Insurance oddity? Cover with roof off?

[Griffit]

Hi all, just renewed my insurance and went with Footman James over MSM this year as they were very keen for my business. Reading through the policy documents (Equity Red Star is underwriter) they will not cover the vehicle or contents for theft if it is unlocked or the windows or roof are down. Thinking this strange I checked my old MSM policy (NIG were the original underwriters), which stated the same! I was sure my old Hagerty policy wasn't like this but haven't checked back.

What is the norm and who's policies provide cover with the roof left off or the windows down?

Thanks,

Griffit

[R1 Loon]

You have a duty of care to keep your property safe, even if it is insured. Leaving the roof down and the car unsecured breaches this duty of care.

I have similar exclsuions between the hours of 10pm and 6am if my car or bike is unattended and not in the garage. If the car / bike is stolen then my excess will double if stolen within a one mile radius of the house.

[Jasper Gilder]

What do you do with an AC Cobra? - Some of them have no door locks!

[DavidLScott]

I queried this with Adrian Flux or A Plan a while ago and they said they obviously wouldn't cover any contents if the roof was down but the car would be insured as it has an immobiliser.

Their opinion is it's absurd to not cover a car that doesn't necessarily have a roof.

Does that mean that if you're car jacked they wouldn't cover you?
I ssupect they may get a biot miffed if you left it in a dodgy neighbourhood top dawn but the canvas roof isn't going to stop anyone anyway.

My trail bike is covered and it has no lock or ignition key!!

[blueg33]

Jasper Gilder said:

What do you do with an AC Cobra? - Some of them have no door locks!

Its a moot point anyway when any person equipped with a Stanley knife can slit the roof and get in. I found with the G33 that leaving the roof off and locking anything moveable in the boot took away temptation.

[zx10ben]

Back in the days when I had my Mk3 MR2, I was told that valuables left in the car, regardless of the roof being up/down, would only be covered if in a locked compartment i.e. Boot or glovebox. I was under the impression that this is the norm!

[tejr]

If I were an insurance company I sure as hell wouldn't cover any stolen items if the roof was down either? Sure insurance companies pull our pants down usually, but this seems like a pretty valid clause?

[Mr E]

My cover states very clearly that the roof must be on and the doors locked for the contents to be insured.

[R1 Loon]

Jasper Gilder said:

What do you do with an AC Cobra? - Some of them have no door locks!

Specialist car, therefore specialist terms will be applied. Simple really. The risk will be assessed on the fact that the car can never be truly secure and things like a garage for main residence will be a compulsory aspect for example. Clauses can & do vary dependant upon the car & risk, so there's no catch all answer in a nutshell.

[grahamw48]

Surely it's just common sense to secure your valuables, and to secure your vehicle to its fullest possible extent.

Otherwise why should the rest of us finance your carelessness ?