Leaving key in ignition

[Bensonoid]

Let us also not forget folks that most burglars are not smart enough to know how to actually start these things and get them to go.

Steve

So true. When I drove my first spyder home from the dealer I stopped to fill the tank and had to push it away from the pumps because I couldn't figure out how to start it.

 

[Big F]

Ditto to what Pooch said..
BIG F
2018 RT Limited

 

[Peteoz]

I am wondering what the insurance company would say if it is stolen out of garge or other places with the key left in it unattended?? Just a thought

I doubt they would say anything, Longtimer. The insurance companies know it would be impossible to prove that the thief did not search for, and find the key in your “secret hiding place” in the house or garage, and then used it to steal the Spyder…..:dontknow:

Pete

 

[Peacekeeper6]

When you have been a victim of a robbery like I have, you tend to remove the keys out of the ignition in ALL of your 2,3,4 or 6 (motorhome) wheeled vehicles.

Yes, even the ones that float, lol.

 

[SeniorRider]

I have had a car, a truck and a motorcycle stolen from the Clear Lake area south of Houston

 

[Saluda]

A theft will definitely change your outlook.

 

[missouriboy]

So true. When I drove my first spyder home from the dealer I stopped to fill the tank and had to push it away from the pumps because I couldn't figure out how to start it.

HA! Been there, done that: on my first ryde, with a Harley-owner friend, we stopped at a bakery and when we came out I couldn't restart. I didn't even have a phone with me, but my friend did, and we called a neighbor back home for help. I had forgotten you must step on the brake!

 

[Peter Aawen]

I am wondering what the insurance company would say if it is stolen out of garge or other places with the key left in it unattended?? Just a thought

I doubt they would say anything, Longtimer. The insurance companies know it would be impossible to prove that the thief did not search for, and find the key in your “secret hiding place” in the house or garage, and then used it to steal the Spyder…..:dontknow:

Pete

Oh they certainly do say something Pete! :yikes: . At least here in Oz, it can make a fairly substantial difference to any payout they might offer!! Why do you think they ask "Was it locked?" or "Did you leave the key in it?" when you file your claim?? . And even when the vehicle is wrecked/torched after someone's taken it for a joyride, there are usually some bloody obvious indicators the investigators check for juuust to see if the crim actually 'broke into & stole' your vehicle or if they just used the key! There's even different criminal charges that apply depending on how they managed to abscond with your vehicle - ever heard of crims being charged with 'illegal use of a vehicle' &/or 'vehicle theft'? They are actually different things & aren't necessarily always used together for some very valid reasons! :lecturef_smilie:

Sure, you can argue that leaving the key in or even secreted somewhere on or near the vehicle shouldn't make any difference to the insurance payout; the :cus:crim still stole it! And if your trashed/burned vehicle shows no signs of forced entry or evidence of a bypassed ignition, you could even argue that the crim might've found your key in its little secret hidey-hole somewhere nearby, or maybe they stole it out of your house; but it still all counts towards you as the owner taking something along the lines of 'less than adequate precautions to properly secure your vehicle' and THAT can cost you in the long run! :banghead: . It happens, waaayyy more often than you might think! . And just as with sooo many other things, if you do want to argue, the Insurance company usually has waaayyy more time, lawyers, & $$ to back up their counter argument if it ever gets to court! :shocked:

 

[Peteoz]

Peter, you have gone down a whole other rathole there:shocked:, and although your response is definitely correct about “keys in ignition” in general, my comment was about a Spyder being stolen from a garage. Unless you are foolish enough to reply “yes” when asked if your key was in it, there is no way to determine whether the key was located by the thief in your secret hiding place and inserted in the Spyder, or whether it was actually left in the Spyder. I, personally, being a totally law abiding and honest citizen, remove my key from the ignition, but leave it very close by, so I can honestly reply that I did NOT leave my key in the ignition.:thumbup:

Pete

 

[Peter Aawen]

Peter, you have gone down a whole other rathole there:shocked:, and although your response is definitely correct about “keys in ignition” in general, my comment was about a Spyder being stolen from a garage. Unless you are foolish enough to reply “yes” when asked if your key was in it, there is no way to determine whether the key was located by the thief in your secret hiding place and inserted in the Spyder, or whether it was actually left in the Spyder. I, personally, being a totally law abiding and honest citizen, remove my key from the ignition, but leave it very close by, so I can honestly reply that I did NOT leave my key in the ignition.:thumbup:

Pete

You'd be surprised how many do say 'Yes' in response to that first bolded bit/question, even after their vehicle has been stolen!! And just look at this thread - here in Oz all these 'yes' entries might/could be used by an Ins co to reduce their liability - and they DO sometimes go looking for just this sorta thing if they feel it warranted or they are just being nasty! :shocked:

As for the second bolded bit, I wonder how many realise that here in some Ozzie States, 'leaving your vehicle with the key in it or otherwise unsecured' if you are more than 3 metres away from said vehicle can result in a fine &/or you being charged with an offence?!? (Nb - note the lack of reference to the key being 'in the ignition'?! ) I don't believe that offence has ever been applied when a vehicle was left in a locked garage, but just left in the carport &/or driveway is a whole 'nuther thing! :shocked:

 

[2dogs]

I can just imagine that if your vehicle was stolen and subsequently used/involved in a crime resulting in a death and after the fact, your key was found in the ignition, you'd be culpable to some degree. Particularly in a civil case based on negligence.

 

[Peteoz]

I can just imagine that if your vehicle was stolen and subsequently used/involved in a crime resulting in a death and after the fact, your key was found in the ignition, you'd be culpable to some degree. Particularly in a civil case based on negligence.

Maybe. But not if the car was stolen from your house where you also keep your keys though, 2dogs.

 

[2dogs]

Maybe. But not if the car was stolen from your house where you also keep your keys though, 2dogs.

I believe you and I may think along the same lines. Do you always lock your doors when you leave home? I hope so. I do.

 

[Peteoz]

I believe you and I may think along the same lines. Do you always lock your doors when you leave home? I hope so. I do.

…..yep, I sure do, 2dogs…… although having see how easily thieves broke into the next door neighbours very secure home and deactivated the alarm, and left with some of their belongings in one of their cars, I do wonder if it really matters :yikes:

Pete

 

[Peter Aawen]

Crims are like that - if they reeeaaalllly want it, they'll take it!! One way or another....

The thing is, the more difficult you make it &/or the more likely they'll be identified & caught, the less likely they'll try to take your gear! :lecturef_smilie:

But because of the first point above, however difficult to steal/likely it is they'll get identified/caught, good insurance is still worthwhile having... just so long as you've done all the things the Ins co expects you to do in order to avoid getting your gear stolen! :thumbup: . And I've got it on good authority that (at least here in Oz! ) leaving your key in the ignition OR kept or even 'secreted' nearby any time or place your Spyder/Ryker is unattended is NOT one of those things... - altho whether the Ins co thinks it'll be worth their while to reject or reduce your claim/payout is a whooole 'nuther question! :dontknow:

Me, I try to make it both difficult to flog my Spyder/other gear AND pretty likely they'll be identified & caught too - altho after seeking legal advice, I've hadta scale back some of the... errmmm, let's just say 'more inventive & potentially deadly' ways of catching them that I had in mind! :cus: Apparently, I'm meant to leave that bit solely up to the Constabulary! Even 12 volts applied directly to their nether regions is frowned upon! Dammit! :sour:

 

[2dogs]

…..yep, I sure do, 2dogs…… although having see how easily thieves broke into the next door neighbours very secure home and deactivated the alarm, and left with some of their belongings in one of their cars, I do wonder if it really matters :yikes:

Pete

Like Peter said, if they really want it they'll take it no matter what. And as you mentioned thieves are not all 100% stupid. Stealing is their job and they are somewhat good at it. The dayroom in the jails is where they share their experiences and pass along advice to others of their kind. One deterrent I installed on my forever project car was a hidden battery cutout switch. Could be useful on a spyder that's had stage 1 or 2 installed because to start them now, it's just turn the key press on the brake hit start and go.

 

[Saluda]

As said prior many (thieves) are opportunists, so all those leaving keys in and items unlocked make my (items and doors locked, keys away) odds better.