What to do with keys when surfing?

soulstyledevon · Aug 20, 2016

Billy said:
What happens if some smashes the window and finds the key and drives off, won't the insurance be void?

Yes...!!!
Check Cyclo's post page 2.

Norfolk Jim · Aug 22, 2016

My son bought a steel key box with combination lock and hardened steel hasp. Put key in and attach to the towing eye or somewhere near where surfing like a cycle rack even. Hasp cannot be cropped or ground due to steel quality. Cost him about £75 but they've used it for couple of years now surfing round Bairritz area and my insurance company approved it. Put's his mobile and wallet in it but normally attached to towing eye.

BTW it is waterproof so not affected by weather

soulstyledevon · Aug 22, 2016

Norfolk Jim said:
My son bought a steel key box with combination lock and hardened steel hasp. Put key in and attach to the towing eye or somewhere near where surfing like a cycle rack even. Hasp cannot be cropped or ground due to steel quality. Cost him about £75 but they've used it for couple of years now surfing round Bairritz area and my insurance company approved it. Put's his mobile and wallet in it but normally attached to towing eye.

BTW it is waterproof so not affected by weather

Do you have a link for this box. Would like to check it out myself.
Who are you insured with, I'm gobsmacked they have written this into your policy on a £50k vehicle.

Norfolk Jim · Aug 22, 2016

Sorry I don't have a link to the box as he bought it nearly 18 months ago now in London some lock specialist place. Mine isn't a Cali but still worth £25k as LeisureDrive conversion and is insured with Highway which is LV.Van is away at moment just gone to Europe for 3 weeks with other son and has documents in it but I recall couple of stipulations where when in use it must be parked in prominent location and box must be on view. In other words not some random small beach carpark in middle of nowhere so anyone seen using specialist equipment to remove it could be seen (it has quite a think hasp that is supposed to be grinder proof) and not used during the dark (not seem anyone surfing in the dark yet). The lads keep the code on a plastic fob inside their wetsuits to ensure they remember the code - it has 6 tumblers and the words Proximity Alarm fitted - lol. I's quite a beast but very neat - IIRC it was around at least £75 which I thought was a lot when you look at it. If I remember I'll find ino when he's back but we then go away for couple of weeks..........

soulstyledevon · Aug 22, 2016

Norfolk Jim said:
Sorry I don't have a link to the box as he bought it nearly 18 months ago now in London some lock specialist place. Mine isn't a Cali but still worth £25k as LeisureDrive conversion and is insured with Highway which is LV.Van is away at moment just gone to Europe for 3 weeks with other son and has documents in it but I recall couple of stipulations where when in use it must be parked in prominent location and box must be on view. In other words not some random small beach carpark in middle of nowhere so anyone seen using specialist equipment to remove it could be seen (it has quite a think hasp that is supposed to be grinder proof) and not used during the dark (not seem anyone surfing in the dark yet). The lads keep the code on a plastic fob inside their wetsuits to ensure they remember the code - it has 6 tumblers and the words Proximity Alarm fitted - lol. I's quite a beast but very neat - IIRC it was around at least £75 which I thought was a lot when you look at it. If I remember I'll find ino when he's back but we then go away for couple of weeks..........

I would not be comfortable with those insurance stipulations. Some very grey areas in that policy.
I just don't trust insurance companies and how someone may interpret parked in a prominent location would worry me. Lots of surf spots are off the beaten track etc.
Also what constitutes dark...?
Would they pay out if it was used at dusk, where car parks are quieter and it's becoming darker. Usually one of the best parts of the day to surf especially if evening offshore are kicking in.

I dunno Jim, to many variables there for me. Last thing I want to worry about when surfing is my van. The reason for surfing anyway, is to escape and relax. Not sure I could in that scenario.

Be interesting to see the box though, even though it's not for me.

surfer-rich · Aug 22, 2016

Aquapack for me, i keep a roll of disposble food bags in the van, put the key in 1 of those, knot it then place in the aquapack so if that did leak the food bag would still keep the key dry.

DM · Aug 24, 2016

Detritus said:
I'll lock the main key inside in a keypad somewhere?

Some insurance companies specifically state that theft insurance is invalidated if a key is inside the vehicle - even if the vehicle is locked.

Pete M · Aug 25, 2016

Cut the key blade off of the fob , take your surf key with you and leave the fob in the van.

Loz · Aug 25, 2016

Pete M said:
Cut the key blade off of the fob , take your surf key with you and leave the fob in the van.

But that means you have manually locked, but not alarmed the van?
Won't that give the insurance company another excuse not to pay if it goes or gets broken into ?

Pete M · Aug 25, 2016

Loz said:
But that means you have manually locked, but not alarmed the van?
Won't that give the insurance company another excuse not to pay if it goes or gets broken into ?

It's still alarmed when you lock it with the key, if you unlock it with the key when you return and don't unlock with the fob within appox 20 secs the alarm goes off (I've done it loads of times!).As good measure make sure the steering lock is on.

soulstyledevon · Aug 25, 2016

Pete M said:
Cut the key blade off of the fob , take your surf key with you and leave the fob in the van.

You have left the most important part in the van and a reason for your insurance company not to pay out...!!!
Granted, might stop one or two.

I can't get my head round, why anyone would not just take their key with them and play it safe, especially with such expensive vehicles.
:headbang

Each to their own I guess.

Loz · Aug 25, 2016

Pete M said:
It's still alarmed when you lock it with the key, if you unlock it with the key when you return and don't unlock with the fob within appox 20 secs the alarm goes off (I've done it loads of times!).As good measure make sure the steering lock is on.

That's reassuring, just had 5 years with a Kessy (keyless) Touareg and that is a total nightmare camping as it is very difficult to shield the key and stop the doors unlocking with a simple hold of the handle ....

Pete M · Aug 25, 2016

soulstyledevon said:
You have left the most important part in the van and a reason for your insurance company not to pay out...!!!
Granted, might stop one or two.

I can't get my head round, why anyone would not just take their key with them and play it safe, especially with such expensive vehicles.

Each to their own I guess.

I wasn't after an opinion, just telling you what I do!

soulstyledevon · Aug 25, 2016

Pete M said:
I wasn't after an opinion, just telling you what I do!

No drama, I'm giving it away FOC

Hotel California · Aug 25, 2016

Four pages
63 replys
1943 views up 'till now....
Seems hard figuring out what to do with a key!
Are there any surfers arround?

T6Beach · Aug 25, 2016

Utter madness to leave a key in a car? Even if well hidden.

flying banana · Jul 2, 2017

I got 4 key fobs with mine so I removed 1 of the key blades by knocking out the tiny roll pin. then you can put it on your person. leave your keys in the van. put a quality steering lock on from Halfords and take that key with you too,they usually have small enough keys and no electronics to get wet and surely the van is locked and secure enough. then properly stash your real key inside maybe some really stinky socks for added security . when come to sell the blade can easily be refitted and no damage done. apart from the hole I drilled.