An Age of Magic

Is your Xmas shopping insured?

It makes good sense to really read your car insurance policy thoroughly. Did you realise that certain items are not included in your car insurance…or that their very presence in your car can render your whole policy void if you suffer the misfortune of a car break-in?.

A relative of mine found this out the hard way. We travelled to a well publicised ‘home exhibition’ show and parked according to where the attendants instructed us. In the back of the car were several items that he routinely kept in his car. One of them was his camera outfit. We spent about three hours going around the exhibition and on our return to the car noticed that the door was slightly open. Strange. We then discovered that the car had been broken into and not only the camera outfit stolen, but several other items as well.  This had happened in a secured car park and the car and it’s contents had been fully insured. Or so my relative thought.

It was his storing of the camera outfit in the car that brought everything undone. Apparently his car insurance had included a clause which stated that ‘personal items left in view’ would render the policy null and void should a break-in occur. He had to wear it.

As we are well and truly into the Xmas shopping period I have noticed many people carrying precious bundles out to their cars, packing them into the car and then wandering back off to the shops for more shopping. The downside of the festive season is that, unfortunately, the thieves are out and about and watching us. I have read of so many cases where cars are broken into at shopping centers during the Xmas period and the entire contents are stolen. It is so sad, but so common.

Please ensure that, if you ever suffer this infuriating fate, your car insurance will cover you for your loss. Bear in mind that many policies will not. I advise that you collect your gifts and take them home straightaway.  Spend on extra fuel; drive those extra miles.  Protect yourself and your Xmas. 

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