Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Step-parenting

Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

Flip

Original poster

Bit of advice?

22 replies

Slythermum · 27/07/2021 18:11

Not sure what to do in this situation. SD is 14 and loses expensive things through carelessness, our other kids (mine and his) are aware that they need to take responsibility for their devices. SD often leaves her bag open and has dropped her expensive iPhone X her mum got her a few times by not having her bag zipped up or by having fake nails so she can't grip it properly. She's gone to her friend's house for the afternoon, came back to ours with a broken phone screen that she has dropped there and now her mum is now asking me to claim for the latest broken phone on my house insurance. I'm really not comfortable doing this - I don't think I should be claiming anything on my house insurance unless I absolutely need to. Any advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SpaceshiptoMars · 27/07/2021 18:20

Don't want to lose no claims bonus?
Can't claim for accidental damage less than x amount?
Not child's main residence.
Not your child.
Is her accidental damage outside the house even covered by your policy?

mommabear2386 · 27/07/2021 19:03

Or she saves to fix it or does chores to earn money to fix it. We had a one fix accidental rule. We paid one time, mum refused to ever pay so we had to them them know it wasn't a continuation of us just always fixing it. They are expensive!!

Wjevtvha · 27/07/2021 19:31

I think the one claim idea is good but you’d then have to do it with the other DC too if they were to break their things so depends if you’re happy to do that

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 19:35

Just say it's not covered?

What a CF

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 19:36

Not your child. sums it up really

19lottie82 · 27/07/2021 19:51

Surely a replacement screen repair would be cheaper than the home insurance excess? Plenty of places near me will replace them while you wait for about £60.

nimbuscloud · 27/07/2021 19:56

What does your dp think?

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 19:58

I don't think I should be claiming anything on my house insurance unless I absolutely need to

I'm assuming from this it is your house insurance not joint with her parent. In which case their parents get no say.

Original poster

Slythermum · 27/07/2021 19:59

Yes, the issue is that my own DS has broken things and then earned the money through chores to replace what he's broken, so does his sister. I'm going to say it's not covered and direct her to screen repair place. I think her nails cost about 20 quid to have done so she can pay for the screen and have shorter nails!

OP posts:

Original poster

Slythermum · 27/07/2021 19:59

@breakfasty

I don't think I should be claiming anything on my house insurance unless I absolutely need to

I'm assuming from this it is your house insurance not joint with her parent. In which case their parents get no say.

Yes my house.

OP posts:

TooWicked · 27/07/2021 20:01

When she learns some consequences she might start to take better care of her things.

What is she learning if she’s always indulged with an immediate replacement or repair?

I would tell the mum straight - no, my kids have to earn the money to repair or replace their stuff if the lose or damage it, so I won’t be using my insurance to fix this for SD.

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 20:02

Absolutely not then if she didn't break it at your house. DP or her mother can cover it with their insurance.

buckeejit · 27/07/2021 21:10

CF.

If she's already clumsy then long nails are not helping & she won't learn if people keep fixing things for her. It clearly isn't helping her.

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 21:14

And it's ridiculous her having such a fancy phone if she can't look after it.

Themadcatparade · 28/07/2021 08:54

Children needs these lessons and the consequences that go along with it IMO.

I agree the mother is a CF. Tell her straight.

Bibidy · 28/07/2021 14:53

I wouldn't do this.

I honestly think it's crazy how many kids get expensive things replaced in the blink of an eye when they've lost/broken it through their own carelessness. I would have had to wait until birthday or Christmas for a replacement, and dealt with a much lesser phone in the meantime.

Her mum can claim it on her own house insurance if she wants, although guessing she doesn't have any so she's just assuming you do. I'd defo say it's not possible.

MeridianB · 29/07/2021 20:04

@TooWicked

When she learns some consequences she might start to take better care of her things.

What is she learning if she’s always indulged with an immediate replacement or repair?

I would tell the mum straight - no, my kids have to earn the money to repair or replace their stuff if the lose or damage it, so I won’t be using my insurance to fix this for SD.

Totally agree with this.

Her mother is being incredibly cheeky asking you. She’s welcome to claim on her own home insurance. But better still, DSD can earn the cost of the repair.

Totally off the point but what is it with fake talon nails on a 14yo? 🤮

Notaroadrunner · 29/07/2021 20:15

@TooWicked

When she learns some consequences she might start to take better care of her things.

What is she learning if she’s always indulged with an immediate replacement or repair?

I would tell the mum straight - no, my kids have to earn the money to repair or replace their stuff if the lose or damage it, so I won’t be using my insurance to fix this for SD.

Agree. You wouldn't claim for your own kids so no way should you claim for hers. The mother can claim on her own insurance if she wants, seeing as the phone wasn't even broken at your house. Stupid cf!

Hiphopboppertybop99 · 08/08/2021 20:14

Agreed, I don't think it should just be replaced. She should have to do something to earn it....whether that's extra chores, giving up her nails for a bit or saving pocket money if applicable.
My SC get everything replaced by their mum if they break something, without having to earn it. It's caused no end of disagreements and frustration for DP. They now just expect it, don't appreciate or/ value their belongings and as items are getting more expensive mum has now started asking DP to help out financially...

VenusSap · 09/08/2021 11:46

I don’t think you should claim and I think the mum is a CF but having false nails doesn’t mean you can’t grip your phone properly 😂 I have acrylic nails and I can grip mine just fine.

RedMarauder · 09/08/2021 12:11

Yes my house.

Tell your DP that as it is your house you will not be claiming on your home insurance to replace his daughter's phone screen. Also state what you do with your own children.

You are not your SD's parent and shouldn't be communicating with her mother. If she does communicate with you refer her to her child's father every single time and if she doesn't get the hint after 3 occasions block her.

Original poster

Slythermum · 26/08/2021 19:46

Thanks everyone for the advice (which I took) She's not mentioned it since I said no and hopefully won't mention it again!

OP posts:

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread