August 2, 1999
RE: Baggage Insurance Claim
Dear Claims Department Representative:
In the early morning hours of August 20, 1998, the articles
reported in this letter were stolen from the vehicle that I was
traveling in at the time. This vehicle (1980 Toyota Hilux; Reg.
# CA74377) was forcibly entered via the triangular window on the
left side of the car. The thief(ves) damaged the window of this
car and was/were thus able to enter the vehicle. As a result, my
large internal frame backpack, and all its contents, was stolen
out of the vehicle. All the items that were stolen from me were
new and were bought from the store exclusively for this trip (exceptions
are item #’s 25 & 26 on following page.) None of the items stolen
from me were ever retrieved, as was learned during subsequent visits
to the Zimbabwe police station.
The above event took place in the parking lot of the Backpackers
& Overlanders Lodge, P.O. Box AP120, Airport, H’RE., Harare,
Zimbabwe. The owners of this lodge took no responsibility for the
theft. The owners of the lodge assisted in the police investigation
and followed all laws and regulations regarding tourist theft policy
in accordance to the laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The owners
of Backpackers & Overlanders Lodge held no responsibility for
the items stolen from me because the items were not taken from the
indoor confines of the lodge.
My mother—who acted as my contact here—contacted AIG immediately
following this incident. An AIG representative said that I should
file this claim upon my return home, which is now.
I was covered under the Plan B—Baggage Protection policy at
the time the possession listed on the next page were forcibly stolen
from me. This policy states that:
“Insurer will reimburse you up to the maximum shown on
the Schedule of Coverages for loss, theft or damage to baggage
and personal effects. The Insurer will pay the lesser of the following:
actual cash value at the time of loss, less depreciation as determined
by the Insurer, or the cost of repair of replacement… .”
According to the policy coverage statement, and due to the
circumstances of the theft of my belongings, I am entitled to a
full compensation of items stolen (totaling $814.42) or replacement
costs (totaling $579.66) as determined by you. Please note that
the exclusions of this policy do not apply to me as my circumstances
fit within none of those listed under the policy given to me by
Council Travel. This was verified during a recent telephone conversation
with a Claims Department Representative who stated that belongings
stolen from a car are covered under this policy. I have a recording
of this conversation on audio cassette.
The following submission contains detailed information regarding
the items stolen from me while I was covered under the above policy.
Included with this letter are:
- An itemized list of items stolen from myself on August 20, 1998.
- Original police report from Zimbabwe Republic Police, Hartfield
Station, verifying the occurrence.
- Copies of original receipts of items stolen
- Copies of receipts of items replaced and sent me while abroad.
I would like this claim to be followed up in a timely manner,
and I plan on receiving my compensation of at least $597.66 no later
than Sept. 15, 1999. If you have any further questions, please feel
free to contact me.
Yours Truly,
Me |
