A while back a couple of guys were using a battery grinder cutting those locks open on the Gold Coast,I stopped using mine and got a blank key cut $30
Aquapac all the way, take the toggle off the tether they supply it with and tie it around your waste so it sits in the small of your back under your wettie. This way, the key stays on you, avoiding insurance issues, you can also operate the key through the wettie, which is really useful in winter, you can get access to your van quickly, to get the change robe on before the chill sets in. Also, with a key safe, you need a light to see the combination, as it gets dark, again a problem in winter, an Aquapac doesn't have these issues.
I drive a VW Golf. Proximity key and no real 'manual key' option without popping a cover off on the door handle.
I can lock it in such a way that you have to use the unlock button on the key, as opposed to simple proximity.
I read a lot about insurance PDS fine print etc. Mine states something along the lines of 'all reasonable effort' to secure the car as opposed to some that simply say something along the lines that the key can't be in/on or near the car.
I use a long shackled padlock over part of the rear suspension. Masterlock lockbox gets hooked onto that. It's a pain to get to and deal with - that's at least some deterrent.
I contacted my 'insurance' co about it - supplied pics and description, to ensure it met their needs. And asking for their advice re: what are my options if what I was doing wasn't enough. My insurance dude informed me that he needed to contact the underwriters for confirmation/clarification.... and never got back to me. As I see it, this equates to 'all reasonable effort'. Arguably, if it went to court, I'd have to have a decent shot, given I contacted them for clarification and advice regarding what is/was 'reasonable effort' (or whatever the exact terminology is).
Nonetheless, I'm working on the assumption that the difficulty in accessing my lockbox is deterrent enough for most thieves.
But, if any thieves want it bad enough, there's not much I can do about it.
Cheers!
Get a wet key and float from Barrenjoey locksmiths , $55.00 . Available for most cars.
