Parent’s car stolen from driveway 3 days after they died, what do I do?

layhar

A long story short my dad died last year and last week my mum died too. She was 59 and physically well so it’s with the coroner still and suspected suicide. 

I visited the house the day after to make sure it was locked up but didn’t enter it, since I really didn’t want too and even if I did the spare key was missing from it’s usual spot. I assumed the key had been used by my mum’s friend to give access to the paramedics and then not put back. 

Three days later I get a call from my mother’s neighbour to inform me her campervan has gone from the driveway. It’s a 23 plate vw California ocean, I’m reliably informed that it would have been very difficult to steal without the key. So I returned to the house and noticed that curtain which was drawn is now ajar so someone has entered the home and stolen the keys. I have reported to the police but unless it’s picked up by anpr they’re not actively looking for it.

Would the insurance still be valid on the van? 

Flugelhorn

I am sorry to hear about your parents - the disappearance of the van is not what you needed on top of this. I know when my mother died I got given several keys back from friends and neighbours who had been given them on occasions - I had no idea how many keys there were. 

I suspect that the insurance company will query where the keys were etc - the other concern too would be whether the insurance remains valid after the death of the policy holder,  honestly not sure about this but hopefully someone will be able to help.

Keep_pedalling

So sorry for your double loss. Different insurance companies have different policies when it comes to the death of main policy holder. Some provide continuing coverage for a limited time others don’t. 

Call the insurer to report the death of your mother and to report the theft of the vehicle. 

david29dpo

on a different topic, is it possible a "member" of the family helped themselfs to it? 

layhar

david29dpo said:

on a different topic, is it possible a "member" of the family helped themselfs to it? 

I am my mum’s only relative but I have certainly considered one of her “friends” may have. I was made aware of a particular new friend who had been taking advantage of her grief in recent months. This so called friend has not contacted me and any attempts to reach her has been ignored. I unfortunately can’t seem to get much information from anyone about her since she is not well known to any of the neighbours or my mums long term friends. I did inform the police and gave the name but they didn’t think it was enough to go on to find this woman

Mildly_Miffed

layhar said:

A long story short my dad died last year and last week my mum died too. She was 59 and physically well so it’s with the coroner still and suspected suicide. 

I visited the house the day after to make sure it was locked up but didn’t enter it, since I really didn’t want too and even if I did the spare key was missing from it’s usual spot. I assumed the key had been used by my mum’s friend to give access to the paramedics and then not put back. 

Three days later I get a call from my mother’s neighbour to inform me her campervan has gone from the driveway. It’s a 23 plate vw California ocean, I’m reliably informed that it would have been very difficult to steal without the key. So I returned to the house and noticed that curtain which was drawn is now ajar so someone has entered the home and stolen the keys. I have reported to the police but unless it’s picked up by anpr they’re not actively looking for it.

Would the insurance still be valid on the van? 

You need to talk to the insurer. Only they can answer it for sure.

You will almost certainly need to provide a death certificate for your mother.

Have you entered the house and actually checked to see if the keys are still there?
Are there any signs of a break-in?

If the van keys are missing, and the house has been opened with the (now missing) key, then there might be an issue with a claim.

Flugelhorn

may also find that friend claims that mum "gave" her the van

is the property secure now? maybe you should change the locks?

DullGreyGuy

layhar said:

Would the insurance still be valid on the van? 

Yes, assuming it was insured, payments up to date etc. The policy will simply be changed into the Estate Of and they will deal with the executor. If you contact the insurer they may have a bereavements team that will start the process, assuming you weren't named on the policy then they may not be able to take instruction until their passing has been logged properly. 

Keep_pedalling

It is of cause possible your mother had given a house key to someone else. I would certainly change all the locks as a precaution. 

lincroft1710

Can you find the registration document for the camper?