Car theft and policy concern

divorcee1983

A few nights ago my car was stolen from my driveway.
I have reported to the police and informed the insurance company I just need to send them some documents.
However reviewing my policy I have declared that the car is parked in the garage and majority of the nights it is. However the night it was stolen I did not park it jn the garage as I was dealing with a teething 6 month old baby and didn’t move it in that evening.
Do you think this would prevent them from paying out.

Any advice appreciated as I’m a bag of nerves at the moment.

lewishardwick

Check your insurance documents, specifically the excesses.

When I last had a policy with a vehicle garaged, there was a £500 excess if the vehicle was stolen within a certain distance of the home property if not garaged.

Yours may be similar.

Good luck!

divorcee1983

Thanks I had a look but couldn’t see anything in relation to this but will go over it all with a fine tooth comb tonight.

Fingers crossed though.

Aretnap

There are two possible reasons why the insurer might decline a claim like this, but it doesn't sound like either is likely to apply.

(1) If you didn't declare accurate information at the time you took the policy out. Normally you are asked where the car is 'usually' kept - and so long as you answered that question truthfully, they would not be able to void the policy just because on this occasion it happened not to be in the garage. If they had evidence that it was rarely or never kept in the garage that would be another matter - perhaps if there was no room for a car in your garage because it was full of junk, or if you didn't have a garage at all, you would have a problem.

(2) A specific exclusion in your policy which said something like 'we will not cover a theft if your car is stolen while parked within xxx meters of your home unless it is parked in your garage'. Some policies do have exclusions like this, but if yours does it should be highlighted prominently (as should all important or unusual exclusions), probably on the policy schedule. It isn't the sort of thing that's going to be hidden on page 103 of the small print. So if you can't find an exclusion like this, it means you don't have one.

In the absence of either (1) or (2), you will be able to claim as normal.

Hgul

Funny I come across this thread I’m actually in a position where the insurance s company has done most investigations ( home visit included) everything seemed to check out from investigation side BUT after reviewing the report from investigators they are now saying to me they are keeping it open for another two weeks * believe they have put a time frame on it * it also could be before two weeks Apprently they are doing some checks not stating what checks they are doing ! Also have responded to my complaint saying once they have delt with the claim they will lol into my complaint ? Makes no sense I’m complaining about the claims process It self and I feel like they are dragging feet now ? Really two weeks? What are these guys waiting for ! Magicially for something to arrive ? Makes no sense

Quentin

Complaining was the route to take when unhappy with your insurer


They have 8 weeks to respond


If you aren't happy with the response or they fail to respond within 8 weeks you can escalate to the FOS for their adjudication at no cost to you

Hgul

Yes Quentin i have complained , but it makes no sense for the insurer to tell me they will deal with the claim extending it for another 2 weeks for checks and then deal with the complaint ? Shouldn’t it be delt with regardless of the outcome ? After a perfectly genuine investigation they are still extending for another two weeks ? Could this be to check for points convictions etc ? Or just plain delay