I lost my phone this morning. Very annoying. Anyway, when I rang the mobile company to cancel it, they offered me an upgrade to a better model for a small upfront fee and the same contract cost as before, as my previous contract had ended. Which is good ? I get a better phone, and I get it today if I go to the store to collect it.
I have insurance on my old phone through my bank account (which I pay a monthly fee for), so didn?t take the phone company up on their offer over the phone because I thought I would lodge a claim with the insurance company. I have met all the criteria for making a claim ? I have a crime reference number, the phone was registered with them etc etc. I know, because my brother went through a claim process with the same insurer last year, that it takes up to 10 days to get the claim form out, assess the claim and get me a new phone, and lots of hassle.
Having thought about it, I concluded it was more sensible to just go and get a new phone and not bother making a claim ? there?s an excess of £25 on my insurance policy, and I?m only paying a small amount more to my mobile phone company for a better model.
But when I mentioned this to brother just now, he was horrified. Said the whole point of insurance is to insure me, that I have lost my phone and therefore should make a claim, pay the excess, get the new phone and sell it. That it?s entirely above board and exactly what the insurance company would expect me to do. If the insurance company doesn't want to pay out, they won't and that's their right, and it's my right to make a claim.
I can?t work out whether he?s right or not. I feel as if I shouldn?t be claiming for something that I will have already replaced (because the only debate is whether to lodge a claim, not whether I go and get a new phone today - that I am definitely going to do). I will end up better off if I do make a successful claim ? the resale cost of the replacement handset will be more than I am paying for the new phone (though I do appreciate I will eventually pay the cost through the monthly fee). Obviously if the phone is handed in to a police station, I will halt the claims process...
If you?ve stuck with me this far, am I being ridiculous? I absolutely do not want to commit insurance fraud, let?s be really clear about this. But on the other hand, I have lost my phone, I will be out of pocket, and so perhaps he?s right and I should lodge a claim, get the replacement handset then sell it.