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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
FormerlySpeckledyHen · 08/10/2023 20:55

Forgot to say sorry it happened to you and fingers crossed your insurance might cover it.

Steev · 08/10/2023 20:58

My home policy is excellent but I don't honk they would pay if I'd left it in the car. Was it at least locked in the boot?

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.

VivaLaVolvo · 08/10/2023 21:00

A mixture of air and home insurance would cover it for me- check your limits for valuables away from home and valuables in the flat
if it is a named item on the insurance then should be no problem

VivaLaVolvo · 08/10/2023 21:01

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.

Of course it is
We can name any item over £1000, £2500 and £5000 on out home insurance

Worriedmum159 · 08/10/2023 21:02

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?

How dare you have nice things OP. Carry everything round in a Sainsbury’s bag for life. You shouldn’t even have a car. Shame on you. If you have things, you should hope they get stolen in order to redistribute wealth fairly.

Loverofoxbowlakes · 08/10/2023 21:02

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 ?

Literally the only thing that matters is if your bag and other items are covered either in your car insurance or as items away from the home (very unlikely for any home contents insurance to cover expensive items, say over £250, outside the home unless specified individually. And then they'd need to have been locked in the boot not just left in the car under a blanket).

Have you read your policy documents op?

Loverofoxbowlakes · 08/10/2023 21:05

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.

Of course you can, every policy I've ever had allows you to get extra cover for expensive items out of the home, a £6k bag would definitely fall into this category.

And op wasn't using the bag out and about, it was left in the car!

boodlebeep · 08/10/2023 21:06

I think most home insurance covers items stolen from a vehicle up to a limit (you will need to check what this limit is on your policy) however most stipulate the item under claim must have been locked in glove compartment or boot. Wishing you well.

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 08/10/2023 21:07

Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 20:53

Yes sadly I think you’re right. Having a baby and toddler with me probanly made me less aware of surroundings

That should be making you MORE aware!

Original poster
Chaneltheft · 08/10/2023 21:07

Hi it was locked . They smashed the back windscreen

OP posts:
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 🤞🏼

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.

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.

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

AdoraBell · 08/10/2023 21:11

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Floppyelf · 08/10/2023 21:21

Where was the car parked?

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.

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?

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.

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!