Van Decision Reference 2022-0210

• Case Outcome: Rejected
• Subject Matter: Van
• Reference: 2022-0210
• Date: 24 June 2022
• Finantial Sector: Insurance
• Conducts Complained Of: Rejection of claim

Decision Ref:

2022-0210

Sector:

Insurance

Product / Service:

Van

Conduct(s) complained of:

Rejection of claim

Outcome:

Rejected

LEGALLY BINDING DECISION OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND PENSIONS OMBUDSMAN

The Complainant held a Van Insurance Policy with the Provider. The policy period in which

this complaint falls, is from 19 August 2017 to 18 August 2018. This complaint concerns the

Provider’s failure to admit and pay the Complainant’s claim after his van was stolen.

The Complainant’s Case

The Complainant says that at approximately 16:30 on 2 May 2018, his van was stolen while

he was at work.

The Complainant says he was unable to carry the key to his van on his person for health and

safety reasons, as the key might have caused injury to him in the event of a fall. He says that

for this reason, he had put the key to his van in the cab of the excavator machine, in which

he was working. The Complainant says that he stepped out of the excavator to assist a co-

worker and it was during this time that he saw someone driving away in his van. He says that

the van was parked reasonably close to the excavator.

The Complainant reported the incident to An Garda Síochna on 2 May 2018 and

subsequently included evidence of this to the Provider, as part of his claim papers.

Following its assessment, the Provider wrote to the Complainant on 25 May 2018 to advise

that it was not in a position to indemnify his claim, as he had left the key to his van

unsecured.

In his letter to this Office dated 15 November 2018, the Complainant submitted that: