Update regarding camera

Please, wahtever you do. Do not take out White Horse insurance when booking a holiday with Thomas Cook.

I called the insurance asking if I could claim for the repair of my camera and was told to send the camera to Walsall, address on letter which was sent to me with the claims form on it.
Initially I was asked how much would it cost?
I said I did not know, I was just calling to ask if you insure for repair of cameras damaged whilst on holiday?
They suggested if I get a quote for repair then they would asses it. After expalining that the camera repair shop takes roughly £80.00 just to get a quote for repair was a bit much.
They agreed and told me to just send the camera and they will do the rest.

After sending the camera and forms with a letter and copy of whom I bought camera from and at what cost etc. I got a bit concerned as they had not got back to me after two weeks.
I called and was told I had not sent in claim forms all they got was a letter and details of sale.
I sent the whole camera to them with charged battery ,battery grip, memory card, lens and camera body.
I assumed they would test the camera for damage. I assumed wrong.

The claim forms were in the box and I placed the letter and details on top of box.
I told them if they actually look in the box, they will see the claims form.

I was then told in no uncertain terms that I had not sent forms, they were not there.
I insisted that I did and told them again to look in the box I sent the camera in.
I was then told that they needed to get the box.
I obviously asked where is the box? If you got the letter, you got the box.........

Told that it was in another department and will get colleague to get it to her and she would call me back. No call came so I called the next day.

Explained again what the problem was, girl sadi Oh I have the box and there is nothing in it.
I asked if she actually looked INSIDE the box?
I'll go do that now..........She does and comes back full of apologies.
The forms are there where I said they would be.

Then told they will deal with matter right away and send me a letter.
I asked when will I get my camera back? I was told to wait for letter after they asses he claim
I ask what is in the letter?
I can't tell you. Just wait for letter to arrive which should arrive in a few days.
No letter arrived by expected date so i call and ask where is the letter and where is my camera?
I'm then told that it is an Irish holiday weekend so it will take longer than origionally told.

Letter finally arrives today. Your claim is accepted, expect a check in 5-10 days for £250.00.

Great! I call and ask when is my camera being returned?

Oh! You don't get the camera back, we are "salvageing" it.

WTF!!!!!!

The battery grip was £235 alone, why the heck are they keeping the camera? And why is it in Ireland when it was sent to Walsall? And considering I sent about £1,000 worth of camera and accessories, why would I accept £250?
Needless to say I was none to pleased to put it mildly.

I tell them to cancel check and send my camera back.
I aslo explained I have wasted the best part of the season for photographing wildlife for a complete waste of time with their claims office.
I was then informed that Ihad to pay 25 Euros to have it returned back recorded delivery.

WTF!!!!!!! It only cost £8. 65 to send to Walsall recorded delivery.
What's this 25 Euros?

I was told that camera was in Ireland as the PO box number in Walsall is what they use for claims.
Seriously, if I knew it was going to Ireland, I would not have sent it there in the first place.
She then said why would I say that?

I told her not to play the bigoted/racist card with me.
I meant that Ireland is expensive and I wouldn't even go there for a day trip due to friends telling me how expensive it is.
Obviously, I wouldn't send camera there knowingly, knowing it would cost more than twice as much to send it back. Simples.

I explain I do not have a check book.........who does these days?
Send a postal order, was the reply.
A postal order is more cost.
If you want your camera you have to pay with a postal order.
Can I not pay with my CC?
No postal order or check.

I hang up after a few choice words. Not bad words as they record the calls.


I call a lawyer and he tells me to call them back, speak to a supervisor which I allready did, asking them for their bank details and I will send the money via my bank. And then make sure a complaints form is sent which will be sent to the governing body of insurers.

I do this and was told they do not do bank transfers and will send a complaints form after a pause when informing them of the governing body of insurers.

They have recorded all my calls which will of course prove that in no way was I ever once informed of "salvageing" my camera or indeed this is what will happen.
It was only for an assessment for a repair.

I was actually given no answer to my letter, no response to my calls when I asked what happens if my claim is successful? Will I get camera back to get it repaired or do they send it off to get repaired and pay the bill?


They will obviously have the calls where they argue with me about the claim forms not being sent which of course were. And the discussions regarding the other calls made.


I finish up by telling the girl that my phone calls that were recorded better not suddenly "be deleted" or anything else untoward regarding the recorded phone calls.

I will send the PO tomorrow and let's see how long it takes to receive it? This should be interesting.

This is just for a camera repair claim. What's it going to be like if people seriously injure themselves on holiday and have to make a claim to this shower of eejits?

I have a check coming for £3,350, hopefully sooner, rather than later and with money allready saved up, will get a new camera. I just sent off letter accepting compensation from Glasgow City Council because of their discrimination.
Got over £7,000 two years ago from them and it was later discovered they had not paid the right amount to all the women who were discriminated against.
So this money is for the short payment initially.

Anyway. Do not take out insurance with white horse insurance. Absolutely hopeless and incompetant organisation.

Rant over