o2, insurance and iphones (OT)

Basically, I've been on an o2 contract for over 7 years now. Haven't claimed anything on insurance since 2007 but have still been paying £5 a month for it. Upgraded my contract to an iPhone contract and then again to an iPhone 4 (just means you need a smaller mini-sim).

iPhone got knicked last week and I called up o2, they said I'm not insured for the handset as I got it as a birthday present bought from the apple store and not through them. I asked, in that case, what has my insurance been paying for since 2007 and they told me it was paying for that specific handset (which they know, as they apparently record all conversations) that I told them I no longer used in 2008.

Basically I want to know if there is anything I can do? Can I claim either a new phone or a reimbursement of that insurance money on the grounds that they knew it was redundant and therefore if not fraudulent then at the very least indicative of poor customer care?

I know people say ring up and tell them you're leaving but I want to assess my options before I give it the last big stand act!

 

I don't think you could get anything for your phone, but you might be able to get the insurance money back, but it will all depend on the small print! Best to get someone you know who has studied law about it, or consult a professional!

 

Most phone companies have seperate or 'special' insurance for iphones with many loopholes in their favour. It sucks bigtime.

 

o2 are complete bastards when it comes to insurance dude. i despise them. never do a thing to help new customers. i pay my girlfriends contract from my account and use pay as you go for myself. I recently went to get myself a contract phone to get an iphone 4 and they wouldnt give me one as they say my credit check failed. Even though I am currently paying them for a contract and never missed a payment. ****ers.

 

O2 are shocking. They have been ****ing me around for nearly a year now on unlawful overcharges. Don't even bother with their customer service, just ask Ofcom.

 

o2 are great - they always believe my bullshit stories and don't cut me off when I forget to pay bills despite weeks of reminders.

However - o2 Insure are ****, they have numerous departments within o2 Insure and the insurance is not even with them and all the departments have different levels of authority and not one of them goes that extra mile. You will get passed around in circles with some departments not even knowing their own responsibilities.

 

Sue them? What's happened should not stand so why not take legal action.

This is a serious answer by the way.

 

I know someone who had a contract with O2 and was insured through them, when her new phone was stolen and she claimed on her insurance, they sent her a reconditioned phone, even though hers was only six weeks old.
She spoke to trading standards, but found out she was only entitled to a replacement phone, not a new one. It still had the previous owners numbers in it.
A lot of people don't realise they may be insured on their home insurance for their phones, it may be covered as a personal possession.

 

Never bothered with phone insurance despite getting an upgrade to new models most year. As you're finding out it's a waste of money. What a scam considering how much you've spent with them. Leave o2 unless the pay out.