There appears to be a misconception that once a claim is lodged that the Insurer has no right to request reasonable proof of ownership for the lost / stolen items.
Arguments raised are that the policy wording does not specifically state that proof must be provided. In order to be indemnified under the policy the insured is obliged to prove his loss, this is a common law requirement and does not have to be stated specifically in the policy. Part of proving the loss is proving ownership of the property concerned.
When we refer to proof of ownership, we specifically need such proof in respect of, but not limited to jewellery, camera equipment, cell phones, laptops and computer equipment etcetera.
No Insurer will merely make payment on any expensive item without sufficient proof that the item existed in the first place and that the claimant was the legal owner of such an item.
A photograph, showing the claimant wearing the item may to an extend show that the item existed, but no value can be established from a photograph alone. We need a proper description, valuation certificate or purchase invoice.
We have dealt with a number of complaints lodged with the Ombudsman regarding the above and he ruled in our favour.