Hi Fi insurance

Posted by: Chris Metcalfe on 17 December 2001

Recent events around the demise of my Dynavector XX1-L have convinced me that I need specialist hi-fi insurance to complement my standard household policy.

Any advice on the best companies in the UK would be gratefully received.

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Arye_Gur
Several weeks ago I had a problem with my Valhalla that was burned. I described it; a heavy smoke went from the Deck until it trapped the main fuse, the fuse on the Valhalla staid "alive".

The TT was covered by insurance but the insurance company refused to pay. (BTW I bought an Armageddon) - and the reason is that the deck didn't went on fire!

If the deck was completely burned out by fire, I could have a new LP12 without a question. The fact that the main fuse to the house prevented it, and there was only an electrical short on the Valhalla board - was a reason to the insurance company not to pay the damage.

I'm telling you this just in case that the same rules are at your places.

Arye

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Steve B
Can't help with companies I'm afraid but I thought I'd share my past experience with a claim.

About 10 years ago I had an accident with my Linn Troika. The insurance policy stated that Stylii were not covered.

"Hang on," I thought to myself; "the stylus itself isn't damaged." (To me the stylus is the diamond bit stuck on the end of the cantilever).

So I put the words damaged cantilver on the claim form and they paid up for a new cartridge.

Hope this might be of interest to clumsy forum members out there.

Steve B

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by garyi
On our insurance we had to specify the fact we had expensive kit, after much questioning from me they basically said that if any single peice of equipment is worth more than 3000 new then it has to be named on the insurance.

I have photos of the system and cds just in case.

Luckily I havn't had to try it out yet.

Was my CDi worth 3 grand when new?

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Jez Quigley
I'm insured with the Nationwide BS, I wrote to them to tell them I had an ultra expensive (for normal mortals, not Mick Parry) hi-fi system. I detailed it with estimated replacement values. It didn't phase them at all. They wrote back saying that if my total cover for the house contents was enough to cover everything then I should relax. (The only exception to cover was if I used them away from the premises e.g. on holiday - they are clearly not familiar with briks big grin )
Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
Like Daveyp, I'm also with Zurich, who I'd rate as the best insurance company I've dealt with by far.

I also discussed in great detail the HiFi, as I wanted to ensure everything was covered, and received the same response, providing total cover is adequate there are no single item restrictions (and no excess on most items).

As an aside I left my Palmpilot on the roof of my car last year, driving off without realising.

When I 'phoned them to relay the tale, I was offered a cheque, there and then, with no excess payment.

My Palmpilot became a Palm IIIx smile

The only items that really need cataloguing are things such a CD / Vinyl collections - could you remember every album you have?

Without a record (no pun intended) you'll be into the realms of loss assessors and negotiation, a catalogue will usually provide sufficient evidence for proof of ownership.

Andy.

P.S. clever wording Steve!

Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
quote:
I'd also recommend a VERY slow pan across your collections jewel case side flanks with a video camera, keeping the tape in a safe place and doing accasional (3 monthly) re-records.

That has to be worth some kind of prize - brilliantly simple.

I needed an excuse to buy a video camera wink

Andy.

Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Alex S.
I use an excellent broker. Email me if you would like details.

Its obvious I know but the quality of any cover depends not only on how cheap it is but also on what happens when you start claiming.

Alex

Posted on: 18 December 2001 by P
Not.

Legal and General will cover "expensive" Hifi equipment as unspecified items in their contents policy. They're quite reasonable too. I did a lot of shopping around when I moved house recently and these guys came up trumps. Think I read about them on a thread here last year.

P.

Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Daveyp:

p.s. I haven't worked out how to include some footage of the base (s/n) of the video camera yet! other than borrow another camera...heh.


Stand in front of a wall-mounted mirror.

Use a hand-held mirror to reflect the image into the camera lens.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Mick P
P

Mick Parry you nearly are

I am also with Legal and General.

Regards

Mick