Vehicle stolen, spare key not what it seems.
Discussion
Had a van stolen from the street one of my drivers lives in last week, reported to the police and my broker, wheels now in motion.
I had another vehicle stolen a couple of years ago so I know the drill, docs and keys will be requested along with statements of events, so far so good.
When I bought the van 3 years ago (secondhand) it came with a proper blipper key and a standard black spare key. Stuck the spare in a draw and forgot about it. So now I have dug it out - I know it's the right key because it's wrapped still in the bag the van docs came in - and it is for a different vehicle, the end pattern isn't the same as the proper key. Van was bought from a local firm, not a dealers just a firm who use a lot of vans and sell them occasionally, guy who did the sale doesn't work there anymore and nobody else can offer any recollections.
So, should I just send it off anyway explaining it's the spare key that came with the van or not bother seeing as it clearly isn't right and I don't want to look dodgy. I'd imagine that not being able to supply the spare key isn't going to look too clever after the van has been stolen.
I had another vehicle stolen a couple of years ago so I know the drill, docs and keys will be requested along with statements of events, so far so good.
When I bought the van 3 years ago (secondhand) it came with a proper blipper key and a standard black spare key. Stuck the spare in a draw and forgot about it. So now I have dug it out - I know it's the right key because it's wrapped still in the bag the van docs came in - and it is for a different vehicle, the end pattern isn't the same as the proper key. Van was bought from a local firm, not a dealers just a firm who use a lot of vans and sell them occasionally, guy who did the sale doesn't work there anymore and nobody else can offer any recollections.
So, should I just send it off anyway explaining it's the spare key that came with the van or not bother seeing as it clearly isn't right and I don't want to look dodgy. I'd imagine that not being able to supply the spare key isn't going to look too clever after the van has been stolen.
There will be loads of keys on eBay matching the spare your insurance want. Not condoning fraud, but if they want two sets, then its easy to provide two sets.....
If you had lost the second set and they were used to steal the car, then that may be a different matter, but providing a matching set just to please the insurer, fine in my book.
If you had lost the second set and they were used to steal the car, then that may be a different matter, but providing a matching set just to please the insurer, fine in my book.
Trax said:
There will be loads of keys on eBay matching the spare your insurance want. Not condoning fraud, but if they want two sets, then its easy to provide two sets.....
If you had lost the second set and they were used to steal the car, then that may be a different matter, but providing a matching set just to please the insurer, fine in my book.
Call me paranoiac if you like but ... I wouldn't want to order a key on Ebay giving a stranger my address and key code and type of car ... If you had lost the second set and they were used to steal the car, then that may be a different matter, but providing a matching set just to please the insurer, fine in my book.

br d said:
Had a van stolen from the street one of my drivers lives in last week, reported to the police and my broker, wheels now in motion.
I had another vehicle stolen a couple of years ago so I know the drill, docs and keys will be requested along with statements of events, so far so good.
When I bought the van 3 years ago (secondhand) it came with a proper blipper key and a standard black spare key. Stuck the spare in a draw and forgot about it. So now I have dug it out - I know it's the right key because it's wrapped still in the bag the van docs came in - and it is for a different vehicle, the end pattern isn't the same as the proper key. Van was bought from a local firm, not a dealers just a firm who use a lot of vans and sell them occasionally, guy who did the sale doesn't work there anymore and nobody else can offer any recollections.
So, should I just send it off anyway explaining it's the spare key that came with the van or not bother seeing as it clearly isn't right and I don't want to look dodgy. I'd imagine that not being able to supply the spare key isn't going to look too clever after the van has been stolen.
How secure was the drawer? Could the duplicate have been switched by a current or ex employee.I had another vehicle stolen a couple of years ago so I know the drill, docs and keys will be requested along with statements of events, so far so good.
When I bought the van 3 years ago (secondhand) it came with a proper blipper key and a standard black spare key. Stuck the spare in a draw and forgot about it. So now I have dug it out - I know it's the right key because it's wrapped still in the bag the van docs came in - and it is for a different vehicle, the end pattern isn't the same as the proper key. Van was bought from a local firm, not a dealers just a firm who use a lot of vans and sell them occasionally, guy who did the sale doesn't work there anymore and nobody else can offer any recollections.
So, should I just send it off anyway explaining it's the spare key that came with the van or not bother seeing as it clearly isn't right and I don't want to look dodgy. I'd imagine that not being able to supply the spare key isn't going to look too clever after the van has been stolen.
Will look a bit iffy if the van gets recovered with no damage to steering lock, ignition etc.
the spare key to my wife's car is not a full key either, and it is the plastic type (vag group). it also looks different to the normal key, it still works and I have always assumed that it was different so that when you stuck it in the ignition it told the car not to try and talk to the transponder in the full key.
i'm fairly sure i read that it will do somethings but not others. obviously you can't open and close the boot or windows remotely etc.
i'm fairly sure i read that it will do somethings but not others. obviously you can't open and close the boot or windows remotely etc.
M4cruiser said:
Trax said:
There will be loads of keys on eBay matching the spare your insurance want. Not condoning fraud, but if they want two sets, then its easy to provide two sets.....
If you had lost the second set and they were used to steal the car, then that may be a different matter, but providing a matching set just to please the insurer, fine in my book.
Call me paranoiac if you like but ... I wouldn't want to order a key on Ebay giving a stranger my address and key code and type of car ... If you had lost the second set and they were used to steal the car, then that may be a different matter, but providing a matching set just to please the insurer, fine in my book.

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