Claiming your new iPhone has been stolen when you really lost it could land you in hot water. Unfortunately, some iphone insurance company’s do not provide full protection in the event that an iPhone is lost, so when a consumer finds themselves in the situation where they have missed placed their iPhone, many take the decision to claim that their iPhone has been stolen, simply so they can make a claim on their iPhone insurance policy.
An error of judgment like making a theft claim rather than a loss claim can haunt the consumer and bring problems in future years, who may think that no one would ever know about their manipulation of the truth. Unfortunately this may not be the case any more, as iPhone insurance cover providers are now actively trying to seek out customers who they believe may be making a false claim by stating that their iPhone has been stolen.
Many insurance companies now have more intelligent claims procedures where customers have claimed an item has been stolen, with trained advisers asking claimants certain questions about the alleged theft and how it took place, these advisers are trained to spot certain re-occurring patterns that are common among false insurance claims.
|Fake insurance claims have cost the insurance industry millions over the past 5 years, and many companys are now fighting back. Fraud such as iPhone insurance theft claims are getting relatively easy for insurance providers to spot and stamp out, taking the customer claim over recorder phone calls, certain questions are asked that will route out many of the rouge claims of theft, which many insurance providers now insisting in taking legal action against its red faced clients.|Bogus insurance claims are becoming increasingly easy for the modern and forward thinking insurance company to detect. By interviewing claimants verbally over the phone during the claims process, similar patterns of deception have become easily detectable. Fraudulent claims, such as declaring your iPhone stolen, when it was really lost, have reportedly cost the industry over a billion in revenue over the last few years. [/spin]
Unfortunately, many people seem to be unaware that making a false claim on something as small as the insurance policy for an iPhone is classed as insurance fraud, which if convicted, could land you with a criminal conviction. Now that must be a real wake up call for the average man in the street, a criminal record can have all sorts of negative affects on your future, from job applications to being refused insurance in other areas, such as laptop insurance, automotive and even home insurance products.
Due to an estimated one in ten theft claims for iPhone Insurance being suspected of being fake, think again before you make a false claim. iPhone insurance providers require a Police incident number before they will start to process your iPhone insurance claim. In order to get a Police incident number you will have to report your iPhone as stolen to the Police and make a statement to that effect, the Police are also actively getting involved with insurance fraud of this nature. So not only could you end up with a criminal conviction for insurance fraud, you could also add wasting police time or even attempting to pervert the course of justice, all because your iPhone cover did not cover you for loss!
A couple of simple ways to avoid this uncomfortable situation could be not to make false claims of theft and secondly, check before you take out any iPhone insurance, that the policy will actually cover you in the event that you are careless with your favourite Apple device, after all, that is why we want insurance protection, to offer cover for us in our moments of need.
Category Archives: Insurance
Is Health Insurance Exchange Navigator Program Attracting Criminals
The health insurance exchange navigator program has come to be seen as a life savior for the Obama administration after the healthcare.gov fiasco. With a crumbling website and all hands dedicated to keeping it from falling, the health insurance exchange navigators are making sure that people are able to go through the enrollment process. Some navigators are also utilizing the skills gained through the exchange navigator program and helping people with paper applications, especially when the online applications fail. In a nutshell, the millions of dollars given as grants to these navigators are being put to good use in every state.
However, there is a downside to this seemingly angelic attempt by organizations to help people enroll on the marketplaces. In the last couple of weeks, it has come to the notice of the government that several criminals and shady characters are making use of the exchange navigator program to make money. There have been several cases that have demonstrated hidden agenda of working navigators, including a suggestion for applicants to lie on their profile so that they can save a few dollars on premiums. For instance, in an incident in Dallas, three navigators were fired when they were caught on video trying to advise a senior citizen to not to mention tobacco use on his application as it might lower his chances of getting subsidy and low premiums.
Another incident of New York shows the loopholes in the health insurance exchange navigator program, and how a car service company, a cupcake bakery, and a spa saloon were listed as health insurance exchange navigators. While it is not clear whether this was done intentionally, it still exposes the gaps that exist in the whole selection process.
In the light of these events, several other states have become wary of criminals and illegitimate people making use of the exchange navigator program for their hidden agendas. Florida, for instance, has made sure that since these navigators have access to SSN and tax information of applicants who utilize their assistance, all such navigators need to be checked for a criminal history, including a fingerprinting check and criminal background check. Several other states are thinking to follow suit.
However, while these measures show the administration’s vigilance in selecting the right candidates for a job that puts them closer to sensitive information, such actions could cause a severe side effect which the government cannot sustain at the moment – obstruction of navigator function. Several navigators have complained that after receiving the federal grant, they have had to go through extensive interviews again and again for verification of their credibility. While these navigators do not find this to be extremely wrong, they cite wastage of time that could be used for enrolling people, as a major concern.
Claim Settlement Record Of Indian Insurance Companies
An insurance contract between the insurance company and the insured is one of trust. The moment of truth in this relationship appears when there is a claim by the insured (in the case of a non life policy) or by the dependents (in the case of a life insurance claim). Till that moment comes, everything is hunky dory- premiums are being paid regularly by the clients, and the insurance company is only too happy receiving them. However, the moment a claim appears, an insurance company proceeds to evaluate the claim closely, as every claim paid out is an expense for the company, hurting profitability. Thus, there is a basic conflict here: the insured wants the maximum claim to be paid, while the insurance company would like to reduce the claims outflow to the extent possible.
From a customers point of view, it is very important to study the claims settlement history of a life insurance or a general insurance company before deciding to purchase an insurance policy from that company. During the sales process, the sales representatives will be all sugar and honey so that the prospective customer signs up. But the fact of the matter is that if the insurance company you are considering has a bad history of claims settlement, there is a high probability that you will face a claim rejection or reduction when the time comes for you or your nominees to file a claim.
We had a close look at the claim settlement data of the various insurance companies. This is what that data tells us:
LIFE INSURANCE: Apr 09-Mar 10
Life Insurance Company
Total Claims (%)
Claims Paid (%)
Claims refused (%)
Claims pending at year end (%)
LIC
100
96.54
1.21
1.41
Private Insurers
100
84.88
7.6
7.48
Total
100
95.24
1.93
2.08
NON LIFE INSURANCE :Apr 09- Mar 10
Category
Public Sector
Private Sector
Total
Fire
81
73
80
Marine
76
86
78
Motor
88
80
85
Health
120
92
111
Others
57
57
57
TOTAL
88
80
86
The table above clearly reveals that the Public sector insurance companies are more generous in terms of paying claims. The life insurance data shows that LIC pays almost 97% of the claims while the private life insurance companies pay about 85% of the claims. The same pattern is revealed in the non life insurance sector also where on an overall basis, the claims ratio of the public non life companies is higher than that of the private general insurance companies. However, one needs to be careful here before jumping to a conclusion. It could very well be that in the public companies are sourcing the wrong kind of business with lax underwriting norms, whereas the private companies would be more stringent at the entry time itself. However, the worrying part is the claims denied ratio of the private life insurance companies which is over 7%. In the case of a life company, the claim is a death. There can be no ambiguity here- someone is either dead or alive. The repudiation figure of 7% seems mysteriously high here.
In the next post, we will delve deeper and look into the claims breakup at the individual private company level.
Boat Insurance – Safeguarding From Undesirable Eventualities
Optional insurance normally involves protection for affordable repairs, emergency services to your boat, motor, or boat trailer, and wreck elimination. Where by there has only been constrained injury to the vessel, partial hurt repairs include the restoration a smaller amount any objects that can be deducted.
Agreed volume worth boat insurance policies suggest that the proprietor of the boat and the insurance business have made the decision on the expense of the boat, and in the aftermath of a whole loss the owner will be compensated with that volume. Agreed volume worth policies also substitute outdated objects with new ones, unique of any assumption for depreciation. The bulk of agreed total worth boat insurance policies necessitate actual dollars worth on certain destroyed property like sails, protective addresses, batteries, dinghies, trailers and aged outboard motors, decrease drive units etc.tc.
The two chief features of boat insurance are legal obligation, or security and insurance and home loss. The liability segment covers the proprietor from claims by a third celebration if any injury is induced to that person or his home by the insured vessel. It is just as significant to find a boat insurance agent that seems to be following his consumers by obtaining the most effective policies and obtaining the greatest settlements really should they require them. Equally significant when searching for a boat insurance policy is to have an individual with beneficial legal backup ought to it be required as a liability claim that is covered underneath the boat insurance policy be brought from you.
If you very own a boat you possibly know about the value of owning boat insurance. There is a large likelihood that your boat represents a enormous investment that is why in buy to shield that investment you need to have to get boat insurance. Also if you plan to sail into inland waters and want to be permitted into a great deal of harbors boat insurance is a will need to in buy to receive license.
Before we explore boat insurance quotes lets see what are the items the insurance can cover for. Insurance can deliver cover for natural disasters as very well as for any variety of injury or injury that can come about to your boat due to an accident or a third social gathering. Other dangers that could be covered contain fire, theft, sinking or explosions. Some policies cover for 3rd party liability which suggests that if your boat ended up to result in injuries or hurt to an individual else or even nearly anything else, then the insurance business will cover for it. When you have established the dangers that the policy desires to cover for you can transfer to talking about about boat insurance quotes.
In order to get the greatest quotes for your boat you need to have to some homework in purchase to be able to examine amongst a number of quotes. It is suggested that you in no way go for the initial quote you obtain. Always consider the amount that the policy covers for and the selling price so that you can get the ideal out of your revenue.
Things To Avoid While Buying Travel Insurance
Travelers buy travel insurance with a view to make their trip safer and worry free. The common mistake that travelers make is to buy travel insurance without analyzing the coverage that the plan provides. This is not only a waste of money but can put you into serious trouble if you have to depend on the travel insurance plan on your trip. There are some common pitfalls that one must avoid while buying travel insurance. Some of them are:
Dont make false declarations
While buying a travel insurance plan you will have to speak out any existing medical conditions that you may be facing or may have faced in the past. It is very important that you make correct declaration while taking the plan. Making false declarations might save you money for now but could lead to your claim if any being rejected in the future. This is because if the insurer finds out that you were suffering from an ailment which you did not disclose, the insurance contract can be terminated.
Dont wait till the last minute
One common mistake that travelers make is to buy travel Insurance at the last minute. This can turn out to be a disaster move as the policy might not have the coverage that you require. Last minute buying will not give you time to read the fine print of the policy and determine whether it meets all your requirements. Planning your requirements in advance and choosing your travel insurance plan will also save you money. This is because you will get ample time to check and compare premiums of different service providers.
Dont break the law
The golden rule of travelling is to always abide by the laws of the country of your travel. Your travel insurance policy will not serve any purpose in case you enter into any illegal activity. The coverage of your travel insurance plan is limited to legal activities alone. The best thing to do is to check the rules and regulations of the country you are planning to visit before your travel. This will help you have a better understanding of the local rules and will help you abide by them.
Dont enter into adventure sports unless your insurance covers it
Normal travel insurance plans do not cover any hazardous or dangerous activities while on travel. Hence it is very important to plan in advance the kind of activities that you will be taking part in before you travel. If you plan to go for skydiving or paragliding make sure that you buy additional coverage for it along with your regular travel insurance plan. Sufficient coverage would be of great help in case you sustain injuries or meet with an accident while doing such activities.
Dont buy without reading the fine print
This is the most important rule of all. Never buy insurance unless you have gone through the terms and conditions mentioned in the policy. This will give you a clear close idea as to what you are covered and what you are not covered for.
These are some of the important point that can help you avoid the common pitfalls while buying travel insurance. Above all use your commonsense before signing on that dotted line.