Purrfect Drop Insurance Assessors

Tag: deductibles

  • FAQ: What Is a Deductible, and Why Is It Always the Cat’s Fault?

    FAQ: What Is a Deductible, and Why Is It Always the Cat’s Fault?

    A deductible is the amount you pay before we pay. This FAQ explains the concept using a simple example.

    What is a deductible?

    Imagine a mug is knocked from a table and breaks. The mug was worth ten coins. Your deductible is five coins. You pay five coins, and we pay five coins, less a handling fee, less a reduction for the edge.

    Why is there one?

    Deductibles ensure that policyholders take care of their belongings. We believe nothing encourages tidiness like a small financial loss.

    Can I reduce my deductible?

    Yes. For a higher premium, you can have a lower deductible. For a lower premium, you can have a higher deductible. For no premium, you can have our sympathy.

    Is it always the cat’s fault?

    Not always. Sometimes it is the dog, a child or a draught. In those cases the claim is handled by a different department, which is also a cat.

    A worked example

    A policyholder owns a ceramic teapot worth forty coins. The teapot is knocked from a counter and shatters. The policyholder has a deductible of ten coins. We assess the teapot at thirty five coins, since it was already chipped. We deduct ten coins, leaving twenty five, and then subtract a handling fee of two coins. The policyholder receives twenty three coins, a letter and a long look.

    Tips for choosing a deductible

    If you have a cat who naps all day, choose a low deductible, since you will rarely need it. If you have a cat who patrols at night, choose a high deductible, since you will need it often. If you have two cats, choose a very high deductible and a very strong cup of tea.

    Final thoughts

    A deductible is not a punishment. It is a conversation between you, us and the floor. We hope this answers your questions, and we hope you will keep the receipt.

  • Frequently Declined Claims: The Short List

    Frequently Declined Claims: The Short List

    Every year we handle thousands of claims, and every year we are asked why some of them are not paid. This list explains the ten most frequent reasons, in descending order, with a note on each from our adjusters.

    The list

    1. The object was on the edge. Any object on an edge is considered to have made a choice.

    2. The object was already cracked. An object that is cracked has had a life, and we respect that.

    3. The object was fragile. This sounds obvious, but it is surprising how often it comes up.

    4. The cat was not at home. We cannot assess a crime without a suspect.

    5. The cat was at home but asleep. See above.

    6. The cat was at home and awake but sitting very still. We find this the most suspicious of all.

    7. The claim form was filled out in pencil. Pencil is not a commitment.

    8. The claim form was filled out by the cat. This happens more often than you would think.

    9. The object was a candle. Candles are considered to be “already in motion”.

    10. The householder said the words “it just fell”. Nothing just falls.

    A note on the edge

    Our underwriters have spent many years studying the edge, and have concluded that it cannot be insured against, because it is the essence of the thing. If you wish to protect an object, move it away from the edge. If you wish to protect a cat, you cannot.

    Appeals

    A declined claim can be appealed within thirty days using Form 9C. The form requires you to state your case in three sentences, one photograph and a drawing of how you feel. All appeals are reviewed by a panel of three adjusters, who will each give their view in the form of a small yawn.

    How to avoid being on this list

    Move the object. That is all. Move it into a cupboard, a box or a different room, and the cat will find it anyway, but we will respect your effort. If you do not wish to move the object, you may wish to move yourself, ideally to somewhere with fewer shelves.