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AIBU?

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Original poster

Devastated- insurance advice please

61 replies

Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 20:44

In London for the weekend , just returned to car to back windscreen smashed in, many items stolen but worst of all my Chanel bag which I returned to the car deliberately for safekeeping.

this is the only designer bag I have, saved for years and highly unlikely to ever be in a position to buy one again.

bag was very well hidden.

I have a crime ref and police have left notes and police tape on the car.

is there any chance at all that insurance will cover this ?

please please please help

OP posts:
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Original poster
Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 23:58

Chalking it up to experience, I am still upset but it’s only a material item and we are all safe and well. Thank you for the comments I will call insurances in the morning and see what is said but not holding out much hope

OP posts:
Original poster
Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 23:57

I have proof of purchase and a photo of me wearing said bag in the morning x

OP posts:
GrimGrinningGhosts · 08/10/2023 22:28

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/10/2023 21:10

Tina Turner had her legs insured… anything can be insured if you’re willing to pay for it.

Typically, it’s a rider on an existing policy with an extra premium. Just speak to your insurance agent.

Show quote history

Agreed.
I have several pieces of obscure memorabilia insured individually on my home insurance, with a couple of pieces insured for outside the home. They are just add ons to the existing policy.

Alika · 08/10/2023 21:55

I imagine you'd need to have proof of purchase at the very least, however I don't think most policies would cover this. Mine wouldn't.
I'm not saying you fall into this category OP, but I think a lot of people will apparently have had designer handbags and the like in their car when it's been broken into, making insurers more suspicious and needing a lot of proof before they pay out. I remember a family member who worked in home insurance many moons ago saying how it was funny that when power was out for a long time, everyone just happened to have a decent supply lobster and caviar sitting in their freezer - that kind of thing.

JaceLancs · 08/10/2023 21:51

Anyone claiming they couldn’t get insurance for x or y needs to find a good insurance broker
It might be expensive but it shouldn’t be impossible to get the level of cover you need

bluebeck · 08/10/2023 21:43

Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 20:51

Thanks what I really want to know is is there anything I can actively do now to increase the Chance of a claim being successful ?

thank you for all the comments and yeh of course I wish I’d just kept it on me now

Yeah I hate to say it, but this is starting to read like a “how can I make a false insurance claim” thread.

Steev · 08/10/2023 21:37

How had you hidden it?

Citrusandginger · 08/10/2023 21:35

It really depends on your insurance policy. We have unlimited contents with single item cover up to £5,000 away from home. We could opt for a higher level if we needed it.

I think it's worth checking you have the cover you need and not going for the first option on the comparison site. I'd personally, also recommend a policy with a high defaqto rating for peace mind.

Clickncollect · 08/10/2023 21:34

Sorry to read this OP. I have a couple of expensive items that are specifically named on my contents insurance policy.

DigbyTheDigger · 08/10/2023 21:26

Was the bag locked in the boot, or just in the main part of the car?

DinnaeFashYersel · 08/10/2023 21:25

Without reading your insurance policy we can't answer.

My insurance covers me for £1,500 valuables in my car as long as not in plain sight.

But that's my policy.

MrsPetty · 08/10/2023 21:22

I wish you were right! My DH and I searched for months to try to insure expensive watches. It’s just not possible. They’ll insure things up to a limit and then you’re on your own. Companies ask for valuations, proof of ownership, photos etc and then never come back with a quote. We gave up. Given the industry that is watch theft in London especially, I’m not sure I’d have wanted to insure them as a broker either. The police have made it perfectly clear that if you’re robbed, it’s on you. Wearing an expensive watch or carrying an expensive handbag is no different in their eyes to waving it’s value in cash above your head as you walk down a street. They don’t even take statements from victims. I’m amazed the OP managed to have them attend!

enchantedsquirrelwood · 08/10/2023 21:22

I'd have thought that every second person in London has a designer handbag, so am surprised you felt so vulnerable with it on you.

All you can do is check your home insurance. It does sounds like someone watched you put it in the car, unless you have an expensive car and they just assumed expensive car = expensive contents.

Cordeliathecat · 08/10/2023 21:22

if you were visiting London for the weekend, do you have an annual travel policy you can claim from?

derrydee · 08/10/2023 21:22

Was it an NCP car park? I doubt you were being watched - I think you were just very unlucky.

Floppyelf · 08/10/2023 21:21

Where was the car parked?

NigelHarmansNewWife · 08/10/2023 21:17

You were being watched OP, sorry to say.

No one here can tell you what your car or home insurance policies state. I hope you are able to get some of the value back.

VisionsOfSplendour · 08/10/2023 21:17

Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 20:51

Thanks what I really want to know is is there anything I can actively do now to increase the Chance of a claim being successful ?

thank you for all the comments and yeh of course I wish I’d just kept it on me now

What sort of thing are you thinking of? The policy wording will determine whether you can make a claim, theres no way to change that

MrsPetty · 08/10/2023 21:14

Who’s your insurer? Mine wouldn’t accept the cost of the handbag as a separate item. Same with my watch while outside the home. I tried several brokers without success.

DelilahBucket · 08/10/2023 21:12

This is unlikely to be covered under your car insurance, but if it is either specified on your home insurance or you have personal possessions cover you may be able to claim, depending on your limits and any exclusions.
The only way you will know is when you can check your insurance documents or just call your insurer. Some companies require you to specify items over a certain amount, but not all. We've just switched to Halifax home insurance and we didn't have to specify my engagement ring or DH's wedding band, which we have had to do previously.
There is nothing you can do to increase your chances of claiming. It's covered or it isn't. You'll need your crime reference number when you contact your insurer.

AdoraBell · 08/10/2023 21:11

Check the policy and household policy. Fingers crossed it will be covered.

greyhairnomore · 08/10/2023 21:10

HiggyHop · 08/10/2023 20:46

How on earth would you think a bag is safe in a car? What kind of safekeeping is that?

Helpful

boodlebeep · 08/10/2023 21:10

Unfortunately it won't matter that the car is locked. The item that is being claimed for must have been placed into a locked glove compartment or boot.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/10/2023 21:10

MrsPetty · 08/10/2023 20:59

That’s so horrid OP. I’ve looked for insurance for my handbags for years … it doesn’t exist 🙁 it’s possible to insure the contents, but not the bag itself. I rarely bring designer bags with me these days. It’s not worth the stress. I hope you manage to make peace with it. If you managed to have one before, you’ll be able to have one again. But I feel your frustration. I worked hard for every handbag I treated myself to. It’s such a horrible sign of the times that it’s not safe to use them.

Tina Turner had her legs insured… anything can be insured if you’re willing to pay for it.

Typically, it’s a rider on an existing policy with an extra premium. Just speak to your insurance agent.

Densol57 · 08/10/2023 21:08

You really NEED to check your home insurance. Almost zero chance on car insurance. Policies vary wildly. Some like Aviva home insurance insure single items up to £2,000 if you bought the “away from home” option, or for more pricey items, they can be individually named and extra premium paid.
Its either covered or it isnt - hope its covered 🤞🏼