TBAM.. that was very helpful.. now, because of what you said in your last bit (about your lens being dropped) i have another question.. and the reason for it, is my lack of understanding in what insurance is for.... you dropped your camera in the sand, and it messed up the lens, and they covered the replacement for you?? I'm actually in a similar situation... except i didnt drop it, we just had it on the beach and sand got into the lens, and i am getting that grinding sound... are you telling me my insurance will replace that for me, even though it was a stupid mistake on my behalf?? If so, I can think of a pile of things (valubles) that i've dropped and have been messed up or broken as a result of that...
No worries Chris.
Because you didn't drop your camera, nor was it a specific event, more a realisation that placing your camera in a circumstance has now adversely effected it's performance. Proceeding with a claim will depend on your personal choice and your ability to describe what happened in a way that applies to the policy.
If you are covered for accidental damage away from the situation (usually your home), then this
could be covered, but depending on your insurer, they could push towards a denial that you will have to defend.
The reason for the denial, is that a specific incident hasn't really occurred. You have been at a beach where sand is prevalent, and the camera has been exposed to this.
In making a claim, you have to support your claim by showing that a sudden or unforseen event has occurred.
In taking your camera to the beach, it is not really a sudden or unforseen event. With the prevalence of sand, it is not surprising that the camera has taken on some of that sand.
Much like taking your camera out in the rain.
You could say that you dropped the camera in the sand, or that an event occurred causing the camera to go into the sand. However, depending on what really happened, this may be fraud. It is fraud they will not be able to prove, so it is entirely up to your own conscience if you decide to pursue this.
In saying that, Insurance is essentially your community combining money into a pool/fund, that the investors need to draw upon in times of need. An Insurance Company predominantly monitors this pool of money in order to delegate the money justly.
So if you make a claim that is fraudulent, you are essentially taking money from other people just like yourself, who have invested in this fund in case their house burns down, or incase an event happens that is outside of their control to remedy.
The decision is up to you. Claiming the lens may get you a new lens, or to get the lens repaired, but it is also a claim on your record. If you have several of these kinds of claims, they may see you as a high risk customer and increase your policy premium, or adjust your excess. Or depending on the overall value, they may decide to investigate you to see if the claims were adequately supported and not fraudulent.
It may sound all doom and gloom. But the choice really is up to you.
Take your lens to a repairer yourself, the repair cost might be low. Even if it isn't and you do decide to claim, you have a repairers report ready (which they will refund you the cost of) to assist in the settlement of the claim.
In regards to the person who told you to say the camera is destroyed as opposed to repairable. You usually need to supply a repairers report from a legally/technically qualified repairer confirming it is uneconomical to repair (i.e. it is more expensive to repair the camera than to replace).
In an example of some of the above points:
- I play the drums and claimed the theft of my cymbals (around $3000). There was no evidence of forced entry into my garrage, i'm not sure how they broke in.
- I claimed for the accidental loss of my sunglasses
- I also claimed for the accidental dropping of my camera in the sand
- My garage was then broken into again, somehow no forced entry and all my drums were stolen, aropund $15,000 worth of gear.
I was then investigated for fraud, to see if all of my claims lined up, and that I did not fraudulently lodge the second theft claim (as it was the second theft claim with no forced entry).
It was found that I was not guilty of fraud and the event did take place. However our policy premium was increased slightly, and we now have a condition on our policy that requires locks on absolutely every inch of the house now.
That's an example, of why it may not be the best idea to claim for everything you can think of, as well as how your claims can affect your policy, and that the Insurers do pay attention.
Another part of the reason for investigation was because I was a staff member too. But yeah, you get my point.
Hope this helps.
