left keys in car

nanana_2

This is on behalf of a friend and I'm afraid I suspect the answers will not be good news...

Yes, he left his keys in his car whilst filling up and yes it was gone by the time he'd payed and of course his insurers are not going to pay up. I'm just grasping at straws wondering if anyone has any experience of recouping anything from anywhere (criminal damages schemes?) in such a case.

Don't know if it makes any difference but his car was his living (private airport runs etc.)

TIA

brazilianwax

In a word, no.

derrick

Expensive mistake, but as it was "his living" he should have taken more care and removed the keys, mine are remove every time I leave the vehicle even on the drive if something forgotten in house.

lisyloo

Sorry to be harsh, but I don't think car insurance companies cover you for negligence (only to 3rd parties).

Insurance companies still expect you to take "reasonable care" of your property i.e. behave as if you didn't have insurance.

nanana_2

Sorry to be harsh back - but with respect I didn't ask for wagging fingers. Have you never made a mistake derrick? He is well aware he's been stupid in his haste and he is well aware the insurance company have no obligation to pay lizyloo. I asked...

nanana wrote: »

if anyone has any experience of recouping anything from anywhere (criminal damages schemes?) in such a case.

derrick

nanana wrote: »

Sorry to be harsh back - but with respect I didn't ask for wagging fingers. Have you never made a mistake derrick?

Not re leaving keys in a car, and that is the point re your post, that I replied to without any malice.

nanana_2

No problem derrick, I'm sure there was no malice intended, and I seriously don't want to offend. It's just that forums these days seem to be getting more like chat rooms. They're supposed to be "here's a question - does anyone have the answer?" instead it always seems that the first people to respond rarely actually have the answer to the question and just want to have something to say.

What I was hoping (against all odds I know) was just maybe someone had had this happen and had managed to get something from somewhere. After all stupid or not he is actually the victim of a crime.

emmaroids

tbh he souldent have admited leaving the keys in the car, could have made out that someone brushed past him in the garage and must have pickpocketed his keys?

*sometimes honesty is not allways the best policy*

ben500

AFAIK there is no body you can apply to for compensation unless of course the vehicle gets written of during a crime and then from what I understand still unlikely.
Your best hope is that it turns up undamaged or even gets a small prang and abandoned. Although if the thief is caught you could of course sue.

maclean2

Hi - from googling for the ombudsman cases in around 2004 on this subject looks as if the only argument open is if the keys left in car restriction was not made clear.As is a major restriction in cover the ombudsman has laid down that this restriction must be made very clear ar the time cover is taken out.

Nothing to lose by appealing to the ombudsman but do not be too hopeful.

LittleJo

Hi,
Look not promising but I have vague momories of a case where the insurers did pay out.
I will ask around on Monday.
Has legal advice been taken?
Jo