Questionable questionnaire
Kevin and his wife travel with their daughter, Elisa, to Bali. When Elisa’s departure is delayed, she returns home later than expected. However, because Elisa’s return flights are to Australia, Kevin’s claim is declined.
Topic: Insurance
Zap goes the Dolphin
The fridge on Darryl’s boat stopped working. On closer inspection Darryl found that all the boat’s electrical components are damaged and the inverter has failed. An electrical inspector thinks the inverter failed because of a power surge from the mains power supply while the boat was charging at the dock. Will Darryl’s insurance respond?
Have you got it covered?
A small business owner had business interruption insurance to cover loss of profits in the event he was unable to operate his business. Tragically, the business owner was murdered at his business premises and the business ceased trading. His widow filed a claim under the owner’s business interruption insurance policy, claiming that the murder had resulted in ongoing and permanent interruption to the business. Was the insurer liable to pay out?
Policy fit for purpose if policy purposefully excludes claim?
Laura travelled to Canada to attend her nephew’s wedding. En route to the wedding, Laura stayed a night at a B&B. She left one of her suitcases in her rental car parked in the B&B’s carpark. The suitcase was stolen overnight. Laura’s insurer declined her claim for her stolen property.
An anxious wait following an abnormal smear result
The insured cancels her travel because she expected to receive a hospital appointment during the period of her travel.
Attack of the Kelp! Help!
In March 2015 Josh contacted FSCL about a complaint against his boat insurer. Josh’s claim to cover damage to his outboard motor due to overheating was declined by Sail Away, but Josh did not agree with the reasons the claim was declined.
A small bowel obstruction becomes a big problem
Pauline, an international student from the United States, needed surgery to remove abdominal adhesions while she was in New Zealand. Pauline had received surgery for the same issue prior to coming to New Zealand. Does her travel insurance policy cover the cost of her treatment?
If in doubt – disclose, disclose, disclose!
Shane sees an insurance adviser to review his insurance policies. Shane and the adviser do not disclose Shane’s high cholesterol and high blood sugar on an application for replacement cover with a new insurance company. The new insurer then loads Shane’s premium and Shane complains his adviser wrongfully advised him not to disclose his pre-existing medical conditions on the application form.
A ski trip goes downhill
While on a ski trip in Japan, Justin’s friend and travel companion sadly committed suicide. Justin took his friend’s ashes back to New Zealand and attended the funeral. Justin’s travel insurer denied his claim for his extra travel costs because an exclusion clause in the policy excluded cover for losses resulting from suicide. Justin thought the exclusion clause should only exclude cover for losses arising from an insured’s suicide.
Infection causers travel cancellation
Michael waited until after he had booked his trip to Europe to organise travel insurance. Michael did not disclose a recent skin infection to his insurer. A short time later Michael’s skin infection flared up requiring serious treatment. Michael had to cancel his trip but his insurer refused to cover his cancellation costs saying the condition was pre-existing. Michael complains this is unfair.
