Hi all,

Just before Christmas the cellar in our shared flats was broken into and the bastards got away with my bike (fourth one to be stolen in four years living here).

Unfortunately I can't find the receipt, and though I've been back to the shop from which I bought it they were unable to help me with any records either. My question is, and I'm guessing I probably know the answer already, will this preclude me entirely from being able to claim it on insurance?

I guess I could show my credit card bill which may help. We have not made any other claims in three years of having house insurance.

Thanks for any help,

Jon

Police report>?
Bank card transaction?

It's been my experience (1x when living in Germany) when making a claim for theft to my insurance company, the first thing I was asked for was a copy of the police report.

Unless you want to provide the full copy of your insurance policy that describes all of the exclusions and procedures for people to read, the best people to ask how to make a claim and what proof/documentation needs to be provided is your insurance company.

It will depend entirely on your ensurer Jon. Here in Vaud our Vaudoise insurance has been absolutely brilliant in this respect. we have had two bikes stolen, the police wouldn't give us the time of day without receipts for them which we didnt have. One visit to the Vaudoise office and they took our word for it and asked only that we drop into a nearby bike shop and got the proprietor to list how much replacement bikes would cost. Couldn't rate them better to be honest.

Thanks all. I have filed a report with the police and am awaiting a number to provide the insurance company. Not holding out much hope.

If I get another one I'm going to start sleeping next to it.

To reiterate what Mikers said, my experience in Switzerland is that insurance companies overwhelmingly give you the benefit of the doubt. Every time I've made a claim against an insurance policy here, the companies have demanded minimal or no documentation and have been very helpful in paying claims.

My sense is that the Swiss generally shoot straight, so there isn't a huge culture of insurance fraud here -- and as a result, insurance companies are much more trusting.

Just a small hint. Since bikes get stolen from time to time, I tend to fill in the bike pass that is provided with the purchase and to enter the frame number in the pass. Thus the bike can be traced.

Do you mean the vignette? If so - they're no longer mandatory. (Just checking).

Hi Jon.
What the shop say's is total rubbish. They must keep all sales records for at least 10 years in Switzerland. (Tax office control this)
If you have the date of your credit card bill, to find the bill of sale is no problem.
Just say that if you get Insurance money, you will buy a new bike.

Salut Zämma

Hi Jon,

I am in a similar situation, did you insurance company replied to you (positive or negative)?

Liebe Grüsse
Lucie

I reported a stolen bike over the phone

I had lodged a lost bike notice at the police station in advance

I told the insurance company everything they wanted to know over the phone. The case was opened and closed on the one phone call, and the money was in my bank account about 1 week later

I was not asked to provide evidence of purchase

I was taken at my word - and I was completely honest.

Perfect service.

I never keep any recipes for anything, I am not claiming anything against tax so it's up to me what I spend my money on!

I didn't know cooking could get you money back from the tax man!

Ya ok!
Ever thought how much it would cost for an insurance agent to investigate each bicycle theft? Exactly, less than what the claim of the bicycle was....thus, they have theshold of approximate possible cost which have to be surpassed in order for the claim to be investigated.

"Dear [fill-in-policy-holder-name],

In order to allow us to process your insurance claim, please send by return mail copy of the police report and purchase bill.

Yours,

Your insurance"

Total cost - 1CHF postage, plus 5 minutes' worth of a temp's time to do the filing when / if the paperwork comes in.

Absolutely, this way there is no chance to fraud the insurance company. As I mentioned before, there is a threshold of approximate possible cost before anybody is going to investigate anything.

FriendlyKiwi, your follow up with Insurance company sounds hassle free. Who are you insured with?

Mobiliar.
With the Diebstahl Auswärts option.

My bike also got stolen, SO ANGRY

Has same experience with insurance company (Axa Winthertur) I called them up just to ask how to do it, what was needed etc.

The guy was super nice, handled everything super quickly and actually sent me a link to their own online shop where you can spend the money. you do not have to, but it is a nice option to avoid the hassle of going to a shop and also all is delivered to your door.

They were great

Had to file a police report and got no copy though, the policeman said if insurance wants to check they call the police directly

Anyway, in our case we have quite a high insurance and never claimed anaything in at least 5 yrs so I think that they look at your file and you have 1 off

Excellent experience though (the insurance part, not the bike getting stolen

Just to conclude this, AXA have said they will pay me - without asking for any additional details, despite the minimal information I had to offer. Very pleased.

Next bike I will be watching over with a loaded shotgun though.