Monday, September 5, 2011

Sorry Saga of trying to get insurance for my son at university

Our son's bike was stolen, but despite our insurance policy apparently covering him we can't make a claim

My son had his �1,500 bicycle stolen from inside his rented accommodation at university. Kitchen fitters had left windows open. We have cycle insurance through Saga as an optional extra on our house policy but it won't pay because he had changed the cycle from the one named on the policy. It told him to claim against the builder or the landlord. Saga said there was nothing else it could do. FM, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Saga told me that rejecting your claim had nothing to do with it being a new bike ? neither was covered at university. Your wife had phoned Saga to add your son's laptop to your home insurance policy which includes "away from home" cover.

After putting down the phone she realised the laptop would not be covered at university. She phoned again and was told students' possessions required a separate student premium because student accommodation is high risk.

While reading out the underwriting guide, the agent mentioned that it included loss of a pedal cycle. Saga says the telephone call proves that your wife was fully aware that the bike was not covered without paying extra. I have seen a transcript of the conversation and disagree because, at that time, she was thinking only about the laptop.

I explained to Saga that it was an off-road bike which was mostly kept at your house except when your son was about to go on holiday, so it should be covered by the "away from home" clause. Saga refuses to accept this and says the owner must live permanently at the insured address.

Saga did then notice that you had legal expenses insurance on your policy which will give advice about pursuing the builder and landlord. That's unlikely to be much help recovering any money.

You can email Margaret Dibben at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU and include a telephone number. Do not enclose SAEs or original documents. The newspaper accepts no legal responsibility for advice.


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/05/saga-insurance-university

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