Hi

A bit of a shock as this is the first time this has happened to us and don't know the next step. So far this is what I have done below and also this is what I have told the insurance company.

I know from reading on here that the insurance companies can be difficult and anything to help and speed things up will be grateful.

Yesterday afternoon we were burgled and the theifs broke in through the back door glass(Toughned Glass) to gain access. They climbed in and out from here.

Police were called and arrived, they told us not to go into the rooms as there was foot prints and fingerprints on the glass doors and in the bedroom floor and the living room floor.

I rung the insurance company and told them that we were advised not to go into the rooms as SOCO needed to take the prints and the only thing that I can see physically is the TV missing which my 5 yr old daughter noticed when she came in from school.

The police officer and I walked upstairs and 3 out of 5 bedrooms had the wardrobes opened and things thrown on the floor.

Now my insurance company said that the loss adjuster would call in about three days to discuss. Who is this and what do I have to do.

Thanks

Now my insurance company said that the loss adjuster would call in about three days to discuss. Who is this...

A loss adjuster is someone who evaluates the damage caused to your property when an insurance claim is made.

...and what do I have to do.

Make a list of all damage, missing items and everything that has caused you to sustain a financial loss. Hand it to the loss adjuster when he arrives.

Oh ash4197. How terrible. I'm sorry that this has happened to you

When making your claim don't forget to add to the list the plasma telly you where looking after for me and my diamond necklace:p

Hope you got the receipts. The loss adjuster might ask for a statement from you and sworn before a Notary Public.

Hi thanks for the replys, wino I have added you plama TV and a dimond necklase on top of the list.

10110001

Hope you got the receipts

Got some reciepts but some of the stuff I won't have reciept for, what happens then.

thanks

Got some reciepts but some of the stuff I won't have reciept for, what happens then.

The insurance company probably won't pay.

Depending on what it is for, they might argue or not argue. They'll know that you wouldn't have receipts for everything, but by the same token, if you had that diamond necklace worth £££, they would expect you to have some proof of its existence before paying up, understandably.

The insurance company probably won't pay.

Not necessarily true. Proof of ownership can come in many forms other than receipts. If you have lost the receipts, then they may be willing to accept photographs of the goods. For example, if jewellery was stolen they might accept a photograph of you wearing it before it was stolen. For the stolen TV, they might accept the user manual, warranty/guarantee certificate or anything similar.

Also, if you paid for the goods by credit/debit card, they would probably accept your bank statements as proof of purchase.

The simple answer is don't try and claim for anything you didn't actually have.

Insurance companies are mostly realistic in cases like this and it would be reasonable for you to have all the normal stuff in your house (TV, DVD, some jewellery etc) and not necessarily have the receipts if, especially if you bought them a while ago.

It's when you start claiming for the Van Gogh in the drawing room and the collection of Faberge eggs in the library that you run into trouble.

It's a horrible experience and you no doubt feel that your personal space has been invaded but keep a clear head and be honest. That way it will be resolved as quickly as possible.

Hi all an update

The Loss adjuster came this morning and we gave him a list of all the stuff that was taken and also either boxes or reciepts of the stuff.

As this was the first time this has happened he asked us have we told the police about the items, We said no as the police rung late on Thurs and gave us the crime ref No. and said the SOCO will not come as they are busy. They did not ask us to give them a list

The loss adjuster rung on friday to say make a list for me for today(tues), which we did he also said we have to also ring the police and tell them about the items taken,which I will do when I get home tonight.

Also I told him that the insurance operator said to me your door is not covered so I had to ring another builder to come and board it up. But the loss adjuster said we are covered.

Why did the operator tell us we are not covered for the door and also is it the duty of the insurance comapny to give advise on what to do, as the loss adjuster told us about the list for the items and not the insurance company.

Now he has gone away and said he will ring the police and get back to us.

What happens next

thanks

In answer to the door - I would personally be wary of anything said to be by operator staff - they are generally poorly trained and couldn't tell their assessors from their adjusters. You would need to read your policy.

As to the latter on insurers duty - they do give advice in their policy documents which details what you hould do in the event of a claim. A decent insurer should check that you are doing what you should do to comply with the policy and keep you updated and treat you fairly.

Ringing the police I believe would more than likely to check that you have reported it, and probably also a bit of fishing to see if you have given different stories (that is not accusatory!) and to get a feel of the claim (the last one I worked with said he spotted about half his dodgy claims by speaking to the police). I wouldn't worry so long as you are acting in good faith.