Queensland couple faces $40000 loss after car theft due to insurance claim denial
A Queensland couple faced a $40000 loss after their car was stolen, with their insurer denying the claim due to keys being left in the vehicle's centre console.
A Queensland couple are set to be out of pocket $40000 after their new car was stolen from the garage of their Gold Coast home, with the insurer denying their claim because they left the keys in the car's centre console.
Last August, Guy and Nadine Broadbent were asleep when thieves broke into their home, using tools to pry open a locked gate and enter a laundry door into the garage.
Guy woke at 4am to see his 2023 Kia Seltos Sport sedan had been taken.
The couple lodged a claim with their insurer, Budget Direct, only to have it denied due to the keys being inside the car.
"The car was secured in the garage. They've gone through our home, into the garage, lifted up the roller door and taken off in the car," Broadbent told the Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday.
"I feel silly for being honest with them but I'm an honest person and do the right thing. I told them the car was locked up in the garage and the key was in the centre console. We got broken into and they've driven away with it."
The car has never been recovered.
Budget Direct sent the Broadbent family a letter, outlining the reasons for denying the claim.
"You must ensure that you or the person in charge or control of the car, lock the car, activate any required security devices, and keep all keys, remote locking devices or proximity keys safe and secure," the letter states.
"This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring all keys, remote locking devices or proximity keys are not left in the car."
The Broadbents' appeal to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority was also unsuccessful.
On Wednesday, Sunrise reporter Georgie Costi said the situation was "a reminder to everyone to always read the fine print".
"Guy and Nadine ... were fast asleep when thieves actually forced their way into their home," she said.
"They used tools to break in via the side door and the laundry. They made their way into the garage then when they were able to steal a brand new $40000 car.
"The couple woke up ... realised the car was stolen and they reported it stolen to police and the insurer, and they were honest -- they revealed the keys were in the centre console.
"That's when things got really tricky. The insurer, Budget Direct, refused to pay out the claim. The couple are furious ... but the insurer says the keys needed to be locked away and stored safely."
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