To keep this money?

[weddingringdilemma]

Aware I may get flamed from here to kingdom come for this....

DH lost his wedding ring a few weeks ago. We claimed on insurance, and they sent us a cheque for £600 for a new one. Just waiting for the cheque to clear then we'll go and buy new one.

I found his old one yesterday.

Do we fess up to the insurance company and return the money or use it for some much needed home repairs that we've put off?

Please no insults if you think we're wrong to even consider keeping it, am very interested to hear views though.

[winnybella]

YABU. It's a fraud and morally wrong. Basically you would be stealing.

[Tequilamockinbird]

YABU but then i think you already know that

[coccyx]

Fraud. not your money

[pud1]

I would keep it if I am honest. I know it would not be the right thing to do but I would still keep it.

[randommoment]

Can understand the temptation, but you know it's wrong, insurance fraud is not a victimless crime, everyone's premiums go up to cover it.

[OnlyANinja]

YABU

But if you are happy to be in the wrong about it no-one is ever going to know... and you'd have £600...

The insurance company just sent money then, they didn't want to see a receipt for a new one?

[bejeezus]

Keep it! Keep it!

Insurance companies have no morals! It would be misguided honesty

The money is a gift from God obviously

Ooooooooooo...what you gonna spend it on?

[weddingringdilemma]

We sent them a quote for a new ring, don't need to send a receipt.

[weddingringdilemma]

...and in some ways I kind of feel it is our money as we have been paying the insurance company for years...

[OnlyANinja]

...and in some ways I kind of feel it is our money as we have been paying the insurance company for years...

No, that's not how it works at all.

[SoupDragon]

Of course it isn't your money. It is fraud. You have to tell the insurance company.

[BIWI]

No! It's not your money! You have been paying for the privilege of being paid to be able to replace it if it gets lost. It's not lost any more therefore you should return the money.

People who do things like this are actually responsible for premiums going up. Why should I have to pay more for my insurance just because you are choosing to commit fraud?

Please don't try and justify keeping the money, however tempting it might be.

[neutrinoghost]

Keep it.
I lost my job a few years ago (sacked) so started claiming JSA. For long winded reasons I won't bore you with, the payments took months to come through. After almost three months of appeals I managed to get my job back + all missing payments + small amount of compensation + bonus. As chance would have it the next day my £550..ish check from the council turned up on the door step. Did I keep it? ..you bet :)

[IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll]

Ooh, Id find it really hard if I was in this position. On one hand, it is wrong, and you should send the money back. On the other, it was a genuine thing that got you the money, you didn't set out to defraud the company and you might be in a position to really need it.

If you are very short of cash, keep it but spend it wisely.

If you don't really need it, give it back.

Would you be able to really enjoy spending it? I think that would be the thing that stopped me the most.

[Bobbish]

Have you lost your no claims bonus? You may claim that back by returning the money. On the other hand, it would be galling to return the money and find that you still have a claim on your record.

[AgnesBligg]

I'd say keep it. But then I am moral-less sly bastard.

[SoupDragon]

"On the other, it was a genuine thing that got you the money, you didn't set out to defraud the company"

Except now, the OP is setting out to defraud the company.

[QuintessentiallyShallow]

pud1 Mon 23-Jan-12 09:03:30
"I would keep it if I am honest." If you are honest? You mean, dishonest surely?

OP, it would be dishonest to keep the money. Also, you may find that the number of claims affect your premium. And that there is a maximum number of claims before they will no longer insure you. It may not be a problem today, but if something REALLY happens, you may find that you regret this claim.

And if you are in the habit of suffering bad karma, you can be sure this will come back and bite you in the bum.

[ShirleyForAllSeasons]

arf.

I would totally keep it. After having to be helped up off the floor that the insurance company had actually paid out.

[thepeoplesprincess]

I'd keep it, no hesitation. It's a ridiculous amount to lose over 'bad karma'

[snowmaiden]

I think you should keep it- you didn't obtain it dishonestly, it was very fortunate of you to then find the ring. Take advantage! Luck is just on your side.

[TheRealTillyMinto]

YABU - we would all (including you) pay less for insurance if people were all honest.

its not £10. its £600. it will be much nicer is you look at your DHs wedding ring & think of when you did the right thing & paid the money back, rather than it being a reminder of your theft.

DP father did an insurance fraud like you are considering. i have never respected him in the same way.

[aldiwhore]

Its wrong to keep it, but I probably would.

It wasn't a fraudulent claim, but now you have the cash it would be wrong to keep it. I should think the insurance company would be very very surprised if you returned the money. It would be right to return it, but I don't think you'd be a BAD PERSON if you kept it.

[Popoozle]

I'd keep the money. What I wouldn't do is ask for advice about it on here!