Car insurance for stolen car

llh189

About a month ago my car was broken in to, a bag from my boot was stolen, as the bag had been in the boot for about 9 months I was not fully aware of what was, what wasn't in the boot!

I reported the incident and my insurers fixed the damage, I wasn't asked about my spare key - just if I had my main key - which I did!

My car has now been stolen and yep I can't find my spare key.

I have reported the theft - have crime number etc and now I am waiting for my insurance company to call me back.

The book value of my car is £2000 and I have 8 years protected no claim.

I am now concerned that the insurance company will link this crime to my first crime - (there of course is no proof either way that both crimes are linked) and not payout.

I can't afford to replace my car without the help of the insurance money.

I am entirely sure if my spare key has been stolen or lost, if I was certain that my key had gone I would have told my insurance company after the first incident.

I have moved four times since I bought the car and have genuinely not seen my spare key for sometime and have not given it's whereabouts a second thought.

I have now had two sleepless nights and probably will do again tonight, they are due to call me back tomorrow.

dacouch

Who are you insured with?

llh189

Peugeot Insurance

dacouch

The Policy has the following wording for theft.

Section C Cover For Fire and Theft
Damage Only
We will indemnify You in the terms of Section B but only so far as concerns loss of or damage to Your Car, including its fitted Accessories caused by:
a) Fire, lightning or explosion.
b) Theft or attempted theft.
Exceptions to Section C
We will not be liable under Section C b) above if:
i) The car is unattended or unoccupied and the doors and boot are not locked or any windows or roof opening/hood has not been secured/closed or if any key(s) or other device(s) used to gain entry/operate the car is not removed from the car.

So your policy which is underwritten by UK Insurance who are part of the same group as Direct Line and Churchill will not pay out if you had left the keys in the car. However as there is a element of doubt as to whether the keys were in the car or not its not an open and shut case.

There is obviously a very remote chance that there was just a door key in the hand bag and the person used it to get into your home and stole the car key from the house. If this is what happened then the "Key in car exclusion" would not apply as the ignition key was not left in the car...

Here are some case studies from the Financial Ombudsman which cover "similar" cases.
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/72/72-mv.html

Out of interest what sort of car was it and roughly how old is it?

There is a good chance the car will turn up and if it turns up with damage to the door or ignition barrel then this is academic as it would indicate the key was not used and the Insurers would pay the claim without question.

Be aware that all car Insurers treat theft claims with extra care and tend to investigate all theft claims so they will go through the claim with a fine tooth comb

llh189

my car is a 206 and approximately 5 years old, MOT and serviced last week, in total 1200 worth of work, all receipts present, I also have my V5

The bag was a gym bag, hence why is was in my boot at the time of the break in.

On this occasion there was absolutely nothing in my car.

My car was also secured by a handbrake lock, my car was in gear and locked, all the keys to this device are in my house.

My house is secure and all house keys are present.

As I said I have no idea where my spare key is, they broke in last time via the lock on the passenger door, which was drilled out - my insurance company paid for the repair to the lock.

I wasn't worried until someone at work said they probably won't payout for my claim, as it looks suspicious.

Dacouch - thanks for your advice so far, does your gut feel say they won't pay out - don't worry about being the bearer of badnews.

I would rather be prepared for the worse and just get on and find a replacement car, and put this mess behind me.

dacouch

They may initially decline it but it would certainly be worth refering it to the Ombudsman as you can see from the cases they have ruled in favour of there is an element of doubt in where the keys are were. In addition I suspect the complaint they did not rule in favour of was a more modern Audi or Bmw or the like as they are incredibly difficult to steal without the proper key (They are not impossible to steal without the key but it would require a very very sophisticated criminal to do it).

I assume you have reported the theft to the police, if not do it. With a Peugeot there is a very good chance the police will recover it as they are not normally stolen to take abroad etc.

llh189

Thanks Dacouch - you have been really helpful.

I really appreciate your advice!