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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to refuse to claim off our insurance?

30 replies

greenfolder · 10/12/2013 12:45

Dd 18 is at uni in london. On sat night her phone was stolen from her room - iphone 4 450 quid to replace. There was a party in her halls- someone took her keys from the kitchen side, let themselves into her room and took it. I'm certain this is what happened. It is not covered by her student insurance as there is no sign of forcible entry. It is covered under our policy as a personal possession. However- during the summer she had her bag stolen and we claimed then- value of stuff then was around 1500 quid. Our premium went up by 200 on renewal in september. My view is that she should have a less nickable phone for carrying around (say 100)which I an haapy to pay for.she is suffering from iphone withdrawal and thinks that the family policy is there to be claimed on.

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 10/12/2013 12:48

YANBU - she could get another iphone 4 for £200 so totally not worth claiming.

She needs to either be a bit more careful or pay for her own insurance policy.

lynniep · 10/12/2013 12:52

yanbu. she doesn't care because its not her money. presumably you'd have to pay excess as well? tell her to get a cheaper phone.

HermioneWeasley · 10/12/2013 12:54

If she's prepared to pay the increase on your premium for this and future years, sure let her claim.

cathpip · 10/12/2013 12:57

Her phone, she is 18 these things happen but you and your dh should not be picking up the tab this time round. It's harsh but she did leave her keys on a kitchen side, I certainly would not do that and I doubt you would either. Why has she not got phone insurance? Then she would be able to claim of that, it's about time she grew up, sorry!

HermioneWeasley · 10/12/2013 12:57

My parents would have made me replace the phone from my own money. She's lucky you're offering anything.

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 10/12/2013 12:59

She has to learn to take responsibility and to look after her keys and possessions but she won't learn if she thinks you always have an easy fix.

bumbumsmummy · 10/12/2013 13:00

Yanbu it's a shame but why be so careless with something that's quite valuable it's a tough lesson but if she has to save up to buy a new one then it can't do her any harm at all

And when she does make her take out mobile phone insurance and pay for it herself

BlousyMumsyTwat · 10/12/2013 13:08

Hang on, so someone took her keys, opened her door, took the phone, locked the door and put the keys back?

She's lost it in a bar when she was pissed!

JoinYourPlayfellows · 10/12/2013 13:11

"thinks that the family policy is there to be claimed on"

Hmm

It's not a "family" policy.

It's YOUR policy.

When she starts paying the premiums she can decide what gets claimed for.

I'd refuse just to teach her a lesson about what she is and isn't entitled to in life.

DontmindifIdo · 10/12/2013 13:14

I'd point out that it's not free to claim on the home contents insurance, it'll cost you £200. So if you will split the difference, and give her £100, she can pay the difference or buy a cheaper phone, it's entirely her choice. Oh, and if she wants her phone insured, she can pay for her own insurance for it.

I would also ask her if she's reported it to the police and hte halls of residence. (agree she's probably left it somewhere and doesn't want to admit it)

LifeofPo · 10/12/2013 13:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JoinYourPlayfellows · 10/12/2013 13:17

I know, seriously, 1500 smackers-worth in an 18 year old's bag.

The mind boggles.

ApprenticeViper · 10/12/2013 13:21

YADNBU for not replacing the iPhone. I hate to be mean, but I agree with Blousy - she's gone out and lost it, whether in a bar or elsewhere. I very much doubt that someone intent on thievery would replace her keys on the kitchen worktop after their work was done. Also, wasn't there anything else missing from her room? iPod? Laptop? Hmm

It's time she learned that you don't have a "family" insurance policy, and she needs to be way more careful with her belongings.

OldDaddy · 10/12/2013 13:28

She's 18 she's an adult so perhaps she should take this as a life lesson... I see so many people losing their phones it's crazy! Does nobody take responsibility for their property anymore. Perhaps she shouldn't leave her keys lying around? Are you sure this is what happened or could it be a case of being so smashed on booze she hasn't a clue what happened to it? Don't cave in or it will happen again and again!

Original poster
greenfolder · 10/12/2013 13:38

Glad to see I am not being unreasonable! I do feel she has to learn and you are right- if I keep coming up with solutions she will not learn!

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 10/12/2013 13:40

YANBU. She doesnt need an iphone. She can go and pick up a cheap phone in Tesco or something. Besides, if her insurance won't pay out - why would yours?

livinginawinterwonderland · 10/12/2013 13:43

I'll never understand how people can lose their phones so easily! I can't afford an iPhone or anything but I'm always double checking I've got my phone/iPod/keys before I leave soemwhere!

Anyway, YANBU not to claim. It's your insurance policy - you're the one paying the claims and extras, so you get to choose what gets claimed for. Tell her she needs to take more responsibility for her things. Like a PP said, I also don't believe someone unlocked her room and just took a phone - surely a thief would take a laptop or an iPod as well!

Original poster
greenfolder · 10/12/2013 13:44

Oh and tell me about the 1500 worth of stuff in the bag. 500 camera (18th birthday present from her nan), iphone, ipod, glasses, wallet etc etc. I was stunned when I added it all up. But she was robbed and I was philosophical about that-made her wait til the end of summer before camera was replaced.

OP posts:
HECTheHeraldAngelsSing · 10/12/2013 13:46

Of course she thinks that. She's not the one to have to pay either the excess (if you have one) or the increased premium, is she?

I'd offer her a few choices, tbh. She can claim but she must pay both the excess (if applicable) and the extra premium for the following year's renewal, or she can have a cheaper phone or she can have a replacement phone as her xmas gift (if you can afford it) on the condition that she takes out and maintains insurance on it individually. Or she looks on ebay for a second hand one.

She has to take responsibility for ensuring that her things are safe. If she never feels the consequences, how will she learn? She will just continue to be careless and feel that it doesn't matter, because mum and dad will sort it.

That's a childlike attitude to have and not one that is suitable for adult life.

Original poster
greenfolder · 10/12/2013 13:47

Our insurance would pay out because the personal possessions bit covers theft and loss without there needing to be forcible entry-her cheapy policy excludes theft unless there are signs of a break in

OP posts:
NotYoMomma · 10/12/2013 13:49

she is 18 and away from home, why cant she have her own gadget insurance?

and £1500 for a handbag?

fuck that she needs to learn some responsibility.

BobaFettTheHalls · 10/12/2013 13:50

A party in her halls and she left her iphone in her room and denied herself the right to drunken selfies and embarrassing pics?! Xmas Shock

She should get a cheaper phone, esp if she's going to continue living somewhere there is a thief.

Original poster
greenfolder · 10/12/2013 13:52

And whilst I hear you your sceptism re her story, she did tell me beforehand that they were having a party. More likely she left her room unlocked and someone pocketed it.

OP posts:
Original poster
greenfolder · 10/12/2013 13:54

And to be clear-the handbag was not worth 1500!

OP posts:
jacks365 · 10/12/2013 14:05

Just thinking of my daughters handbag, mobile phone, tablet, I pod touch, Nintendo ds add the cost of replacing her bag and purse and it could easily come to £1500. My uni daughter has her own gadget insurance now after losing her phone last year.

Just explain to your daughter that its not cost effective to claim and she needs to replace it herself