Car theft: what actually decides the casco claim
Short answer
On a theft claim under casco, payment depends on meeting the policy requirements — handing over all sets of keys and documents, a working security system, and prompt notification of the authorities and the insurer.
The keys are the first question
Almost every policy requires all sets of keys and remotes to be handed in. A missing set raises the question of how the car was taken and is the most common cause of dispute. If you received only one key when buying a used car, that is said at inception, not after the theft.
The security system must be the one the policy was priced on
If the premium was calculated with a given level of protection — immobiliser, alarm, tracker — it must be present and working. A removed or faulty system changes the basis on which the contract was concluded.
The waiting period is part of the procedure
The theft is reported to the police and to the insurer immediately. A period then normally runs during which the investigation is awaited before compensation is paid. That period is written in the terms; it is not a delay but part of the process.
Frequently asked questions
- What if the car was stolen with the keys inside?
- That usually falls under the exclusions or leads to refusal, as it is treated as a failure of due care. The exact wording is in the policy terms.
- What if the car is found after payment?
- Ownership normally passes to the insurer. The procedure and deadlines are set out in the policy.
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