Am I allowed to ask what you done to your kit, or is it too painful
Yes no problem bruce, I was offered a lift to a job which meant space was limited and as we had a rear seat down to accommodate studio lights, modifiers, stands and backdrops the rear seats had to be lowered and some kit was hidden in a rear footwell obscured from view by the lowered seat and some personal items. This meant my policy was invalid when the car windows were smashed and my kit was taken depending on how you interpret the policy wording and definition of 'un-attended vehicle'.
I never wished for this and insurance was just something I needed to get and hopefully would never use. I was very naive to think that I was simply insured for theft from a vehicle and didn't really know about all the exclusions which I now completely understand the reasons for. Obviously since this I have learned alot!
I didn't even know what an underwriter or loss adjuster was and also didn't know that brokers were just sales people for the underwriters. I thought it would be a simple call to cliik and my kit replaced...not the case! When cliik started to say it was nothing to do with them I got very skeptical as despite selling me the policy they didn't seem to take ownership of my claim. I was always waiting what seemed like an age for someone else like the loss adjuster to investigate and (allegedly) the underwriter to make their final decision.
Personally I saw no need for you to explain yourself in depth. Its an internet forum and you're quite entitled to voice an opinion without providing further explanation / proof to random forum members that have decided it's their place to demand it.
Thanks for the comments but to be fair I did set myself up for that with some of my initial posts!
It does wind me up though, and the bandwagon comment was nothing really against steve. I just remember searching these forums and reading all the comments and it was my own stupid fault but they did help me decide and make the call to cliik. Read policy 'wording' not the 'T&C's' they are two completely different documents of many many more confusing ones that are forwarded to you. When I initially made the call to take out my policy I completely agree with all the comments about steve being helpful/friendly and this did assist me in making my decision of choosing cliik. However there is alot more to a policy than a brokers reputation and after cliik initially ignoring my claim queries I went to real insurance (their partners/owners) who were definitely less than helpful and in my personal opinion patronising towards me throughout my claim.
Like I have said before a broker is of so little significance when making a substantial claim so please research who their 'impartial' loss adjusters are and underwriters too.
Catlin are A1 top notch and were professional with their comms from the off, they told me initially that the outcome for me may still not be favorable but I did feel like they were sympathetic and addressed all my concerns. Knowles Loss Adjuster on the other hand well.....that could be a thread of it's own!