Car insurance Claim rejected - Liable?

mum4boys

Hi, Long story made short...

My husband's car was stolen at the beginning of the month. The keys were on the seat as he was unloading. Our insurance company have said they will not pay out due to this. We will probably go to the ombudsman and see if they agree with the insurance company.

However, I am worried in case this comes back to bite us. The insurance company mentioned something about us not being covered if the car is used in a crime or is involved in a road traffic collision.

We have a police crime number and tonight I have contacted the DVLA who have confirmed the car is showing as stolen on their database. They said to keep hold of the V5C document in case the car is ever found.

If the car is used in a crime or involved in an accident, as we are still the registered owner of the car - are we liable for any costs?

Any advise would be welcome - I am going in circles trying to figure out what to do.

Thanks
Catherine

AndyMc.....

You're not going to be liable is it's used in crime, in the sense that it's used by a criminal to travel to and from a crime scene.

Your insurance company could be liable if it's involved in an accident but I've not heard of a third partycoming after the owner. They usually go via the MIB.

mum4boys

Thanks,
The insurance company just emailed me a copy of their decision which states;
"You may also be liable for any costs should a claim arise from any third party losses as a result of this incident".

That's the part I'm worried about...

AndyMc.....

mum4boys wrote: »

Thanks,
The insurance company just emailed me a copy of their decision which states;
"You may also be liable for any costs should a claim arise from any third party losses as a result of this incident".

That's the part I'm worried about...

You may have to take legal advice on that one. Usually it's a case of they may still be liable if the cars involved in a collision. Given the circumstances of the theft they see it as the keys were left in the vehicle. So if they have to pay out they'll try and come after you for their costs.

dacouch

Have your Insurers removed the vehicle from the MIB database eg the database showing which vehicles are insured and by which Insurer?

You can check here https://www.askmid.com

If not make sure they remove it immediately

mum4boys

Hi, Thanks for that. I've just checked and it says "No. This vehicle is NOT showing up as insured"

AndyMc.....

mum4boys wrote: »

Hi, Thanks for that. I've just checked and it says "No. This vehicle is NOT showing up as insured"

You should be ok then.

mum4boys

So do you think I might be right in thinking that their "you may be liable for any costs should a claim arise from any third party losses as a result of this incident" - refers to the period up until they cancelled the policy. So if they had a accident during that I time, I might be liable but now that its no longer insured, I am not liable?

Sorry if I am repeating myself or being a bit thick but my heads in such a jumble now