Not upheld: Home insurance claim disputes complaint against Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited

Decision detail

Summary

X and Mrs N claimed under the gadget section of their travel insurance policy after belongings were stolen from their car while abroad. Great Lakes declined the claim citing an exclusion for theft from motor vehicles. The policy required evidence of forced and violent entry causing damage for cover to apply. The evidence showed the car was broken into without any damage. The ombudsman upheld Great Lakes' decision to decline the claim as the exclusion was fairly applied, as the required evidence of forced entry causing damage was not present.

The Ombudsman's reasoning

The policy terms clearly state that theft from a motor vehicle is not covered unless all protections are in operation and the gadget is hidden out of sight so that forced and violent entry causing damage is required, with evidence of the thief's damage provided. The evidence submitted showed no damage to the vehicle and no signs of forced entry. Therefore, there is no cover under the relevant section of the policy, and Great Lakes fairly applied the exclusion.

How this compares

Source

Read the original decision on the Financial Ombudsman Service website