Section : General

Convertibles parked with roof down 

Posted By : Darren Checksfield, 27-May-2005, 07:54pm

• Convertibles parked with roof down 

  Posted By : Jason Chinn, 27-May-2005, 10:57pm

  Working for a major UK insurer as I do, it would be quite wrong of me to flippantly ask - if the car has been stolen, who knows if the hood was up or down
  
  seriously though, you usually need to take "reasonable precautions" so if you live in a nice quiet cul de sac in a secure low crime area then you're probably OK. If you're in a high crime inner city then perhaps no - my arguement would be that the car is les likely to be damaged if the hood is down - let's face it, it's easy to get into any of our cars

  • Convertibles parked with roof down 

    Posted By : Darren Checksfield, 28-May-2005, 08:10am

    Thanks for that. 'Reasonable precautions' is one of those terms that is so uncertain that you only find out after the event what it entails.
    
    I must confess that I often park the spit up roof down and unlocked. I never see the point of locking if you can simply reach in and open the door from the inside. I guess an immobiliser is the answer. I have one on the Stag of course.
    
    I always think the Spitfire is a bit too distinctive these days to get in and drive away to steal. Many heads look (some try to be discreet!) so it would be noticed.
    
    Thanks again

    • Convertibles parked with roof down 

      Posted By : Philip Brammer, 28-May-2005, 10:25am

      I leave mine with the top down and anything of value in the locked boot. I have one of those yellow steering wheel clamp things just to put any scroat off having a go at it in public, and like a bike I try to park somewhere busy. As the business say's, if someone really wants to nick your car they will find a way.

    • Convertibles parked with roof down 

      Posted By : Jason Chinn, 28-May-2005, 10:27am

      I'm with you on that but a few simple precautions like an immobiliser are a good idea. A simple switch in the low tension circuit hidden away is good.

      • Convertibles parked with roof down 

        Posted By : Darren Checksfield, 29-May-2005, 01:04pm

        I rummaged in the garage and found one of the big yellow steering wheel things. That must be reasonable precautions me thinks, so will start using it.
        
        Thanks guys
        
        Darren

        • Convertibles parked with roof down 

          Posted By : Tim Everitt, 31-May-2005, 01:23pm

          I don't have my FJ policy to hand, but I'm sure that articles stolen from the car are NOT covered if it is not locked and with the roof up. I'm nearly certain (but a bit less, though) the same applies to a theft of the car itself. It certainly must be locked and the keys must not be in, on or close to the car - but I'm not sure about the roof. I'm sure your policy will tell you for sure.

          • Convertibles parked with roof down 

            Posted By : Darren Checksfield, 01-Jun-2005, 10:14pm

            Better read all that small print then!

            • Convertibles parked with roof down 

              Posted By : Jason Chinn, 02-Jun-2005, 09:19pm

              I try not to leave anything in the passenger compartment, roof up or down - if I do then I expect to lose it. The only place that's even remotely secure is the boot - and that's hardly tricky to get into The Sixfire has an electric fuel tap and an immobiliser switch plus a weird starting routine so isn't very easy to start. The Vitesse is standard apart from both doors can be locked from the outside and it's got bonnet locks. If someone really wanted to steal either of them then they'd be gone - that's why they're both insured with up to date valuations! Of course the thief would get everyone looking at them and wouldn't be hard to spot!

              • Convertibles parked with roof down 

                Posted By : Darren Checksfield, 02-Jun-2005, 10:14pm

                You sound the same as me then! Its not that i am lazy but it seems ridiculous to have to put the hood up to be gone to the bank or whatever for 10 mins and to lower it again to go. I much prefer to jump out, lock the door and on return jump in and go!

                • Convertibles parked with roof down 

                  Posted By : Clive Speaks, 07-Jun-2005, 11:35pm

                  To be honest, I'd rather that the pond life took the radio cassette player (&163;15.00 to replace) and didn't have to slash the roof (&163;140.00 to replace) in order get to it ! When I had a rag top on the road and the car was left with the roof up, the routine was valuables locked in the boot, doors unlocked and a crook lock fitted. With the roof down, I guess that as Jason says, be sensible where you leave it parked. I think that most of our cars are so noticable these days that they are pretty safe in most situations.

                  • Convertibles parked with roof down 

                    Posted By : Darren Checksfield, 08-Jun-2005, 08:48pm

                    couldnt agree more.
                    
                    thanks for your comments