I have been hearing from other people that insurance companies have been asking for proof of servicing when making a claim , Well last week when renewing my caravan insurance with QBE I was informed that I could be ask for proof of servicing when making a claim , So how common is this .
Explorer said
10:19 AM Feb 14, 2016
Brickies,
Some years ago when my daughter was claiming on a stolen then burnt out car, insurance co. asked for service records & on that basis paid Her out at the higher end of the scale. Has been happening for years. Guess that is the only way they can assess the condition of a total loss.
Mike.
RosieW said
12:34 PM Feb 14, 2016
Just got the bus windscreen repaired, no questions asked. Paid policy in November - nothing then either. We are with Ken Tame.
Bruce and Bev said
01:01 PM Feb 14, 2016
hummm.......that's a bloody good question Brickies !
I'm with CIL and have no idea of their attitude to servicing. Many blokes here do their own work, so how do they stand?
The annoying thing is the $$$$ that many caravan repairs want for what is a small service compared to a car. Usually all they do is re-pack the bearings, check and adjust the brakes and then many want $500+ for the job.
I last had mine serviced by the manufacturer and they charged me $199 which is all the work is worth. And I watched them do it - two of them spent about 2 hours on it - did the usual, checked underneath, the hand brake, gas fittings etc.....my selling Dealer want $580 !
Pondy said
01:59 PM Feb 14, 2016
We have just had to claim for repairs to our van we were 500 metres from our house and a tradie reversed into the side of the van
We are with CIL and we called them had the repairer come to our house photograph the damage send them the quote and pictures then had CIL's assessor approve it. At no time did they ask for service details.
We can highly recommend CIL everyone we spoke to was very polite and helpful
hako said
02:02 PM Feb 14, 2016
If you car or caravan is insured for market value and it is a write-off then you will get market value full stop. The onus is on you to state if there is any pre-existing damage to the vehicle when you insure.
Regarding having to prove that the vehicle has been regularly serviced is also shaky ground because many people do their own servicing.
Also they would have to prove that lack of service records contributed to the claim.
That's the way I see it from past claims when nothing has ever been queried - by the way we insure with the cheapest always and just had a household damage claim with YOUI which we were very happy with - they even gave us a considerable ($850) cash settlement for a water stain on some polished wood which they said would be difficult to fix (it went away!). They could have refused our claim because wall linings and achitraves that were damage were made from MDF which is not recommended for bathrooms. The assessor said that was not a problem - the water leak was the "incident' and insurance covered any consequential damage.
Good Luck.
Cupie said
02:20 PM Feb 14, 2016
I'd be seeking first hand details from someone who had this happen to them personally.
Otherwise I would consider it yet another urban myth.
If concerned about it you could check with your insurance company.
Hey Jim said
02:22 PM Feb 14, 2016
I would think in NSW where an annual pink slip after the first five years would cover it.
As Bruce quoted: Repacking the bearings/ and grease nipples and quick adjustment on the drum brakes is about it.( I service my own) They check for wheel Bearing play and brakes working. Check all lights are working covered under the Pink Slip.
Jim
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Sunday 14th of February 2016 02:23:23 PM
brickies said
03:09 PM Feb 14, 2016
Cupie I received from my insurer 2 weeks ago and the bloke next door told me when he got his insurance renewal from Suncrop for his boat trailer last last year which has been insured with them for 20 year , Ask for a current service proof before they would renew the policy , Cost of caravan service can vary a lot had a price of $510 for 4 wheel caravan , But found one for $285 .
Ge said
03:43 PM Feb 14, 2016
Hi Brickies
Some common sense advice here, so just take the easy way phone your insurer
and ask for their answer in writing.
Good luck.
PS: In the last 45yrs i have never been asked or herd of proof of service detail,
thou on your renewal you are asked to state any existing damage ect.
brickies said
04:58 PM Feb 14, 2016
We all hope we don't have to , The bloke next door got his in writing from Suncorp , Mine was from the operator on the phone from QBE when renewing my policy .
Cupie said
10:47 PM Feb 14, 2016
I wonder if they would accept RWCs.
My son does gas certificates for Caravan sellers & he has a mate who does on site RWCs.
Might be worth asking the question of insurers asking for proof of service. Much cheaper than the hassle of having to go to a caravan repair mob.
Just remembered, my Daughter has a mechanic come out to her place to do wheel bearings etc. Not sure what he charges.
hako said
12:15 AM Feb 15, 2016
What does having your caravan serviced have to do with insuring it?
When you insure you home do you have to get it inspected for electrical, plumbing and valued - NO
When you insure the contents do you have to get them inspected, verified, valued and itemised - NO
Same with boat, box trailer and even my hearing aids.
I think this is all to do about nothing.
Good Luck.
delapan said
10:09 AM Feb 15, 2016
hako, seems to me to be another way to get out of paying.......
hako said
11:14 AM Feb 15, 2016
delapan wrote:
hako, seems to me to be another way to get out of paying.......
I suppose they call it "minimisation" - but really they have to be seen to pay out otherwise they will suffer like the Health Benefits Funds where they've lost over 1 million customers in l the last few years mainly due to there being little perceived benefit in staying insured.
If they make it too hard to claim they will simply lose customers.
Regards
Brisand said
04:10 PM Feb 15, 2016
As a retired insurance broker of 35 years experience, I can assure all grey nomads, that if proof of service is required for a claim, it must be stated in their policy document issued at renewal time or when taking out a new policy, if it is not stated then they cannot enforce such a condition, I have never seen it in my 35 years experience.
I have been hearing from other people that insurance companies have been asking for proof of servicing when making a claim , Well last week when renewing my caravan insurance with QBE I was informed that I could be ask for proof of servicing when making a claim , So how common is this .
Brickies,
Some years ago when my daughter was claiming on a stolen then burnt out car, insurance co. asked for service records & on that basis paid Her out at the higher end of the scale. Has been happening for years. Guess that is the only way they can assess the condition of a total loss.
Mike.
I'm with CIL and have no idea of their attitude to servicing. Many blokes here do their own work, so how do they stand?
The annoying thing is the $$$$ that many caravan repairs want for what is a small service compared to a car. Usually all they do is re-pack the bearings, check and adjust the brakes and then many want $500+ for the job.
I last had mine serviced by the manufacturer and they charged me $199 which is all the work is worth. And I watched them do it - two of them spent about 2 hours on it - did the usual, checked underneath, the hand brake, gas fittings etc.....my selling Dealer want $580 !
We are with CIL and we called them had the repairer come to our house photograph the damage send them the quote and pictures then had CIL's assessor approve it. At no time did they ask for service details.
We can highly recommend CIL everyone we spoke to was very polite and helpful
Regarding having to prove that the vehicle has been regularly serviced is also shaky ground because many people do their own servicing.
Also they would have to prove that lack of service records contributed to the claim.
That's the way I see it from past claims when nothing has ever been queried - by the way we insure with the cheapest always and just had a household damage claim with YOUI which we were very happy with - they even gave us a considerable ($850) cash settlement for a water stain on some polished wood which they said would be difficult to fix (it went away!). They could have refused our claim because wall linings and achitraves that were damage were made from MDF which is not recommended for bathrooms. The assessor said that was not a problem - the water leak was the "incident' and insurance covered any consequential damage.
Good Luck.
I'd be seeking first hand details from someone who had this happen to them personally.
Otherwise I would consider it yet another urban myth.
If concerned about it you could check with your insurance company.
I would think in NSW where an annual pink slip after the first five years would cover it.
As Bruce quoted: Repacking the bearings/ and grease nipples and quick adjustment on the drum brakes is about it.( I service my own) They check for wheel Bearing play and brakes working. Check all lights are working covered under the Pink Slip.
Jim
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Sunday 14th of February 2016 02:23:23 PM
Some common sense advice here, so just take the easy way phone your insurer
and ask for their answer in writing.
Good luck.
PS: In the last 45yrs i have never been asked or herd of proof of service detail,
thou on your renewal you are asked to state any existing damage ect.
I wonder if they would accept RWCs.
My son does gas certificates for Caravan sellers & he has a mate who does on site RWCs.
Might be worth asking the question of insurers asking for proof of service. Much cheaper than the hassle of having to go to a caravan repair mob.
Just remembered, my Daughter has a mechanic come out to her place to do wheel bearings etc. Not sure what he charges.
When you insure you home do you have to get it inspected for electrical, plumbing and valued - NO
When you insure the contents do you have to get them inspected, verified, valued and itemised - NO
Same with boat, box trailer and even my hearing aids.
I think this is all to do about nothing.
Good Luck.
I suppose they call it "minimisation" - but really they have to be seen to pay out otherwise they will suffer like the Health Benefits Funds where they've lost over 1 million customers in l the last few years mainly due to there being little perceived benefit in staying insured.
If they make it too hard to claim they will simply lose customers.
Regards
As a retired insurance broker of 35 years experience, I can assure all grey nomads, that if proof of service is required for a claim, it must be stated in their policy document issued at renewal time or when taking out a new policy, if it is not stated then they cannot enforce such a condition, I have never seen it in my 35 years experience.
Brisand.