Important Post - Car Insurance

[mala_D]

Tell anyone you know who this might affect as it's quite important:

 

Just found out from my car insurance company that the underwriters consider it a "breach of security" to leave a window down, even just 1 inch, should anyone leave their dog/pets in the car.

Therefore, if the car does get stolen, you cannot claim!

 

Why anyone would risk nicking my car with two great big greyhounds in it is another matter...but it does happen.

 

I may follow-up this matter with the RSPCA, just so they are aware. Of course, the answer is not to leave your dogs in the car [especially in summertime]...but sometimes it's just unavoidable.

 

Perhaps if anyone has knows of other insurance "anomalies", they could put them on this thread.

 

Thanks.

[Rushy]

heres one..

 

in november I was house-sitting in the Hill for a mate who was on his honeymoon.. Went to see us beat Darlo on the sunday, had a few beers in the pub after, got back to the hill and went to bed..

 

Woke up to discover an absence of glass in the rear window (welcome to the hill..) Called insurance company (Bell Direct as a warning) only to be told that as nothing was stolen I couldnt claim for the window! I did ask if this conversation could be forgotten, as i'm sure i overlooked the missing Rolex on the dashboard, but it was to late.

 

Had the scum actually robbed the car, the window would have been covered as part of the claim for loss!!!! Cost me £250 to replace... Cheaper to be robbed than to have a window smashed.. the logic amazes me.

[Mr Happy]

One piece of advice regarding minor chips on your windscreen. By law, your insurance company has to cover these and it does not affect your no-claims bonus. however, normally, the windscreen repair company will just replace. they get more money for this and you will then have to pay an excess. However, insist first that they try and carry out a repair as you will then not have to pay an excess. They can repair quite large cracks now.

[EUFC FAN]

The smashed window claim surprises me as I have known "scum" to break into cars in the middle of the night and set the alarms off. They then panic and scarper without nicking anything. So you’re saying that the insurance company will not pay for the window because they did not steal anything! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Big J R]

Good point Mala !

 

As someone with 'animal rights' as an interest, I CAN point out that if you leave animals, (any animals), in a car during the summer without adequate ventilation, and a member of the public report the matter to the authorities, (either Police, or R.S.P.C.A.), and they make a big thing about the complaint, you CAN and probably will be prosecuted, and quite rightfully so. The basis of the prosecution will probably fall under the heading of 'Willfully causing un-neccessary suffering to animals'....... Interestingly enough, if Police have to effect entry to the vehicle by breaking a side window, you will NOT be covered by any insurance.

 

There are security grills available that connect to the top of a side window left slight open which lock against the top frame to allow ventilation.

 

By the way ! Car Insurance ?? Wot's That ???

[mala_D]

I've seen those grills JR, but don't know where they are on sale. [i'll consult the Web!]

I meant to check with Direct Line to see if their application is still deemed "insufficiently secure".