Hi, apologies for the long post but would appreciate any opinions/advice!

I was due to go on holiday a couple of weeks ago. On the night before I left, my Fiesta was stolen with the keys along with the spare keys to my brother's Fiesta. The keys were left on a unit next to the staircase in the hall. It was all a big rush and panic when my mum discovered the car was missing at 5:30am as she and my dad were heading to work. I phoned the police and told them what I thought had happened. They came round and were fine but now seem confused for some reason!!!

I came home at 9:30pm, Parked on the drive and began packing for holiday.

Before she went to bed at 10 my mum put my car out in the street so her car wouldn't be blocked in at 5:30am when she was heading to work (I was unaware of this but is normal for our household- lots of car shuffling!)

I went to bed at 12, dad at around 2, who I assumed locked the front door but he didn't as my brother was out drinking In town so he stayed awake in bed waiting for him to return.

At around 3am or a bit before my brother returned locking the door behind him and went to bed.

So we assumed somebody came into the house between 12 and 2 and stole the keys and my car as no sign of forced entry.

The car was reported stolen at 6am, and found badly damaged at 7:30am. Days later I received a speeding fine for 6:30am 68mph in a 30 zone.

The police keep saying it is strange how the car was just driven around the City rather than driven afar but I don't get it? They keep asking if we have lent the car to somebody or my brother has given the keys to somebody who came back with him or has somebody we know stolen them.

They have spoken to my dad and brother on the phone and seem to have got the wrong end of the stick. The police stated to me that my dad said the door was locked so they are unsure how the keys were taken - he said no such thing! I am getting fed up of it and wondering what the police report will say and if this will affect the liklihood of the insurance paying out if there is confusion? The car is a write off (I've had the payout figure but insurance are waiting on police report).

Am I worrying for nothing? Do I need to do something else? Any experiences from others?

Again apologies for the long post but you know what stress cars bring!!!!

Things like this anger me.. why steal somebody's pride and joy to thrash it about for a few hours then write it off, with no financial gains to yourself?

Intact.. why steal somebody else's pride and joy at all??

Sorry to hear about the car! "The dark night" may be able to help you on this matter as he seems to be clued up in legal matters!

I would contact your local force again and explain things to them in great detail and also get written statements ftom your Father and Brother to ensure that the facts are accurately presented.

If your local force come to the conclusion that either

(1) Someone may have been given the keys-

(2) The keys were not suitably secured or a level of negligence to ensure security was present-

then their report may reflect this and your insurance company may refuse to pay out on or invalidate the policy.

Get the facts down on paper and into the hands of whichever Officer is handling your case asap before their report is finalised and sent to your insurers.

think you should say the door was locked and they must have used a stick and hook to get the keys (v,common)

Thanks, am I best speaking to them or writing the whole story down? I've tried a few times on the phone but they don't seem to get it!!

In my view, it would be better if you wrote what occurred down but whatever you do - don't say anything which you know is not

true. Follow Clive's good advice concerning the police.

Thanks for the advice, I had the CID come round to clear it all up and they were much more understanding this time. My problem now is Aviva dragging their feet with sorting the claim out. They are "applying" for the police report through some sort of system but the police say this is ongoing and could take months if they catch somebody and take them to court.

The CID officer has given me a direct phone number and email so Aviva can contact him if they want something in writing.

Another issue, will they payout? The independent adjuster says its a write off and I managed to negotiate an acceptable price for the payout. My insurance policy states that the car is "usually" kept on the drive overnight but on this occasion it was on the road outside the house... what are my chances of them saying no to the claim?

Any experiences/advice?

Cheers.

You should be ok.

The term 'usually' is a flexible one, just because you park somewhere different for certain periods of time it doesn't make any difference.

My insurance is calculated on my car 'usually' being parked in a secure works carpark but it doesn't mean it's there 24/7.

Probably all the insurance company is waiting for is a log number, crime reference number and basic details of statements taken (which your force are not obliged to release but may do so by the way of co-operation).