Guard your key fob

[robertj]

Hi all,
My house was burgled last week and my key fob and wallet were taken. In order to secure the car again LR have advised that the locks and fobs have to be replaced etc and the cost is $2300 approx. plus a 2-3 week ex UK timeframe. As you all know the D3 can be accessed electronically or manually, so just changing the fob won't work.
My comprehensive insurance will only cover a max of $750 less the excess of $500 so I get a paulty contribution from them.
If I don't get the whole system changed the thief can re-visit the car at any time (or any where) and steal anything that I leave inside, vandalise the inside or drive it away if I forget to fit the club steering lock that I have had to urgently buy as a deterrant.
These senarios aren't covered by the insurance policy as I haven't ensured the vehicle is secure.
So my advice is check your insurance policies and make sure that if you loose or have your fob stolen the whole locking system can be changed under a claim.
When I mentioned this to the attending police they mentioned that the Tourag cost another victim $6500!
There's no way the insurance companies aren't aware of this but because of the cost they are happy to under value the real price and cover the cost of a fob and thats about it.

[spudboy]

Those prices are insane!

You'd think there'd be a way of disabling a specific fob. You could do this on a Volvo for sure (yes - I am an ex 850R owner...), so it must be possible :(

If the fob could be disabled, all they could do would be to open the vehicle, but not start it.

[Hamish71]

I love my D2 and Nanocom....:wasntme:

[DiscoWeb]

Bugger,

Perhaps you could suggest to your insurer that it would have been cheaper for you if they had taken the car and trashed it !!. Does not sound logically that it costs you more to simply replace the key rather then the vehicle.

The least the bugger could have done was leave some money from your own wallet to pay for the key.

But as Spudboy said, You would think it would be a simple matter of deactivating the lost or stolen key rather than replacing the whole system.

Pretty much every building/facility etc is now controlled by electronic key security system, hands up anyone who does not have an access card to their office/apartment.

Thank for the heads up not a good situation.

Regards,

George

[BigJon]

Pretty much every building/facility etc is now controlled by electronic key security system, hands up anyone who does not have an access card to their office/apartment.



:spudnikwaving:

[dmdigital]

Key fob should be able to be removed from the vehicles control unit. You would have to buy a new fob+key and have it programmed in. The problem is the key and this would need the locks changed and so you would need in effect 2 new keys and one new fob. I bet with the integrated fob/key of the D3 you can't just buy one part of it.

Does the key open the door or do you need to use it in conjunction with the EKA to get access? I'm not familiar enough with the D3. If this is the case then having the key would be useless to the individual once the fob has been disabled from the vehicle.

[eddomak]

Anyone know if this is also true for the D4?

[Graeme]

These senarios aren't covered by the insurance policy as I haven't ensured the vehicle is secure.
I would be seeking legal advice as I suspect you had taken all necessary precautions in not leaving the key in the vehicle.

[jonesfam]

Lucky they didn't take the car I guess.
Let a Rottweiler sleep in it.
On a blanket & only till you get the new key.
Jonesfam

[fraser130]

I would have thought if the fob was in your house, then you home/contents should cover it.
bugger!

Fraser

[Neil P]

I really think folk should get a Safe . I've had one in each house for many years. For real valuables , a Bank deposit is good too .
Save yourselves some grief !

[CaverD3]

I would have thought if the fob was in your house, then you home/contents should cover it.
bugger!

Fraser

That iwhat I thought. You would be claiming the replacement cost of the Fob.

[Graeme]

My claim would be that the vehicle's security system has been compromised and therefore must be restored. If you were to endeavour to obtain comprehensive or theft cover from another insurer and declare that a thief has a key, I doubt they would be interested in providing cover against theft.

[stig0000]

if they take the key of a d4/sport/vogue, a new key can be programed and the stolen taken off the car, but you MUST have the spear key as that will also be disabled as well,

but then you still have the prob of the d4 key will still open the car, but set alarms off, but wont start the car,

but who with out reading the book nose how to get the cut key AND the battery out of a d4 key, :D:D

[Graeme]

but who with out reading the book nose how to get the cut key AND the battery out of a d4 key, :D:D
... and know where to insert the key!

[sniegy]

:spudnikwaving:I know, I know, I know!!!

[Graeme]

Sniegy, I suspect you aren't the one who took the key so it doesn't count.

[jonesy63]

I really think folk should get a Safe . I've had one in each house for many years. For real valuables , a Bank deposit is good too .
Save yourselves some grief !
Until the drug-fueled, low-lifes realise the keys aren't easily accessible - then threaten your family. It's a no-win situation. :mad:

[robertj]

My insurance policy (Product Disclosure Statement) clearly states what is and what isn't covered and in this case it is up to a max of $750, all I can do is try to argue the point this with another claims officer and get them to bend the rules.
So much for loyalty - having comprehensive car insurance for over a decade, (only claim being third party that was not my fault) and full home insurance for nearly a decade also they are happy to screw you and say that they give you peace of mind full cover insurance... all with a smile!
So far I have have spoken to two people and got the same prepared rhetoric.
I have also checked out two other insurance companies, while they offer a little more at $1000 but a long way short of the true cost to re-secure your vehicle.
In conversation with them I did suggest that it probably would have been better that the guy took the car but got no response from the insurance reps on that!
Yes you can change the fob programming however it still means that the car can be opened with the key allowing full access and loss and or damage to anything and everything inside which would not be covered by any insurance because "I did not take reasonable/all steps to secure the car".
Going to have one more go tomorrow with them!

[CaverD3]

Did you check your home insurance policy to see if it would cover the value of the stolen key fob and associated work?

[LeaRoy]

Is there any way to remove the key from the fob? That way it can be kept secure away from the fob.

Then you can replace the fob only if stolen and still have the original key.

[gps-au]

Is there any way to remove the key from the fob? That way it can be kept secure away from the fob.

YES, have a look at the D3 key, its a tiny screw... oh what a pain !!

[gps-au]

Did you check your home insurance policy to see if it would cover the value of the stolen key fob and associated work?


Great Idea,

I actually just added as specified items "Motor Vehicle Key Fobs & resultant loss costs" to my home insurance.

The agent just stared at me, so he got written instructions to have it added. Insurance company rang to confirm what I was on about, explained and they said, oh never thought of that. They have accepted the risk and added the items.

[robertj]

Car and house are insured with the same company. However they are insistant on one claim per policy - one for the house and contents and one for the car.
This is just another way for them to prevent any worthwile claim and minimise their exposure by making me pay two excesses and not one. The fact that the burglary occured in the house and not house and car is irevellant in their eyes so I am shopping around for a new insurer.
"Not happy Jan!":mad:
To answer another option - the theif has a key and unless you change the door locks he can still get into the car and wreak havock even if he can't drive it away.
The only course of action is to replace the locks, re-code the electronics and replace fobs!
This is an issue that must effect many makes to varying degrees so my advice is to everyone to insert a specific clause in your policy
Cheers all

[Barefoot Dave]

G'Day Robert. Thanks for bringing this rort to our attention.
Mate, as a stop-gap if the money is not available, what about a secondary 'dead- bolt/ locking system'? That is, a cheap additional auto locking system from Jaycar or the like.
Alternatively, have the keyfob deactivated and disconnect all of the key barrels in the doors.Remove the mechanical means of operation and rely on the new fob to get you through.
Not sure if there are sensors that will have to be fooled for the security system to operate correctly.
Don't know if this is possible, but a bit of bush- mechanickin' might help.
Dave.

[CaverD3]

Car and house are insured with the same company. However they are insistant on one claim per policy - one for the house and contents and one for the car.
This is just another way for them to prevent any worthwile claim and minimise their exposure by making me pay two excesses and not one. The fact that the burglary occured in the house and not house and car is irevellant in their eyes so I am shopping around for a new insurer.
"Not happy Jan!":mad:
To answer another option - the theif has a key and unless you change the door locks he can still get into the car and wreak havock even if he can't drive it away.
The only course of action is to replace the locks, re-code the electronics and replace fobs!
This is an issue that must effect many makes to varying degrees so my advice is to everyone to insert a specific clause in your policy
Cheers all

I would think you would only be making one claim; on your house policy?

I think you can name them. :angel:

[robertj]

RACQ is who I'm insured with and they won't look at adding any additional cover for this situation.
The guy's been caught but there is still the unknown factor if he has given the key to a mate or will be back after he gets a smack on his wrist.