When their 'right' not to pay can be invoked.
£40,000 Motorhome stolen. Police not interested. Insurers won’t pay up.
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
I am a ’locker’ drummed into me from my teenage days. Also even though it is on my drive when I am loading up etc I still have the disklock on the steering wheel. Only comes off when I am ready to go and first thing put on when I am parked up.
I deeply feel for this lady. It’s a huge amount of money to lose. She has paid the price for being (delete as applicable) being inexperienced/naive/overly trusting/careless
either way, who deserves that?
It’s highly likely insurance won’t pay out in part or full. The key word, you will find it written ad-nauseum in the policy documentation is ‘reasonable’. ‘Reasonable’ care must be taken at all times to prevent loss. In the case of leaving keys in a vehicle, insurers have extensive experience of this and are generally explicit - ‘do not leave keys in unattended vehicle’.
In modern times, it is sad but police take the hard view that if you have something stolen it is invariably your own fault. Remember that. They deal with thefts all the time where people have left stuff unlocked and windows open etc, no cameras, no security, no alarm. Why waste their time when people have, in their view, ‘invited’ the theft.
All of us should take this as a salient lesson. Police will not assist, will not help, will not investigate. Probably won’t even attend. We must all use whatever cunning we have to outwit the opportunist scumbags who will try to take our stuff. You will never defeat a professional, but professionals will only target very high valuable stuff.
House or car or van, in any sizeable settlement, or randomly passing on any busy road there will be scum always looking out for windows open, doors unlocked, no alarm, no safe, no cameras, people not in van or at home, stuff on display etc.
Sorry to all for the rant but having had all our belongings (and all the wife’s jewellery - I didn’t know she’d left it in the van) stolen from our van in Rome, this affected me.
Now I try to think like them. There’s cameras everywhere, home and van, cars live in a garage with 6 padlocks and 2 alarms if the motorhome is not at home (because it tells people you are away). Spare keys to cars are buried. There are trackers on all cars, a 20kilo safe in the van, a new alarm, never anything valuable and the camper is only let out of my site if on a site or on an exceptionally rural aire.
I hope the insurance company takes pity on this unfortunate lady and as a result of the publicity offers her something as goodwill, but for the reasons outlined in other posts, it’s unlikely.
either way, who deserves that?
It’s highly likely insurance won’t pay out in part or full. The key word, you will find it written ad-nauseum in the policy documentation is ‘reasonable’. ‘Reasonable’ care must be taken at all times to prevent loss. In the case of leaving keys in a vehicle, insurers have extensive experience of this and are generally explicit - ‘do not leave keys in unattended vehicle’.
In modern times, it is sad but police take the hard view that if you have something stolen it is invariably your own fault. Remember that. They deal with thefts all the time where people have left stuff unlocked and windows open etc, no cameras, no security, no alarm. Why waste their time when people have, in their view, ‘invited’ the theft.
All of us should take this as a salient lesson. Police will not assist, will not help, will not investigate. Probably won’t even attend. We must all use whatever cunning we have to outwit the opportunist scumbags who will try to take our stuff. You will never defeat a professional, but professionals will only target very high valuable stuff.
House or car or van, in any sizeable settlement, or randomly passing on any busy road there will be scum always looking out for windows open, doors unlocked, no alarm, no safe, no cameras, people not in van or at home, stuff on display etc.
Sorry to all for the rant but having had all our belongings (and all the wife’s jewellery - I didn’t know she’d left it in the van) stolen from our van in Rome, this affected me.
Now I try to think like them. There’s cameras everywhere, home and van, cars live in a garage with 6 padlocks and 2 alarms if the motorhome is not at home (because it tells people you are away). Spare keys to cars are buried. There are trackers on all cars, a 20kilo safe in the van, a new alarm, never anything valuable and the camper is only let out of my site if on a site or on an exceptionally rural aire.
I hope the insurance company takes pity on this unfortunate lady and as a result of the publicity offers her something as goodwill, but for the reasons outlined in other posts, it’s unlikely.
- May 6, 2022
- 36
- 93
- Funster No
- 88,529
- MH
- Finding Perfection
Today, I am removing my spare ignition key from the glove box and putting it somewhere much much safer. We must all learn lessons from others lest we become the lesson ourselves.
- Jan 3, 2008
- 3,405
- 5,498
- Funster No
- 1,118
- MH
- Autosleeper Warwick
- Exp
- 35
You cannot possibly compare the taking of a motor vehicle to an offence of rape and the probable police response, but if you did, on the scale of things the taking of the motor vehicle is insignificant.
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- Mar 5, 2022
- 57
- 233
- Funster No
- 87,257
- MH
- Mercedes 2.3 F & D
- Exp
- Since 2021
On a chain around the neck.....most insurance companies still pay out on 'garotting' I'm reliably informed!
Pretty standard practice I'm afraid, i've had claims turned down when chap went to pay for petrol and left Porsche at pump with key in it and another where lady left car running on drive to de-ice/warm up and passer by just drove off in it, never leave vehicle alone with the key in, better still lock, just in case :-(
When you read the T&C's. So sorry for the Lady. I truly am. Just look at her poor face.
I can see you are really trying and concerned to make it hard for the criminal. If the the worst happens and your vehicle goes missing the insurance company will ask for both sets of keys. Try telling them they were in the motorhome. They won't care if you had them welded to the chassis, they will not pay. Just ask them.
As a point of interest you have just put where you keep them on the vehicle in writing. Sorry.
Regards Trevor.
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funflair
LIFE MEMBER
That's good but if your/our van went missing the insurance co would still be asking for two sets and if you/we could not produce them they could rightfully claim that the missing set were used to simply drive the van away.
My wife is the spare Key.
funflair
LIFE MEMBER
Where's the first place you look for something valuable? in the safe
which by all account most leisure safes are not, safe.
But was this organised or just an opportunist who walked by and saw the unattended van with theb key in the ignition? If it was organised then I agree with you but .If it was the latter then quick action by the Met might have a good chance of retrieving the van.
Yes that’s true, and the reason we spent a fair bit on ours, one of those ‘approved’ jobbies. Reasonable care has been taken. If a thief smashed his way in to it yes he’d find the keys, though he’d have had to defeat the additional door locks and the alarm first. Even then, I could track the van.Where's the first place you look for something valuable? in the safe
It’s a balance, I could carry both sets, but if I lost both we would have a real problem.
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westfielder
Free Member
Hmmm, on our old van I had keys hidden on the underside - thought it was a clever idea until now!
- May 5, 2022
- 21
- 26
- Funster No
- 88,503
- MH
- LWB Sprinter
In my opinion, insurance on motor vehicles is legalised robbery. They set the rules, they decide if the claim is valid. They will hang onto any successful claim payment as long as possible. AND you are legally required to have it. They can't lose.
OP
OP
Jim
Ringleader
MOTORHOME KEY SECURITY
All motorhome owners need to develop a policy to safeguard your motorhome keys. This is how we keep our motorhome keys safe.
www.mfun.uk
Exactly what the loss adjuster asked for when he came around to discuss my Sierra Cosworth that got stolen in 1990
Only had it just over a year
He went through all the paperwork and then asked for keys..
Maybe, but she might have video doorbell footage that they'd expect to see. In which case they'd say it was a fraudulent claim too and potentially counter claim against her.
And I know might is carrying a lot of weight here.
Having seen a few stories like this I'm aware of this exclusion and it will be in her policy details too but tbf not many (me included) read these in full. I only realised by posting on here for instance that Croatia is often excluded from fully comp, so checked my policy and had to change holiday plans.
I do think insurers should do a better job of highlighting some of these more significant exclusions though esp where the losses could be substantial.
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Good point. I keep a spare set of keys in a secure area in the motorhome and the spare side door key taped to a hidden area under the van. Not entirely fool proof but my thoughts are who would have the time or inclination to search under the van in the first place ? Or is this a obvious well known technique by any potential thief ?
- Oct 12, 2009
- 11,562
- 25,713
- Funster No
- 8,876
- MH
- A Class N+B Arto 69GL
- Exp
- Since 2009
If that were strictly applied I think that half of the MH owners on a campsite could be charged, as the keys are always in the MH at night, are they not or do some owners leave them outside?
- Oct 12, 2009
- 11,562
- 25,713
- Funster No
- 8,876
- MH
- A Class N+B Arto 69GL
- Exp
- Since 2009
Do they ask for the habitation door keys? If the thief had access to the interior it would be easy to hot-wire the engine.
Silver-Fox
LIFE MEMBER
I’m just wondering how you stand with older folks who have a key safe outside their front door.
The type used for health visitors etc.
The type used for health visitors etc.
Second time you've missed the point. A crime is a crime.
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funflair
LIFE MEMBER
I don't know the answer to that one Geoff
Coolcats
LIFE MEMBER
- Jan 24, 2019
- 6,384
- 11,526
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- 58,207
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- HymerCar Ayres Rock
In a claim of value they do look at every angle, I said I reversed parked in my drive, they checked Google and found I did, they want to see where you leave your keys, how you paid, where the money came from service history evidence of milage and so it goes on they make you feel like your under investigation, which you are. So if you say they are left on a hook best make sure the hook exists they will even speak with the neighbours.
I’m pretty sure my son’s insurers won’t allow him to keep a spare house key in a key safe. Not sure what happens with those that need it like above.
Coolcats
LIFE MEMBER
- Jan 24, 2019
- 6,384
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- 58,207
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- HymerCar Ayres Rock
this is an interesting article
There are a few products on the market that will keep you safe, your keys safe and your insurance company happy –
1. The Supra C500
2. Supra P500
3. Burton Keyguard Digital XL
They are weather resistant key safes - all perfect for use on the exterior of your property. They are certified and, as police approved key safes, offer the ultimate security for your external key storage. It’s perfect for homes where access is needed by family, carers and nurses or for a property where lots of people are often in and out at separate times.
The below statement is recognised by many leading underwriters of UK insurance -
“No claim for theft from a client’s home would be compromised or prejudiced”.
including;
Direct Line
Green Flag
Churchill
AIG
Groupama Insurances
AVIVA and FORTIS in partnership with AGE UK.
I know I’m probably being daft, but is there such a thing as a keysafe that could be affixed to a van?
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