Surf key lock
Na...they having a lend..surely they have to prove the Key you had in the surf key lock was used to start the car
People get there cars stolen from there driveways after the thief has taken the keys from inside there house....only metres away
jono ...they tried on with you eh....But paid you out months later ?
Who is the insurance company ?
Scumbags hey! As are the thieves..
Never used one in 25 years of drurfing. However probably says more about the cars I’ve owned..
Heard lock box’s are being targeted on surf coast too. I’m going to get one of these https://www.uncuttable.com.au/our-products/wide-grip-uncuttable-lockbox....
Sorry to hear mate...
I'm looking at upgrading my car next year and a wet-key solution is a priority, for sure. Surely there has to be an answer to what you do with your keys whilst surfing in this day and age.....
swellnet /Smart Key pretty dumb by Stu from a few years back
bit more info
Thanks Udo, yeah I remember that. Doesn't seem to be much advancement beyond what was already mentioned in the comments. You would think that with all the tech invested in new cars and the amount of people who surf/swim or whatever, that there would have to be a solution somehow
I also think that insurance companies would know this, so relying on them to cover you, as in Brett's case, is risky at best.
Hey Brett, as udo mentioned I've got first hand experience with this. I posted the following in a thread last year:
Last year I had my car stolen from Cooly. I was using a surf lock and they stole the car and drove it straight to Currumbin Valley and set it on fire (like within 15mins, they didn't even stop to use my cards in my wallet). Also, we'd just moved to the Tweed Coast so we had tried to sell it before leaving (about a month earlier), but then changed our minds and decided to keep the car - so this set off some massive red flags for the insurance company. They were very suspicious, they had a proper investigator spend a couple of months going through our lives, multiple interviews with me, detailed investigation of mine and my wife's finances and phone records, interviewing local relatives & friends, guy that worked at Greenmount cafe (who helped me with phone, dry clothes etc), girl that sold me the surf lock etc. We started to get the feeling that they were going to deny our claim. But in the end they approved it, I think because I had made a reasonable attempt to secure the vehicle, and the investigator must have worked out that we weren't doing a scam.
They Police have the car now and have just caught the guy. There was a battery grinder in there, so I’m guessing that’s how they got it off and open. The cars a mess and painted a different colour. Budget Direct emailed saying “Your claim is currently under review due to the conditions of cover not being met under your policy which is outlined in your Product Disclosure Statement on page 14.
bastards. but you gotta read the fineprint with insurance because you know they will use it against you
there are youtube vids out there on how to break into those key locks (which i use all the time btw - the locks not the vids) and apparently cars using them were being routinely broken into on the NBs of syd about a year or two ago (read it on swellnet iirc)
an affordable, properly-secure option would be good to have
Some vehicle manufacturers are better than others with bright ideas but probably never had surfers in mind. My Toyota is a push button start but has a little manual key that unclicks from the main electronic case which I would never have known about if the dealer hadn't shown me. So you can lock everything up and put the detachable key in your wetsuit pocket. Might be some of you Toyota owners out there that are unaware of this so check it out.
I've driven hyundais and hondas that have the same detachable key system.
I get my key cut and put in in my legrope leash key pocket. The key only opens the door, not start the car. I keep the real car keys in the glove box when in the water.
In the glove box....he he
You should check your insurance policy before using lock boxes
I'd heard about claims not being paid because people used them and so I got my company to check out their policy and I was told that it was ok for me to use the lock box
Read the fine print I suppose.....
The insurance company don’t say you can’t use a lock box in their PDS but they do say this “you or the person in charge or control of the car, lock the car, activate any required security devices and remove all keys from within, on, or in the immediate vicinity of the car when it is left unattended for any period of time”
I’ll be fighting it that’s for sure, this is why we pay for insurance.
Hopefully you get it sorted. I stopped using a key lock, and now have a separate key that is waterproof, and leave my regular key in the car when surfing. But it sounds like this might go against some policies too so I'll have to check my insurance policy I think.
I've used the same method for twenty years. Car unlocked with the key in the ignition and window down. Never had anything stolen. Serious.
hahahah, thats my level of security too. but I drive shitboxes.
I can't even lock my car. Reading threads like this makes me jealous.
Should see the state of hire car keys after a week of burying them in the dirt or sand haha. Personally have a second surf key cut and put it in my wetty.
for anyone else struggling with what to do with a new electronic key, i've been using this waterproof key case for a while, and hasn't failed me yet.
https://keebunga.com/
It is large, only just fits in my wetsuit key pocket, but it works, and i don't have to worry.
Get one of the larger, but waterproof, plastic key boxes that will just fit your electronic key in it. Then get one of those “spy-belt” style neoprene running clip things. Zip box into belt, clip belt around waist. Key/ box goes in small of your back. Put wettie on.
Not sure how it would go with boardies. Assuming OK, just never done it.
https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/spibelt-running-belt-osfa-black-black-46...
If you leave ignition key in car insurance will not pay if it gets stolen. If you have gone to the effort to buy a surf lock then you have taken all reasonable steps and they will/must pay. I know ;)
They will pay mate. Don’t put up with delaying tactics. You took all reasonable steps. Make sure to claim for interest if they string you out too long as well, as well as your broken surf lock(car accessories). ;)
Leaving the key in my ignition won't help a thief .You would need to know the exact sequence of little tricks to get her started and keep it running. The old beast must have a commodore64 running the engine management system. Do not touch the raise radio aerial button in my car,, all hell breaks loose
I hope your right @curly2alex , I just tried calling again, every time I call Budget they say the officer can’t make it to the phone or is too busy today, they will call back the following day, they never have once.
Brett. Take photos of all the cars done beach with surf locks on them. Ask what alternative you could have used. They have 14 days to decide to pay or not. If not then dispute all way to ombudsman. All comes down to what a reasonable person would do. Don’t stress...they must pay :)
Brett, dont how the full extent of your case but I would If you haven’t already (1) immediately start a diary of all past and future communication to/from your insurance company (2) if you speak to anyone always ask for a reference number for the call - note that number down in your diary (3) try to only communicate with the insurance company via email (4) make enquires of your rights with the insurance ombudsmen and with the local small claims tribunal. If you need to go to the ombudsmen the diary And emails will form your evidence.
....... used a surf lock for awhile but only put a rock in it, always hide my keys out of sight under a bush or even bury them in the sand inside a plastic Box from the supermarket ...... and always park in the most visible spot .... we had a spate of cars broken into a few years back, maybe upwards of 15, he was caught, turned out to be a pensioner in his 60s
Thanks for your info mate, appreciate it.
Got paid yet brett028 ?
I’ve had to get a lawyer involved and go to the internal disputes and lodge a complaint and their denial of the claim.
I also called Budget Direct anonymously and asked if I was to sign up with them for car insurance and that I surf a lot, would I be covered if the unfortunate happened and my key was locked away in a key safe? They said “sure not a problem, you will definitely be covered” so I basically went through my scenario again and she said “as long as my key was locked away” So I had it all recorded and sent to my lawyer who did a awesome job on putting the case together, then yesterday they emailed me to say the case has been overturned and my has been accepted!! Nearly 3 months ago it happened. Let’s see how long it takes to get the $$ now and bring on some Xmas swell. (Wishful thinking I know)
Feel free to email me if anyone has these same dramas and has any questions. brett028@icloud,com
Unreal Brett. That anonymous call whilst recording was the key (pun intended).
Good work Brett
Great result!
Good on you Brett.
Shame you had to lawyer up but very clever on your part. Well done.
Great result mate
I am trying to contact Brett028. The same thing has happened to someone I know. I was hoping to get some advice about the claim - and why they accepted the claim?
Got his contact details in a post above.
Going through the same drama now with my insurance company Budget Direct. Had my car stolen from Burleigh Beach about 5 months ago and still fighting with them over my claim. Anyone had a similar experience or still fighting with this company please let us know. My case is now in the hands of the ombudsman and I am building up my case to support my claim.
Im with Budget Direct. This doesn’t sound to good or is it just classic Insurance company bullshit. I dont know if this is too personal to ask but how can they contest that your car was stolen?
Insurance companies will look for any excuse to deny a claim. They will argue that you mustn’t leave your key in or on the car even if it’s locked in a box.
I used to use a keylock and fasten it to the car’s front suspension out of sight. But there were too many reports of cars being stolen in my area when keys were left in a keylock, so I stopped using it and got a non-electric key cut and attached it to my boardshorts.
My current key is a fob, so it goes into a small waterproof bag that goes into my board shorts pocket and attached to the loop.
The problem with key locks is they are easily opened with bolt cutters or by a persistent thief who is prepared to work their way sequentially through the 10,000 combinations. If the thief tries one combination per second he can go through the entire set in less than 3 hours. So, there is a 50% probability he will hit the right combination in less than 1.5 hours, and a 33% chance he’ll break it in less than one hour. If he’s fast he will try more than one combination per second and the time to open shortens.
If you’re going to use a key lock attach it someplace that is out of sight and uncomfortable to access. Better to find an alternative though.
Not quite to the issue but relevant in terms of insurance company bastardry. One of the big storms recently dislodged some of our roof tiles and let water into the lounge room. We put in a claim for the damage to the carpet , an assessor came around and told us the carpet was stuffed and would have to be completely replaced. The next day we got a call saying the claim had come in under our excess ($1000.00) which was just not possible. I kept at them and we ended up getting over $6000.00. Don't believe a word the lying bastards say!
'One of the big storms recently dislodged some of our roof tiles'
That'd be goofer's incredibly, monstrously proportioned craft being jettisoned like a beak snouted hot potato into the biosphere, as he looked over the edge... again... The least he could do is fork out for the repairs. I'm off to do a workout... again...
That’s the second time you’ve mentioned me today. I’m blushing ;-P
Ombudsman just ruled with insurance to not pay out on 2020 North Burleigh Sweet Van Theft.
ACA / Bully Thursday 30th September...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Tour-Guide/Flow-Surf-Guides-Aust...
Said Lock must not be on car > Attraction for Lazy Thieves.
Kinda like advertising we'll be gone for a good while... so ya got all day to steal our car! { Thank You! }
Worse than that >>>>> Shows exactly where yer keys are >>> ( Clue : Try Looking in here first...Please!)
Goldie Cops / Lifeguards recently ran a Promo...handing out these same Locks >>> "Safest Option!"
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/crime-court/cops-give-away-200...
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/6cc2a699651efb8f0c95a401cec05f58
Theft was April 2020 > Indeed the Van was used by thieves to clean out houses...works real good!
Today the insurance Ombudsman verdict brought no joy...settles any doubt about issue!
Here another similar. Cops and govt say have a pass on your car when entering qld. Many people attach an a4 pass (or 2) on the left inside windscreen..cops pass drivers thru checkpoints and say nothing. Now, insurance is declining some claims under the rule of obstructed vision, something attached to windscreen hinders view.
Little known but great feature on new Subaru Outbacks is you can lock your key in your car and open your car with PIN from a little button on the tailgate. Works like morse-code sort of.
Stupidly, I've never bothered to enable mine.
And don't get me started on insurance companies.
I’ve had my car stolen while out surfing on the Goldy with my key in a surf key lock locked up underneath my car. My Insurance are now saying I’m not covered because the key was still in the vicinity of the car.
I know a lot people use these locks and need to know this for their own vehicle.