rented garage

[maitre d']

I've got a garage in a block that I rent from the local council. 

[a]  Because it's not attached to my house, I can't insure [under my house contents policy] the contents - ladders, tools, toys, spare furniture etc.  Anyone know of a company [UK - that is] that will insure it's contents - approx �500 - to replace stuff, if damaged/nicked? 

[b] Also my father maintains the car [when kept in there] should be left unlocked - so that in the case of a fire/flood whatever - the rescue services could push it out.  Wouldn't this invalidate my car ins. policy [fully comp] assuming I told them?

[simms]

I think the emergency services will get your car out quite easily - I don't think your insurers would want you to leave it unlocked. Your dad's possibly fretting about damage to the car bodywork being caused by brutal towing techniques but let's face it, in the kind of emergency he's anticipating, that would be the least of anyone's problems.

[Miss Zippy]

Re the point on keeping your car unlocked, this probably wouldn�t invalidate your insurance policy completely but if you fail to adhere to basic security requirements under your policy (e.g. to keep your car locked when it is not in use) then you will almost certainly lose protection under your policy if the failure to lock your car is relevant to any loss you sustain. The emergency services could easily move your locked vehicle if needed so I shouldn�t worry about impeding any emergency efforts; they would only do this if life was at risk. In such a situation, as simms points out, minimising damage to your vehicle will be the last of their considerations.