Insurance claim query?

[CinnamonTwist]

Not sure where to post this, but hoping someone has experience that could help me.
When DH and I got married I bought him a really nice watch as a wedding present, he has always been very careful with it and only wears it on special occasions so as not to damage it unnecessarily. It lives on his bedside table the rest of the time. Unfortunately next to his bedside table is the bin (now relocated, and I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this). Usually he checks the bin before emptying it (for non bin items and to select out any recycling) but last week he was in a massive hurry and just threw it into a bag, put it in the dustbin and wheeled the dustbin out to be collected that day. You can guess, he now can't find his watch... The only possibility is that it had fallen in the bin. He is absolutely devastated as he has always been so careful with it and really gutted to have lost it in such a silly way. He rang the council but our bins don't get sorted and go straight to landfill so no chance of getting it back.
So if you've got this far (thank you) my question is; can I claim for it on our household insurance?? It wasn't 'accidentally damaged' but it was very expensive and treasured, even a replacement won't quite be the same but it would at least replace it materially for him. Thoughts welcome. DH is of the opinion that he doesn't deserve another for being such an idiot in the first place, but I know he's just annoyed with himself and I'd like to replace it for him, either I go through insurance or I save up, again, for another - bearing in mind we are doing building works and planning on starting a family I don't know how long that will take!

[wowfudge]

Ring your insurers and ask. Do look under the bed, etc first. Have there been any visitors to your house?

[FinallyGotAnIPhone]

This happened to me with a ring and I was convinced it had gone in th bin. I made a claim on insurance and they sent me a voucher for a new ring at a particular chain of jewellers (about £1k). I then found the ring under the bed so I called the insurers and told them and they cancelled the voucher.

[CinnamonTwist]

Thanks wow and finally, no been no visitors that could have pinched it, only family and friends (all of whom I completely trust) and we have looked everywhere, it's definitely gone
finally do you think the claim affected your premiums? That's one of DHs arguments against claiming...

[FinallyGotAnIPhone]

Hi sorry only just seen this. I did ask the insurers about that and they said that in the end it wasn't a claim (or something) so it shouldn't affect me.

[wowfudge]

A claim probably will affect your premiums, but if it's an expensive item, nowhere near the cost to you of replacing the watch like-for-like.

[Mumstudentbum]

First of all check your policy and see if you are covered for personal possessions. It should detail what you are and are not covered for.

A claim will affect your premiums and more so than a fire, flood, theft etc because it was your (DH) fault. But if the watch was very expensive then it might be worth it. Also check your excess to see if it's worth claiming, it maybe high for PP. sometimes insurance companies put it down as a claim when you call to enquirer so be careful.

Last but not least remove the bin from the bedroom lol