We’re used to dealing with the unexpected at Harris Balcombe. Fires, floods, storms, break-ins, it’s all part of the day job for a loss assessor. But every now and then, something truly next level bizarre lands on your desk (or roof, as you’ll read shortly). That’s what inspired us to write up these 5 strange insurance claims to bring a smile to your face.
Welcome to The Claim Files: Bizarre Edition – a series of real-life (and one possibly urban-legendary) property and business claims that will make you chuckle, raise an eyebrow or two, or double-check your own insurance claim policy wording from top to toe.
To kickstart, in March 2024, a family in Florida were casually enjoying their day when they got the shock of their lives. A good old chunk of metal came crashing through the roof of their house, tearing through two floors and narrowly missing someone relaxing inside. Now that is a near miss.
It turns out that it was a piece of debris from the International Space Station that was jettisoned years earlier and on a one-way supersonic mission back to Earth. It was later confirmed by NASA to be a genuine chunk from the ISS.
The family filed a claim for $80,000 in property damage and emotional distress, which was of no surprise. We know it’s rare that your home becomes a target for a satellite, but it’s a great reminder that sometimes the most unexpected scenarios really do happen while at home.
The family filed a claim for $80,000 in property damage and emotional distress, which was of no surprise. We know it’s rare that your home becomes a target for a satellite, but it’s a great reminder that sometimes the most unexpected scenarios really do happen while at home.
Picture this for a sec: you pop out to grab some bits from the local store, and when you come back home, there’s a big ole cow standing in your conservatory.
That’s exactly what happened to one homeowner in Devon. The cow had taken a wrong turn, wandered away from a nearby field and meandered its way inside the house through an open door. By the time it was coaxed out of the house, the cow had left a trail of pure destruction. Broken tiles, upturned furniture, and confused neighbours scratching their heads.
Claims like this are thankfully rare, but not unheard of. When it comes to loss assessing, this tops the scales of unexpected visitors.
You may have played the game, but bird-related damage is more common than you’d think in really life.
In Kilmarnock (Scotland), two magpies got into a mid-air tit-for-tat over who knows what and collided with a conservatory window, shattering it to pieces. Thankfully, the startled homeowner's insurance covered the damaged glass but the magpies’ pride was left in tatters.
The lesson? Flapping wings and glass don’t go well together — a claim may follow.
So, this one might be a bit of an urban legend, but it’s such a classic in the insurance world that we had to include it.
Allegedly, a lawyer in the USA took out a policy to insure a box of rare cigars against fire. Once he’d smoked them all,… wait for it,... he filed a claim stating they had been destroyed “in a series of small fires.” Simply genius, and the court agreed. The insurer had to pay out but held a trump card in their favour. As soon as the dust settled they turned around and sued the lawyer for 24 counts of arson. Talk about a backfire ...
Real or not, this is a perfect example of how someone could exploit a policy loophole.
One thing you hope to see at a garden centre at Christmas is a huge inflatable Santa. One thing you don’t expect to see is St Nick flying through the air helped by a strong gust of wind. This is exactly what happened at a garden centre in the UK. Santa was whisked up and landed firmly on the greenhouse roof shattering glass and pots.
The claim came in at around £3,000. Staff reportedly found bits of tinsel and fake snow in the compost for weeks afterwards.
Seasonal displays and decorations are all fun and games until they come through the roof of your business - Ho, Ho, Oh, No!
"Harris Balcombe has your back.
Because we want you to know that no matter what kind of insurance claim you’re facing — whether it’s from fire, flood, an act of God, a curious cow, angry birds, or even falling debris from the International Space Station — we’re here to support you every step of the way.
More importantly, we take the stress, frustration, and time-consuming admin off your shoulders, so you can get back to normal life while we fight for the claim you deserve.
Call us on 0330 022 9179 for a free, no-obligation assessment, or fast-track your Claim now with our quick-fill tap & submit form."
At this point, you would hope that your insurance company is there to help but unfortunately, this is not always the case. We have known families who have felt intimidated by insurers and have been treated as though they have done something wrong, or are in some way to blame for their situation.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
This is to compare your version of events against your policy coverage and timelines.
Smart answer
Always stick to the facts. Avoid speculation or emotional exaggeration.
With a loss assessor
A loss assessor will help you structure your account clearly so you don’t over- or under-share.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They’re basically verifying if the event falls within your coverage period.
Smart answer
Be as specific as possible with the date and time.
Avoid
'I think it was last week sometime...'
Tip
A loss assessor will ensure that this matches other documentation, like alarm logs or photos.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They want to confirm the circumstances and establish liability or negligence.
Smart answer
Answer honestly and clearly, and mention if others were present.
Tip
If others witnessed the event, a loss assessor may advise collecting statements from them to bolster your claim.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They want to validate the items you’re claiming for.
Smart answer
Where possible, provide receipts, invoices, photos or warranty documents.
No receipts?
No stress, a loss assessor may be able to help you establish the value using alternative methods.
Hassle free, no obligations is how we operate. So if you’d like to speak to us call our 24/7 Helpline on 03300229179 or email us at info@harrisbalcombe.com. Or simply click the button below ...