Theft Update from Comfort Insurance,scary stuff!

[TinaLes]

Dear Mr
Over the past 2 months we have seen an increase in thefts of Fiat Motorhomes due to technology available to purchase online, which overrides the manufacturer standard security.

Areas specifically targeted are along the A127 within the postal codes of:
· CM
· CO
· RM
· SS
If you own a Fiat Motorhome in these areas please be aware of the increased theft risk.
While Motorhome thefts are rare, our claims statistics have shown that Fiats are being targeted. We recommend investigating and installing deterrents and/or taking preventative measures to decrease the risk of theft. Steering wheel locks, wheel-clamps and door locks are some ideas for extra security.

We would also like to mention that Ford Motorhomes still have the highest theft rates in the
above areas particularly including:
· SO
· BH
If you are thinking of, or have already purchased a Ford Motorhome please be aware of this increased risk and fit preventatives to the vehicle.
As a result of the increased risk with Ford Motorhomes and Campervans we require certain types of security when you take out or renew an insurance policy with us.

The underwriters, Aviva require your Motorhome to be fitted with a Meta Trak VTS or Thatcham Approved Category 5 or 6 tracking device.


However, if you would prefer not to fit a tracking device please contact our office and speak to our team 0808 1688 150 or info@comfort-insurance.co.uk. We will be happy to look for alternative insurance providers for you, which may not have the same requirements and answer any questions you may have.

We hope you found this information helpful and keeps your Motorhome safe and sound.


Yours Sincerely
Ben Cue

Director Of Operations

 

[Lenny HB]

Just received, I would have posted but you beat me.

 

[Clickem]

When the Post Codes are so specific it make you think that it is down to one person(s) that are responsible

 

[The general]

Yes for sure BUT put things in prospective ? Otherwise you wouldn’t sleep at night . All I do is layers of security and a nice undisclosed fright if they get past all that ! Can’t put it on here you don’t know whose reading but let me assure you if they enter the vechile they will have to change their underpants !!

 

[Sidney]

I’d like to know what has changed to make Fiat Ducatos more vulnerable

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[Larby]

I'm with Comfort and have a CO postcode. Just got my email from them.
I have secure storage also in a CO postcode
There are no CO postcodes along the A127 though
CO is a Colchester postcode and stops well before the A127.

So when will Ford wake up and accept they need to do something?

 

[Lenny HB]

When the Post Codes are so specific it make you think that it is down to one person(s) that are responsible

Probably on the Pi-key routes.

 

[Larby]

I’d like to know what has changed to make Fiat Ducatos more vulnerable

Lots of them so high chance it may be a Fiat

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
We have had the e-mail,i find it nice they have bothered to let us know,they are on the ball. Nice one.
Tea Bag

 

[Happy1]

spoken with comfort to see what this thing is you can buy online they suggested googling Fiat theft device but cant see anything specific in last two months,

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[Sidney]

I’d like to know what has changed to make Fiat Ducatos more vulnerable

Okay just discovered that for €500 you can now get into (and start) any vehicle. I’d imagine the price will come down soon enough so any tow rag can take whatever they want.

 

[TinaLes]

If mine gets nicked then its eddies fault!
This Comfort Insurance warning should ensure that his workshops are even busier now, and well deserved too IMHO.
Now eddie about my cut for PR services? one lump or two will no longer suffice
We still need to be vigilant of course, and not make it easy for the thieves....not hanging keyes by the back door might help.
Les

 

[Happy1]

Sidney what is it? do we need more physical locks or electronic stuff?

 

[Northernraider]

I’d like to know what has changed to make Fiat Ducatos more vulnerable

They've ran out of transits

 

[Deneb]

I’d like to know what has changed to make Fiat Ducatos more vulnerable

As I posted on a different thread a few days ago, and got criticised for it, one of the main suppliers of the Ford compromise device has apparently cracked the Fiat ECU security and is advertising a similar immobiliser bypass dongle for Fiats that they are selling in conjunction with a Turbo Key Decoder which reads and operates the mechanical locks.

It appeared to me from posts in various forums that something like this must now be in use, and it seems that Comfort are confirming it.

Fit a good alarm and most importantly an OBD lock. it is preventing access to the diagnostic port that will stop them from starting and driving the vehicle away.

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[Northernraider]

Isn't it strange that other insurance companies aren't doing this ?

Maybe the theives have an inside man at comfort and are targeting their customers vans

 

[Deneb]

spoken with comfort to see what this thing is you can buy online they suggested googling Fiat theft device but cant see anything specific in last two months,

BROKEN LINK

They claim it will override Citroen and Peugeot vans too.

 

[pappajohn]

If mine gets nicked then its eddies fault

If mine got nicked it would be the insurers problem not mine, they accepted the risk.

But... If mine got nicked it would be fraud and a miracle..... Nearest I have to a van is a tent and my tenting days are as rare as my breakdancing days.

 

[eddie]

This is one of the reasons that we have always advocated keeping your alarm system separate from your central locking system.

Alarm system manufacturers, want to make life easier for their customers, the installers, the quicker the installation, the quicker they get paid and move onto the next job. An alarm that plugs into the OBDP, turns on and off with the central locking and has a couple of wireless sensors is very quick to install, but pretty useless for the end user.

If the alarm is turned off with the original central locking key, and you suffer electronic (key clone) attack you may as well not have an alarm fitted.

Hard wired and using its own radio key to turn it On and Off the thief has to overcome the alarm system and well as carry out an electronic attack.

 

[Two on Tour]

spoken with comfort to see what this thing is you can buy online they suggested googling Fiat theft device but cant see anything specific in last two months,

Broken Link Removed

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[TinaLes]

I always feel sad for anyone that has their van nicked, but even sadder now that all our premiums will shoot up also
Les
Now Sleeping in van, tooled up ready, and they will have to move two cars to get it out the drive also.
Les

 

[Deneb]

So when will Ford wake up and accept they need to do something?

They have made changes to new vehicles coming into production. The way things are these days though, expect it to be about 6 months or so before its reverse engineered and cracked.

Good luck with getting Ford to change anything on Fiats though!

 

[Northernraider]

This is one of the reasons that we have always advocated keeping your alarm system separate from your central locking system.

Alarm system manufacturers, want to make life easier for their customers, the installers, the quicker the installation, the quicker they get paid and move onto the next job. An alarm that plugs into the OBDP, turns on and off with the central locking and has a couple of wireless sensors is very quick to install, but pretty useless for the end user.

If the alarm is turned off with the original central locking key, and you suffer electronic (key clone) attack you may as well not have an alarm fitted.

Hard wired and using its own radio key to turn it On and Off the thief has to overcome the alarm system and well as carry out an electronic attack.

Central locking

Jings that's posh

My alarm is nippy as I can't start the van Without having to press the fob even if only switched off for a few minutes. But that said open any locker or door and it goes mental so I guess it does it's job.

Think a detachable steering wheel is also a great option I had one on a previous van but trying to find a boss for one these days isn't easy

 

[monzer]

I think I have read on here of 1 stolen motorhome being recovered. Is it not about time the police set up a pro-activ operation concentrating specifically on m/home thefts or indeed recoveries? It's ridiculous how easy it seems to be to help yourself to a 20k+ vehicle and make it your own.

 

[Fontie]

Fit a good alarm and most importantly an OBD lock. it is preventing access to the diagnostic port that will stop them from starting and driving the vehicle away.

Got one of these delivered today, have you fitted one are they easy to fit on a Fiat Ducato ? I already have Strikeback with Growler fitted.

My storage place was broken into a few weeks ago its gold cassoa 3 of them balaclava's set of the site alarm cutting through the gates, owners called the police who did come caught 2 third got away. Site owner has no idea if police took action they wouldn't tell him. Glad his security CCTV and alarms alerted him and police did come. I always set the alarm on my van the flashing LED's put thief's off straight away I think. Mine is the only one in there that has LED's flashing visible alarm.

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[Geo]

Someones Listened Eddie

 

[SpeedyDux]

The A127 passes close to the notorious Traveller encampment at Cray's Hill.

This may be a coincidence.

 

[DaveandJen]

Many thanks for sharing this letter. A few weeks ago another member on here posted that he had his late model Fiat based Motorhome stolen with no forced entry and all van keys to hand. Last week the left hand side of our internal front windscreen silverscreen dropped down and set off the alarm we also have fitted and pleased it worked.

 

[Deneb]

Got one of these delivered today, have you fitted one are they easy to fit on a Fiat Ducato ?

Yes. The OBD plug situated below the fuse box/body computer can be pushed out backwards through the bracket after depressing a lug on one side of the socket that releases it. Drop it down into the footwell and fit some protective tubing around the wiring loom (depending where you bought the lock, it may be included with it). Enclose the socket in the lockable casing and bolt it all together. Undo the bolt attaching the dashboard frame to the bulkhead above the throttle pedal, position the mounting for the OBD box over the bolt hole and secure it with the new shear bolt that should also be in the kit.

I also got another OBD socket and loom from a scrap van, and fitted that into the original mounting bracket, running the wiring back behind the fuse box and taping it to the loom, just to confuse anyone accessing it and delay them further.

 

[Dorwyn]

Is this Comfort letter specific to those postal ares? I've not received the letter or email yet. Are they suggesting that your insurance would be invalid if van stolen when no alarm fitted?

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