Insurance question
Discussion
A friend had her handbag pinched on New Year's Eve... iPhone, wallet, car keys etc. The thief (a known drug addict in the area!) put 2 + 2 together, and 3 days later her car was taken - it was parked nearby her house. Just today after all this time, the insurers are saying they wont pay out as 'you didnt safeguard your vehicle'. Policy is fully comp.
Are they correct?
Are they correct?
doogz said:
Probably. She really should have had the locks changed on it ASAP, she should have phoned her car insurance company when she realised her car keys had been stolen.
She called the insurance co only when the car was taken. But isnt this the point of insurance.. it was a mistake.. an accident.. which is what an insurance agreement is meant to protext against?!EdT said:
She called the insurance co only when the car was taken. But isnt this the point of insurance.. it was a mistake.. an accident.. which is what an insurance agreement is meant to protext against?!
She knew a stranger had her car keys and address and didn't think to inform her insurers?
EdT said:
She called the insurance co only when the car was taken. But isnt this the point of insurance.. it was a mistake.. an accident.. which is what an insurance agreement is meant to protext against?!
It was avoidable - she failed in her duty of care and her duty to inform the insurer of an event which increased the risk of theft. She broke the contract._Batty_ said:
She knew a stranger had her car keys and address and didn't think to inform her insurers?
Yes, understand. But... compare this mistake to a guy I know that worked a 48 hour solid shift, set off on his 100+ mile jounrey home at midnight, and (almost predictably) fell asleep, writing his car off. His insurance paid out without much of a grumble. Who's made the daftest mistake?!EdT said:
Yes, understand. But... compare this mistake to a guy I know that worked a 48 hour solid shift, set off on his 100+ mile jounrey home at midnight, and (almost predictably) fell asleep, writing his car off. His insurance paid out without much of a grumble. Who's made the daftest mistake?!
It wasn't certain he would fall asleep.A known thief with car keys and an address.
Sounds harsh, but was rather silly!
EdT said:
Yes, understand. But... compare this mistake to a guy I know that worked a 48 hour solid shift, set off on his 100+ mile jounrey home at midnight, and (almost predictably) fell asleep, writing his car off. His insurance paid out without much of a grumble. Who's made the daftest mistake?!
She has - she had time in which to comply with the requirements of the contract (although in practice she broke the contract the minute she realised her keys were missing and failed to inform her insurer). Her first mistake was not reading & understanding what her RESPONSIBILITIES were.The "guy" did a silly thing - an error of judgment, and possibly something for which he could be prosecuted, but not something prohibited by his contract with his insurer.
Edited by marshalla on Thursday 3rd February 16:34
If she couldn't get the locks changed in time, what's wrong with a Disklok or something on the wheel, or indeed any form of security. Even if it failed, the insurance would have paid out on the grounds she tried to secure the car whilst repairs were being organised. As it is, she did nothing and the inevitable happened.
EDIT: did she even lock the wheel - I mean, turn and lock, not a separate device?
EDIT: did she even lock the wheel - I mean, turn and lock, not a separate device?
Edited by carmonk on Thursday 3rd February 16:35
marshalla said:
She has - she had a full month in which to comply with the requirements of the contract (although in practice she broke the contract the minute she realised her keys were missing and failed to inform her insurer). Her first mistake was not reading & understanding what her RESPONSIBILITIES were.
The "guy" did a silly thing - an error of judgment, and possibly something for which he could be prosecuted, but not something prohibited by his contract with his insurer.
Not a month - re-read the post, the car was nicked 3 days later, on the 3rd, which was a bank holiday after the new year weekend.The "guy" did a silly thing - an error of judgment, and possibly something for which he could be prosecuted, but not something prohibited by his contract with his insurer.
I think it's really harsh, but she should have informed the insurance company and claimed for locks. That would have covered her for the theft as it would be up to the insurance company to re-secure the vehicle.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
siwebster said:
Not a month - re-read the post, the car was nicked 3 days later, on the 3rd, which was a bank holiday after the new year weekend.
I think it's really harsh, but she should have informed the insurance company and claimed for locks. That would have covered her for the theft as it would be up to the insurance company to re-secure the vehicle.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Fair enough - I must have misread it as "3 days ago". Notwithstanding the time though - the insurance companies' claim lines were still open during the holiday, as they always are, so she had ample opportunity to inform them and seek advice/assistance. She also had an opportunity to move the vehicle to a more secure or even just different location where the risk of theft would have been less.I think it's really harsh, but she should have informed the insurance company and claimed for locks. That would have covered her for the theft as it would be up to the insurance company to re-secure the vehicle.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
If you lost your house keys with your address attached to them, would you go about your daily business leaving your house unattended regularly? More likely you would get the locks changed ASAP and make sure you didn't leave the house until it was done. To just leave her car as usual knowing a key was out there is gross stupidity and I don't blame the insurers one bit. I bet the thief gingerly got in expecting some kind of USA style police sting operation, when it didn't happen I bet he thought all his Christmasses had come at once!
geeteeaye said:
If you lost your house keys with your address attached to them, would you go about your daily business leaving your house unattended regularly?
Of course, her house keys WERE stolen too. Yes, they spent 2 sleppless nights til the locks got changed. The mixture of high emotions & exhaustion most probably didnt help her act in the way some of you suggest she should have.doogz said:
Not really. She should have phoned them when the car keys were stolen, surely you get this?!
I get it. However I feel they're not playing friendly. So, maybe that's that & she needs to accept it was her responsibility. I was hoping this wasnt the case.. hence the posting on here.
EdT said:
marshalla said:
She also had an opportunity to move the vehicle to a more secure or even just different location where the risk of theft would have been less.
Agreed , and regretablly she she didnt. But surely....The fact that the victim took action to secure her house worsens her case, IMHO, as she clearly understood the risks associated with loss of keys.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff