£40,000 Motorhome stolen. Police not interested. Insurers won’t pay up.

[Jim]

In Today's Times This lady left the keys in the ignition of her fully loaded van. Looks like she lost everything.

It deserved a newbie article I thought. The takeaway, get some simple security in place to make it much more difficult for an opportunist to nick your van.

£40,000 Motorhome stolen. Police not interested. Insurers won't pay up.

Motorhome is stolen with your own keys! insurers will often not pay. Simple physical security measures can keep your motorhome safe.

www.mfun.uk

Met Police close inquiry only hours after camper van theft

A health therapist whose £40,000 camper van was stolen from outside her home in north London as she loaded it for a skiing holiday has accused the Metropolitan

www.thetimes.co.uk

 

[pampam]

Poor woman,
Im obsessed with security as i live on a main road , and will always get chancers passing by, altho i have a driveway and metal gates etc , my thoughts are if youve got something nice........
Somebody somewhere wants it off yu .
Poor lass

 

[dazandandrea]

Especially if you leave the keys in it.

 

[The Wino]

Just thinking about the insurance angle if you are careless and leave it with the keys in they won't pay. If you are really stupid and drive under a bridge thats too low but clearly marked will they also not pay? At what point does comprehensive insurance not become comprehensive?

 

[pampam]

Leavin keys in ignition can open a can of worms eg drinkin and drivin too

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[The Wino]

Leavin keys in ignition can open a can of worms eg drinkin and drivin too

That's true they always say now that they won't pay if you're under the influence of drink or drugs. I wonder what happens about third party claims under those circumstances?

 

[Jim]

If you are really stupid and drive under a bridge thats too low but clearly marked will they also not pay?

Look at your policy, it will tell you. Every policy I've owned mentions security of keys. Most every insurer won’t cover you if your motorhome is stolen with the keys, lock transmitter or keyless entry card are left in or near the van.

 

[DavidG58]

It’s a great shame, it has still been stolen and should be investigated though surely and really should be covered for theft on insurance maybe with reduced payout

I suspect at some point all of us have got out and left keys in, while filling with water or checking in on a site maybe, I know I have

 

[The Wino]

Look at your policy, it will tell you. Every policy I've owned mentions security of keys. Most every insurer won’t cover you if your motorhome is stolen with the keys, lock transmitter or keyless entry card are left in or near the van.

I was just comparing how they react to stupid things that people do related to security and related to driving. If they won't pay for somethings are they going to extend it to other stupid things that people do. How about the recent videos of people getting stuck in deep fords?

 

[funflair]

Look at your policy, it will tell you. Every policy I've owned mentions security of keys. Most every insurer won’t cover you if your motorhome is stolen with the keys, lock transmitter or keyless entry card are left in or near the van.

Which of course makes me wonder what we all do with the spare ignition key that we all carry "just incase"

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[CazPaul]

If you are in the house and someone nips in without you looking and nicks the keys to your van then surely they will pay up.

It could happen to any of us, how many people keep the doors house locked all day, whilst they are on the bog, in the shower etc.

If you leave the keys in the unlocked van yes I can see that.

 

[DavidG58]

Which of course makes me wonder what we all do with the spare ignition key that we all carry "just incase"

That one I don’t do, I always take both sets with us just in case, but when we go out take one each , I would be very sad if having taking them just in case we had to break in to get them

 

[funflair]

That one I don’t do, I always take both sets with us just in case, but when we go out take one each , I would be very sad if having taking them just in case we had to break in to get them

I suppose a keyless entry door pad encourages us to not take the keys with us

 

[Podney]

Do you lock your van and car when you go to pay for fuel? I do……..if I remember!

 

[gpat]

Stealing it is still an offence though so why would the police not be interested?

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[Odd job]

When my daughter's car was stolen she had to send the insurance company both keys before they paid out

 

[Revolvor]

Our neighbours left the keys in their Range Rover on their secluded drive, out of site of the main road. It was stolen, and insurer didn't accept their claim.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Which of course makes me wonder what we all do with the spare ignition key that we all carry "just incase"

I asked that exact question of my broker, and the reply was "you will not be covered in that instance, including if secured in an on board key/passport safe".
We now share key duty, each carrying a full set Not fool proof, but on balance about the best option, IMO. Solo travellers will need a different strategy.
Mike.

 

[Odd job]

Of course, if the vehicle is stolen how would anyone know if the key was in it, or not?

 

[Podney]

Of course, if the vehicle is stolen how would anyone know if the key was in it, or not?

Well I guess if you haven’t got it,the insurers assume it’s in the vehicle.

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[Podney]

Your house keys will probably be on the same key ring? I that case,better get home quickly to change the locks?

 

[VXman]

I am guilty of not doing some of the stuff people mention on this thread. I certainly don't lock my MH when paying for the petrol (mainly because most of the time I use pay at pump) and the spare keys are somewhere in the MH when we are on trips.

However, I wouldn't be as silly as starting the engine at 2.30am and then go inside the house!!!

 

[Downsie]

So what suggestions are there for people on their own? What does one do with the second set? This always worries me.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Our original keys are kept under lock&key in a secure location and not used for the van.
So, no remote locking, only central locking, not fool proof, but we have both original sets of keys to hand in if asked.
I suspect though that the insurers would ask the obvious question, "are there any other keys cut for this vehicle "?
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

So what suggestions are there for people on their own? What does one do with the second set? This always worries me.

An unmarked key on your travelling companion in your Avatar?
Mike.

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[Downsie]

An unmarked key on your travelling companion in your Avatar?
Mike.

Well that’s actually not so daft! She’s already got an Apple Airtag. Can ignition keys get immersed in water when she goes for an impromptu swim?

 

[buzz1]

So what suggestions are there for people on their own? What does one do with the second set? This always worries me.

Get the dog to carry spare set chain around the collar

 

[ctc]

Just tell the police you left your guns in the van, they might be more interested.

 

[Two on Tour]

Just tell the police you left your guns in the van, they might be more interested.

............... followed by an appearance in court for wasting police time.

 

[Holly's mum]

That is a very expensive lesson she has learnt. All insurance policies state that you must not leave the vehicle unlocked with the keys in it. It's really a no brainer!

I can't believe she had also left her handbag in there with the passports, cards and cash in!! My handbag is the last thing to go into the motorhome or car and goes in when I go in for the final time.

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