming the unit was unrepairable.

They first said that my television was CRT, and the nearest suitable item was a JVC LCD
Television worth £300 approx.

I was not happy with this, and asked him how he thought this was match for mines.

Then when he checked the specs and found it didn't have all the feature mines had,
he then found a Philips Television (32PF****) which was approx £500.

When I took the spec for this and found that it didn't have all the features either.
He found another model (32PF9731) which was £765 plus VAT.
He or Empire Direct (they company they use to replace items) didn't have a clue about my Television, and I was getting frustrated that they were finding a replacement without even knowing what feature mines had.

So the person at Nationwide then told me to find one I thought had all the features of my previous one
and they would see.

I found a model which has all those feature it is Phillips 32PF9830 rrp approx £2000
They are saying that this model is an upgrade to the one I had, and offering me the Philips 32PF9731 £765 model.

Now when I try to find someone technical (e.g. philips consumer line) who can confirm this, they don't seem to know about the models.
Speaking to some friends they say that the model they are offering is a downgrade to the one I had.

I have argued this point with them, but they insist that is their final offer, and that I should write to Churchill, which I don't see why since it is Nationwide who I am paying and are dealing with the claim.

The key here seems to be that mines had a dual tuner for the split screen. and they one they are offering doesn't.
Any advice on this would be very helpful.
Thanks

[craigwalton]

Print off all the specification from the damaged TV - the Philips 32PW9763, print off the specifications with the TV they are offering to replace - Philips 32PF9731 .

Highlight the features your old TV has, which the replacement has not, and write to Churchill advising this is not a like for like replacement due to the highlights. remind them that you consider a Phillips 32PF9830 to be of equivalent.

Good Luck, although looking at the specs I suspect they may ask you to contribute towards it, as it does seem betterment.

Regards

[madagascar]

Thanks for your advise Craig.

Regards

Madagascar

Remember your insurance covers you for new for old and of similar spec- refer to your policy wording. Underwriters can offer you lower spec if it is within reason, same way they can offer you a better spec at their discretion (very unlikely) but it depends on individual underwriting criteria.

Even though Nationwide are your Insurers, Churchill are the Underwriters and your claim is being dealt with by Churchill employees......Nationwide is just the branding.

Good luck

TG