Claims Zone: A funny thing happened…

Helen Brown looks at some of the claims that provide a unique snapshot of life

Each year, the Hiscox claims team resolves about 12,000 private client claims, and it is their professionalism and willingness to go that extra mile that makes Hiscox’s claims service excellent. We know how critical a quick, fair and flexible service is to insurers – after all, it’s one of the main drivers of customer loyalty and retention.

Over the years, the claims team has had to deal with some unusual cases, ranging from the theft of dentures and security cameras to golfball-sized hailstones making holes in barn roofs. Claims Service Manager Lisa Kerry says: “Claims is an area where reality is often stranger than fiction! But no matter what circumstances the client finds themself in, the first thought of the claims underwriter is always ‘how can I best assist the client?’ A huge amount of empathy is required to be an effective claims underwriter. At Hiscox, we recruit people who look for ways to cover claims rather than avoid them – no matter how unusual!”

A cut above the rest
Spare a thought for the man who stumbled while mowing his neatly kept lawn – he hit the accelerator and mowed straight through his patio doors.

A fruity fire
One person mistakenly put a can of tinned fruit on their fire. Bang! When it exploded, everything in the room was coated in hot syrup. A very sticky situation indeed.

Open and shut case
When a couple broke down on the motorway, they fixed their punctured tyre themselves. They returned their tools to the car boot and set off on their journey. Unfortunately, their luggage was left sitting by the side of the road, having been removed from the boot to access the spare tyre.

Remote control
Finally, a client playing with her child stood on the TV remote and slipped. Trying to steady herself, she grabbed hold of the nearest object. Unfortunately, she pulled the  television on to the stereo system and both were wrecked in the process.