Car Insurance

[alijangra]

Whats the chances of my friends insurance provider paying out if her son took her keys without her permission and the car is written off? He has only a provisional licence and no insurance. She is insured fully comp.

[chazza]

I dont see why they wouldn't pay out, surely this is theft the same as if anyone else stole her keys and wrote the car off?

Why is it different if it is her son and not someone else?

[Northumbrian]

If the owner had reported the car as stolen, she would probably qualify for insurance pay-out, but the police would have to be involved and that would bode ill for her son. It's too late for this scenario now.

[alijangra]

The police are involved, and aware of the fact he took the keys without her consent. She is reluctant to press charges for theft (police are going to speak to her on Monday when the attending officer is back on duty) but if she does, would this make a difference? I personally think she should have him charged with theft because he doesnt even seem to be showing any remorse for what happened. She couldnt report the car as stolen as she was round my house with her hubby when it happened, the first she knew about it was when she got a call from paramedics attending the scene

[Annlinda]

The police could take a view that she allowed her son to drive the car if she tells the police her son didn't take the car without her consent. She could be charged with aiding and abetting. A bit of a catch22 situation.

[alijangra]

He has made it clear to police he took it without her permission, and she will reiterate this when she speaks to them tomorrow. However, she does believe it is up to her whether or not to proceed with the theft charge. She understands all the other charges such as driving without a licence and insurance are a given. Is this correct? Sorry about all the questions I just have no idea about this sort of thing!

[Beechy101]

I work for an insurance broker & know that if the keys are taken by a family member, you are not covered.