Vehicle stolen, spare key not what it seems.
Vehicle stolen, spare key not what it seems.
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br d

Original Poster:

9,072 posts

256 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
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.

esxste

4,292 posts

136 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
Give them all the evidence. Withholding evidence on the supposition that it "makes you look dodgy" just makes you look dodgy if it later comes to light.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

285 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
Just give them the original key.

No reason for them to expect a second one. I have three cars that came with only one key each.

MJK 24

5,679 posts

266 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
Wouldn't worry too much.

I had a four year old Lotus stolen many many moons ago. Insurers requested spare key and the honest truth was I was only given one set of keys when I bought the car privately. Didn't affect the claim at all.

Trax

1,601 posts

262 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
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.

M4cruiser

5,214 posts

180 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
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 ... idea


stitched

3,813 posts

203 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
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.
Will look a bit iffy if the van gets recovered with no damage to steering lock, ignition etc.

Trax

1,601 posts

262 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
M4cruiser said:
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 ... idea
You don't give them any details, just ordering a key fob. Adverts I have seen always leave it to you to get the key coded.

downsman

1,099 posts

186 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
M4cruiser said:
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 ... idea
As the van has been stolen, it's a fair bet that they'll be disappointed if they look for it at the original poster's address smile

BlueHave

4,727 posts

138 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
I've never heard of anyone having a claim for a stolen car refused because the spare key had a different pattern cut into it.

No doubt someone will be along in a minute to say otherwise.


jesta1865

3,453 posts

239 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
quotequote all
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.

eybic

9,212 posts

204 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
quotequote all
I think some spare keys only open the doors and not start the engine, they are referred to as Valet keys.

Ru78

78 posts

196 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
quotequote all
Hmmm... a valet key will allow a car to be started, they just don't open the boot or glove box (its from the US - valet Parking).
I'd just claim no spare key... plenty of second hand cars have had a key lost or destroyed over the years.
Ru

KungFuPanda

4,642 posts

200 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
quotequote all
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 ... idea
The car's already been nicked.

br d

Original Poster:

9,072 posts

256 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies. So it could possibly be a valet key?
Re the safety of the drawer, it is in my home and my employees don't have access, my OH does though, hmm!