Gap in insurance for tools
Discussion
I recently had a visit from the local pond life who emptied my garage of about £500 worth of power tools (drills, saws etc) among other things.
My insurance has paid out on everything bar one item:
A diesel compression tester kit.
They state that as it is for use on a motor vehicle, it is not covered by their house & contents policy.
This leaves me short of a few quid for the replacement, which isn't the end of the world, yet quite irritating. Bit it also leaves me worried that any specialist tools for car maintenance isn't covered. When I consider things like my engine crane, trolley jack, various test kits and diagnostic devices I get a worryingly large replacement bill.
I'm guessing this is a nugget of common knowledge that I've missed out on, so what do others folks do?
My insurance has paid out on everything bar one item:
A diesel compression tester kit.
They state that as it is for use on a motor vehicle, it is not covered by their house & contents policy.
This leaves me short of a few quid for the replacement, which isn't the end of the world, yet quite irritating. Bit it also leaves me worried that any specialist tools for car maintenance isn't covered. When I consider things like my engine crane, trolley jack, various test kits and diagnostic devices I get a worryingly large replacement bill.
I'm guessing this is a nugget of common knowledge that I've missed out on, so what do others folks do?
Sounds odd, arguably a lot of things like oil filter straps etc and the stuff you have listed would be found in a normal 'garage'.
Can you post a link to the policy document ?
ETA; normally contents cover would exclude mechanically propelled vehicles and their 'parts or accessories' as these should be covered under the Car/Bike insurance. Perhaps your insurer has gotten confused over this ?
Can you post a link to the policy document ?
ETA; normally contents cover would exclude mechanically propelled vehicles and their 'parts or accessories' as these should be covered under the Car/Bike insurance. Perhaps your insurer has gotten confused over this ?
Edited by Jimmyarm on Wednesday 26th February 23:24
I can't find the policy document online, however the wording goes as follows:
[quote]
Contents are not:
motor vehicles (including motor cycles, quad bikes and motorized scooters), caravans, trailers, watercraft aircraft and all their accessories.
[/quote]
I guess the question is, would a compression test kit be counted as a motor vehicle accessory?
[quote]
Contents are not:
motor vehicles (including motor cycles, quad bikes and motorized scooters), caravans, trailers, watercraft aircraft and all their accessories.
[/quote]
I guess the question is, would a compression test kit be counted as a motor vehicle accessory?
That is definately not the intention of that exclusion.
I'd go back to the insurer and say that the tester isn't a motor vehicle accessory, it is a tool much like a multimeter etc.
I was an underwriter for 10 years so I have a bit of insurance knowledge and would say with 99% certainty that they are misinterpreting the intention of the exclusion which is to remove cover that would normally be provided by a motor vehicle policy.
Eta: you may have to speak to someone a bit more senior, no one likes being wrong
I'd go back to the insurer and say that the tester isn't a motor vehicle accessory, it is a tool much like a multimeter etc.
I was an underwriter for 10 years so I have a bit of insurance knowledge and would say with 99% certainty that they are misinterpreting the intention of the exclusion which is to remove cover that would normally be provided by a motor vehicle policy.
Eta: you may have to speak to someone a bit more senior, no one likes being wrong
Edited by Jimmyarm on Thursday 27th February 15:38
ouch said:
I've called them back and told another call-centre drone to go back to the underwriters for a second opinion, stating the case that it's a tool not an accessory. We'll see what they come back with..
Nada. Definitely not covered. As also the £60 battery charger that had also gone missing. Likewise I guess my trolley jack, axle stands, engine crane and a ton & a half of other hardware that the pencilnecks will call motoring accessories, rather than tools.
So, any suggestions as to an insurer who will cover these items?
Very odd !
Can you name the insurer ?
If it was me, I'd be making a formal written complaint about it using the insurers procedures and escalating it to the ombudsman. If they want to exclude those tools fair enough but the wording is far too ambiguous. If they want too exclude specific tools/equipment like that it should be made clear in the wording. Relying on 'accessories' is definately poor form.
I would probably also get a 'friend' to phone them for a quote on a different address and asking them generically about tool cover in the garage and then ask specifically about special tools and see what is said.
Boils my piss a bit that the insurance world is like this and part of the reason I now spin spammers !
Can you name the insurer ?
If it was me, I'd be making a formal written complaint about it using the insurers procedures and escalating it to the ombudsman. If they want to exclude those tools fair enough but the wording is far too ambiguous. If they want too exclude specific tools/equipment like that it should be made clear in the wording. Relying on 'accessories' is definately poor form.
I would probably also get a 'friend' to phone them for a quote on a different address and asking them generically about tool cover in the garage and then ask specifically about special tools and see what is said.
Boils my piss a bit that the insurance world is like this and part of the reason I now spin spammers !
Jimmyarm said:
Very odd !
Can you name the insurer ?
If it was me, I'd be making a formal written complaint about it using the insurers procedures and escalating it to the ombudsman. If they want to exclude those tools fair enough but the wording is far too ambiguous. If they want too exclude specific tools/equipment like that it should be made clear in the wording. Relying on 'accessories' is definately poor form.
I would probably also get a 'friend' to phone them for a quote on a different address and asking them generically about tool cover in the garage and then ask specifically about special tools and see what is said.
Boils my piss a bit that the insurance world is like this and part of the reason I now spin spammers !
Would prefer not to name and shame, but a quick call to your own insurance company would probably set your mind at ease, or open a can of worms..Can you name the insurer ?
If it was me, I'd be making a formal written complaint about it using the insurers procedures and escalating it to the ombudsman. If they want to exclude those tools fair enough but the wording is far too ambiguous. If they want too exclude specific tools/equipment like that it should be made clear in the wording. Relying on 'accessories' is definately poor form.
I would probably also get a 'friend' to phone them for a quote on a different address and asking them generically about tool cover in the garage and then ask specifically about special tools and see what is said.
Boils my piss a bit that the insurance world is like this and part of the reason I now spin spammers !
I've written to their complaints/feedback and also the chairman of the board, we'll see what they come back with before escalating any further.
This has got to be wrong?? or you have been tricked by "the small print".
In theory an insurance company will insure anything?? at a price!!
I would take this to the highest level etc etc. Then cancel the policy.
Find a new insurer that will cover the contents of a DIY car enthusiasts garage.You may have to list all the items and the value but it will be worth it.
In theory an insurance company will insure anything?? at a price!!
I would take this to the highest level etc etc. Then cancel the policy.
Find a new insurer that will cover the contents of a DIY car enthusiasts garage.You may have to list all the items and the value but it will be worth it.
I tried to insure my tool kit a while go and also tried to get ins details for other people [I was a Snap on dealer] I found it virtually impossible or horrendosly expensive it is a while ago so things may have changed but probably not for the better . Figs of a 1k per year to cover an apprentice kit at 4/500 value so never wen any further
I'd posted on another thread back at the time, but neglected to update this one.
I wrote an email to their 'feedback' centre, and cc'd the chairman of the board. I got a call back within a couple of working days from their customer care team, saying they'd reviewed the case and had chosen to honour my claim in full.
Bottom line: your tools are most probably covered, even if your insurers don't know it..
I wrote an email to their 'feedback' centre, and cc'd the chairman of the board. I got a call back within a couple of working days from their customer care team, saying they'd reviewed the case and had chosen to honour my claim in full.
Bottom line: your tools are most probably covered, even if your insurers don't know it..
ouch said:
Bottom line: your tools are most probably covered, even if your insurers don't know it..
The reason for refusal that you were given is odd, but I've seen comments elsewhere that anything regarded as a "trade" tool isn't covered by domestic insurance. I suppose you then get into a discussion about whether the tool is for your trade, or your hobby.Try sorting a motor traders policy.What is classified as hand tools? machinery and plant? employees tools?? employer`s tools,office equipment,etc etc. A nightmare!!
Lucky I went through it all and got it all sorted. A long time ago we had a brake in,two Snap-On tool kits,van load of workshop equipment all gone.Had to shut down for a few days as we had nothing to work with!!.
Everything was replaced with new stuff by my insurer,I even made a profit out of it. My local Snap-On agent was a very happy man.Mind you after that my insurer demanded a monitored alarm system being installed along with other security stuff.
Lucky I went through it all and got it all sorted. A long time ago we had a brake in,two Snap-On tool kits,van load of workshop equipment all gone.Had to shut down for a few days as we had nothing to work with!!.
Everything was replaced with new stuff by my insurer,I even made a profit out of it. My local Snap-On agent was a very happy man.Mind you after that my insurer demanded a monitored alarm system being installed along with other security stuff.
I'm just going through the same sort of claim, and my insurers have so far not said anything about refusing to cover stuff like trolley jacks, air tools and the like, as far as I'm aware they're sourcing what they can and will cash settle the rest.
As far as I'm concerned the exclusion is "accessories" and "parts" (for example they've declined me on an outboard motor and the expensive Almax chains the thieves took (once they'd cut the locks off). However the optimate they stole, the trolley jack they stole - they're TOOLS.
As far as I'm concerned the exclusion is "accessories" and "parts" (for example they've declined me on an outboard motor and the expensive Almax chains the thieves took (once they'd cut the locks off). However the optimate they stole, the trolley jack they stole - they're TOOLS.
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