Hauliers warned to secure their trucks
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• Insurers say they will no longer cover theft of vehicles when keys have been left outside in the absence of the driver.
The widespread practice of hauliers hiding vehicle keys on their yard, on the ground near the vehicle, or in tyre rims so that drivers can make an early start should be stopped now, insurance experts warn.
Peter Johnson, a director of Cheltenham-based specialist haulage insurance broker MR Ratcliffe, says he has come across an "increasing and significant" number of hauliers who have lost their truck, trailer and customer's load in this way and had their claims rejected by their insurers.
"They are often told that they are not covered under the terms of the policy," says Johnson. "It is common sense not to leave keys about, but it appears to be widespread practice to leave them hidden. The trouble is, the thieves know where to look."
Norwich Union says it puts a clause into all its motor policies stating that the firm will not pay out following a theft if the keys were left "in or on" the vehicle. Most of the other large insurance companies, including General Accident and Commercial Union, word their policies to state "reasonable care" must have been taken and each claim will be looked at on its own merits.