Jago Grahak Jago

Recently i had lost a mobile costing about Rs.10000-00. When i purchased this mobile i was sold insurance by the retailer saying it covers even theft.

Feeling not so sad about the loss of phone, considering that i had coverage, i went to the retailer and asked how i should go about filing for my insurance coverage. He promptly gave me a form and told where i should go and submit the same after fulfilling all the requirements.

Thought let me first read the conditions under which my mobile was covered, as they say Devil is in the detail, i realised how futile would be my effort to ask for payment under the policy.

COVERAGE:

1. Fire
2. Riot, Strike, Terrorist activity
3. Theft by Unknown Person
4. Loss or Total Damage arising out of Road Accidents only

Since my loss didn't fall under any of the above categories, decided to see what is said under exclusions.

EXCLUSIONS:

1. Loss due to theft or damage due to attempted theft from any unattended vehicle: So, if you leave your phone in your car and somebody steals it, then you don't get covered.
2. Loss or damage caused while driving or traveling the insured's own vehicle: If you go in your own vehicle and have an accident, forget about the coverage, what they are telling effectively is use public transport.
3. Loss or damage arising out of negligence, carelessness, poor care and maintenance, intentional and willful act: If the phone falls from your hand and breaks, sorry we don't cover you.
4. Mysterious disappearance, missing, misplaced or forgotten mobile instrument: If you left it ina restaurant, Toilet, on your car roof or any such place where you are most likely to forget things, there goes your chance.
5. Loss or damage while under the custody of a third party: If your friend, family member losses it or some one steals it from them, gone are your chances.
6. Loss or damage due to operation of war, warlike operations and nuclear perils: Thank God, you may not fall under this category, if you do, mercy be upon you.
7. Loss or damage caused by wear and tear, moth, vermin, atmospheric or climatic conditions or gradual deterioration, inherent defect or from any process of cleaning, repairing, renovation or maintenance: They just ensured that you don't get any coverage
8. Loss or damage covered by supplier or dealer or under warranty: So no duplicate coverage

This will be another area where the last hopes of any chance of getting a claim settled will get doused.

Documents to be produced at the time of claim In case of Theft: Duly Completed Claim Immediate (not later than 48 hours) Complaint letter given by the customer to the Police, acknowledged by Police Authorities with CSR Copy / 76a / E - seva issued by Police Authorities for less than Rs.15,000/- value phone F.I.R copy is MUST for Mobile Valued above Rs.15, 000/ value phone Non traceable certificate issued by police authorities: This is normally not issued before six months Sim Deactivation Acknowledgement or Sim Replacement (with old Sim Details) with SEAL of the service provider. Original Invoice Translation of Complaint Copy in English Sign the claim form User name should be same in claim form, Sim bill and invoice bill: This is the twist in the tale, just in case Sim that was used in the lost mobile is in any other name, other than the mobile purchaser, your claim goes for a six.

This is only one part of the story, the claim form clearly says the premium paid by us is 1.5% of the value, where as, the retailer takes from you 3% of the value, where the balance amount goes, only the retailer has to explain.

General insurance is normally worth for those who put up large size claims, this whole rip-off by the mobile/Tablet retailers by telling us our instrument is covered under insurance is another simple case of buying insurance in bulk and getting a better margin from us on their sale. 

Buyer beware.