Bilboa - a warning

[Olivero]

Any cunning ideas?

I was in Bilbao yesterday visiting the rather good Art gallery, when I got back to my car to find some scrot had broken in and pretty much cleared it out. Sat Nav, iPod, laptop, video camera and three cameras. The sts got most of my photographic gear including a brand new Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.

Unfortunately I didn´t get round to setting up travel insurance before I left. My fault. My car insurance company, (that might have something to do with a red phone) has been less than useless.
Told the Police, who were very good and wrote out a report but did say there was lots of theft in Bilbao. They also gave the impression that thieves rarely get caught.

Does anyone have any ideas of how I might end up getting some of this stuff back or do I just kiss goodbuy to over 4K worth of stuff?

[nervous]

sorry, where was this stuff? not in plain sight, was it?

[dan1981]

You left Sat Nav, iPod, laptop, video camera and three cameras in your car???

[Olivero]

nervous said:

sorry, where was this stuff? not in plain sight, was it?

No, all packed away in the back of a VW camper van.

[tamore]

blimey, i thought stallone was planning another rocky film for a minute!

[okgo]

dan1981 said:

You left Sat Nav, iPod, laptop, video camera and three cameras in your car???

+1

Ridiculous thing to do in any country. But I am surprised they did the boot in..

You won't see them ever again either from the sounds of it, but then you didn't sort insurance either, unfortunately for you this is the reason such insurances exist.

Edited by okgo on Thursday 19th March 18:11

[nervous]

dan1981 said:

You left Sat Nav, iPod, laptop, video camera and three cameras in your car???

Thats what it says on his insurance claim, yes.

Actually, didnt you have all my mountain bikes in there too? And that bullion I loaned you?

[nervous]

Olivero said:

nervous said:

sorry, where was this stuff? not in plain sight, was it?

No, all packed away in the back of a VW camper van.

could they be seen at all?

[Olivero]

dan1981 said:

You left Sat Nav, iPod, laptop, video camera and three cameras in your car???

I am a photographer, hense the amount of gear. These is only so much you can carry around all the time. I had taken out one of the cameras to photograph the Guggenheim, so still have this for the rest of my trip.

[escargot]

Check your home contents insurance policy too.

[Hammerwerfer]

A discrete enquiry at one of the seedier bars might get you in touch with the thieves. They often will sell you your stuff back.

Works in Dublin.

Edited by Hammerwerfer on Thursday 19th March 18:28

[yrrep.sirhc]

escargot said:

Check your home contents insurance policy too.

Got all risks? If so how much?

[JD]

Surely if you are a photographer, all the cameras are properly insured ?

[spikeyhead]

Never ever park a camper van anywhere in Spain apart from a campsite.

[Carreauchompeur]

AFAIK most travel insurance policies have an exclusion cause about theft from motor vehicles, in any case.

[Lordbenny]

Olivero said:

I didn´t get round to setting up travel insurance before I left.

Then don't complain when you get it nicked!



I do, however, still feel your pain!

[Chainguy]

spikeyhead said:

Never ever park a camper van anywhere in Spain apart from a campsite.

Thefts from cars is a BIG problem in Spain right now

I have a mate who lives near Cadiz, and it's bad there. Sad to say, but it's the Gypsy's who get the blame for it. Whether it is them or not, who knows?

[davido140]

Your average scrote will break into a car even if they cant see anything on plain view. Especially if they have time to rummage around.

I had a laptop and satnav pinched in Manchester, both were locked away in the boot, and the car was locked away in a "secure" underground car park.

They "hotwired" the door access and did my car and a few others as they were unlikely to be disturbed.

On the plus side, they caught him breaking into the attached office a couple of nights later, and a police dog took a large chunk out of him.

Normally travel insurance will not cover stuff in cars, my car insurance only covered the first £100 which was more than I expected.

Sorry to hear about your loss,

[Nickyboy]

Your home insurance will more than likely not cover it, dependant on your policy they may cover items carried with you but its normally around £500 unless you have extra cover.

[rusal]

camper vans are a prime target as they know its a tourer and will be rich pickings in that you havent left most at a hotel and more than likely not walking around with it. blade around the rear window rubber and its out in a flash. thats what travel insurance is for. bit of a clue in the title. shame.