Would any insurance cover this?

[vrsmxtb]

I think I can already guess the answer but if 4 x OEM alloys were temporarily stored in a council rented lock-up, would any insurance cover them? As the garage is away from the house I doubt contents insurance would cover and as they were off the car that fully comp car insurance would not be applicable either?

F**ckers have forced the lock-up door and nicked them, looking at about 1k for OEM replacements plus new tyres. The lock was still locked and undamaged, so they clearly just popped the top somehow, it's a pretty flimsy up and over steel door. Surely as I pay around £50pcm for it, it should be more secure than that? Might chase this with the council to at least pay for secondary security.

Edited by vrsmxtb on Saturday 27th December 13:49

[KungFuPanda]

Doubt you'll be able to claim off any policy unless you have a specific policy to cover the garage itself.

[Mr Tidy]

Sadly I can't think of any that would apply.
I rented a council garage briefly - it leaked like a sieve and the only thing I had in it of any value also got nicked! But then they aren't usually located in the best neighbourhoods.
It won't help this time but I rent a unit in a self-storage warehouse where I now work and you can buy insurance for the contents.
We have at least one customer who keeps his winter tyres in a unit - we only see him twice a year in the car park changing his wheels!

[GoneAnon]

You rented a lock-up as-is.

If the security wasn't sufficient it was up to you to upgrade it or agree a deal (before renting) for the council to upgrade or you walk away and find somewhere else.

[vrsmxtb]

GoneAnon said:

You rented a lock-up as-is.

If the security wasn't sufficient it was up to you to upgrade it or agree a deal (before renting) for the council to upgrade or you walk away and find somewhere else.

That is fair enough. I'm not usually one to play blame games, slight natural reaction I guess. Also had it for several years now and not the slightest hint of trouble until now, so security wasn't really high on my radar, it's a reasonable area, although it is down quite a secluded alleyway.

While I'm still tetchy about the security, what would be the best immediate addition.

I'm thinking either a wheel clamp on the (low value) vehicle inside and a cable and padlock through the other two sets of low value wheels inside, perhaps looped around the vehicle. The vehicle is immobilised as battery is out for the winter. Or maybe just a bike chain round one of the wheels? Disklok on the steering wheel?

Not great at DIY but might try and fit extra bolts on the door tomorrow.

Edited by vrsmxtb on Saturday 27th December 14:13

[vrsmxtb]

Mr Tidy said:

Sadly I can't think of any that would apply.
I rented a council garage briefly - it leaked like a sieve and the only thing I had in it of any value also got nicked! But then they aren't usually located in the best neighbourhoods.
It won't help this time but I rent a unit in a self-storage warehouse where I now work and you can buy insurance for the contents.
We have at least one customer who keeps his winter tyres in a unit - we only see him twice a year in the car park changing his wheels!

Yeah I know, mine leaked until I complained loudly enough to get a new corrugated roof. That was no better after a year or so, so got another, slightly chunkier corrugated one.... which still leaks. Now this! I wonder why I pay for it, but have nowhere else to keep my second car which is usually SORN through the winter.

[Toltec]

vrsmxtb said:

The lock was still locked and undamaged, so they clearly just popped the top somehow, it's a pretty flimsy up and over steel door.

If it just has a small tongue of metal that engages with the keeper plate at the top then a good shove half way between the handle and top of the door may pop it open. It certainly works on my MiL's garage when I cannot be bothered to find where she has hidden/lost the key this time.

[Sheepshanks]

vrsmxtb said:

As the garage is away from the house I doubt contents insurance would cover and as they were off the car that fully comp car insurance would not be applicable either?

Not many people realise this, but contents policies generally won't pay out on car parts even if they were stored in your house.