If your child loses something valuable, can you file a claim for it under home contents insurance?

Question

house contents insurance covers all contents of the house irregardless of whose the owner right? i mean if your partner or child loses something, you can still make a claim for it even though you're the applicant right because it says house contents or am i wrong about this?

something valuable means ipod, a digital camera and a psp.

Answer 1

You are wrong about this.

With most policies contents coverage is named peril. That means in order for it to be covered - the cause of the loss has to be specifically listed in the policy - fire, lighting, smoke, vandalism, theft. Your child loosing an item does not qualify as one of the perils.  Dropping your plasma tv and breaking it does not qualify as one of the perils. And unless you called the police and pressed charges against junior - theft and vandalism don't apply.

If you have something that is very valuable- such as an engagement ring etc. You can schedule that item on your policy and pay extra premium for this. This will provide coverage for  it getting lost.  Unless you have a 1000 camera, it's probably not cost effective to schedule the item.

Answer 2

You probably can, but a couple of small claims like that will result in a big premium increase or policy cancellation - so think twice before making small item claims.

Answer 3

It is possible but for the compartively small cost of replacing these items you may pay a hefty price in future home insurance premiums.

Home contents insurance bought seperately from your home insurance is offered, did you have this added? If not the increase in your future home insurance premiums is not worth making a claim.

You can read here about home contents insurance and what is covered : http://best-home-owners-insurance.com/Ar...

Answer 4

Ipods, digital cameras and psp would be cheaper to replace than having your premiums go up or have your insurance dropped.

Answer 5

IF ( and I say IF) it were covered, it would be subject to your deductible on your policy - which is probably higher than the value of the items lost.  But, sorry "LOST" is NOT on of the perils that insurance companies insure against.

Let this be a learning lesson to your child and DON'T replace them!!  Maybe when you DO decide to replace them, they will take better care of them.

Chances are they were stolen by your child's friends anyway!!