Auto and Car Insurance

Direct line !?

Hello, on 10th of december i had my car stolen while doing a delivery for a takeaway and what happend was when i went to give the delivery to the house i left my car with the keys on ! and as soon as i turned it was gone and since then i called my insurance which to be direct line and they have asked me so many questions about and talked over the phone for like 1.30hrs and been sent letters to draw the crime scene to send back to them and still now my bmw is still in the garrage with one minor damage and they are not doing any thing about it . why is this. and i got told by one of my freinds that if the keys where on the car they will not do anything.

Public Comments

1. Your friend is quite right.....leaving the vehicle unattended, with the keys in the lock, could be construed as negligence on your part, and may invalidate any claim for theft.
2. You could cancel your claim, get your car back and have the repairs done yourself. If the damage is minor then it may not be much more than the excess, which on a BMW can be pretty steep. You will also keep your NCD intact.
3. IF THE KEYS WERE IN THE CAR THEY WILL ARGUE THAT YOUR CAR WAS STOLEN BECAUSE OF YOUR NEGLIGENCE IF YOU HAVE SPARE KEYS YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD THEM THAT YOU HAD THE KEYS AND THE CAR WAS HOT WIRED INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL ALWAYS TRY TO DECLINE A CLAIM AT ANY TIME AND YET WOULD WELCOME YOUR PREMIUMS SORRY TO SUGGEST THAT YOU LIE BUT THEY WILL ALSO USE TECHINICALITIES TO DECLINE YOU OF A BENEFIT
4. You have been negligent by leaving the keys in the unattended vehicle. The Direct Line insurance policy states that the following is not covered by the policy: "Loss or damage caused by theft or attempted theft if the keys or other device which unlocks your car is left in or on your unattended car, or if your car has been left unattended and not properly locked (this includes any window, roof opening, removable roof panel or hood being left open or unlocked); or" "Loss or damage if any security or tracking device, which we insist is fitted to your car, has not been set or is not in full working order, or the network subscription for the maintenance contract of any tracking device is not current." The full policy document can be read here: http://www.directline.com/motor/carpolicydoc.pdf So it would appear that you will not be able to claim for the above reason. The reason they are asking you loads of questions is so they can build up a case that you have been negligent, they've probably recorded all of the calls as well, in case you decided to change your story. It's terrible that this has happened to you. If your insurance company does not pay out, then you may be able to claim criminal compensation through the courts if the offender is convicted, visit the following web site for further information and advice: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/vs_england_wales/coping_with_crime/practical_matters/compensation.php
5. It was a silly thing to do to leave your keys in the vehicle. I can't see them paying out and the other question would be, did you tell them that you were using the vehicle for business purposes ie delivering takeaways. If you didn't they could say your insurance is void. It's a shame your car was damaged, but that's life I am afraid. Good luck anyway.