There has been a bit of discussion on this already so I thought I would start it's own thread.


I have a Surflock and use it and love it. But after Vanders had his car stolen and the insurance company refused to pay out because he had the keys in a Surflock it scared the **** out of me as there is much at stake. Below is a response from an acquaintance who works for a Global Insurance company.

Whether an insurer would succeed in declining a claim on the basis that something like a Surflock was considered inadequate security would depend on the terms and conditions in the insurance policy.

I have had a quick look and mine (his own personal policy) and I'm confident we would win the argument. There are no specific policy provisions around security but there is a general (standard) condition that talks about looking after the vehicle. We have all purchased a Surflock and use it assuming it will provide adequate security. If that proves to be incorrect, I can't see how an insurer could rely on it when our assumptions were reasonable in the circumstances.

I think the insurer would firstly need to establish that Surflock was indeed materially less secure than the car itself and secondly, that a reasonable person ought to have known that it was so insecure. The insurer would have a difficult task in achieving that in my view.


If you have spoken to your insurer about Surflocks, or had an actual experience, post your response here. It would be really good if we can get a response from the Surflock people themselves, or even better an insurers official response.

Note: this topic is not meant to be an informative indication of which insurance companies consider Surflocks as acceptable security. Everyone should do their own research and enquire directly with an insurer before deciding on a policy

Good topic,I was lucky my car came with a swim key however the scum stole that on the weekend,I've ordered another one due next week at a cost of $150.The preserve cars I've owned came with a standard key which I used in the water, as a spare and two remote type.My sons car a Subaru didn't so we decided to kill one and use it as a swimmer,these keys are the type that have a small button on the key itself.I just feel saver have the key on me.

Re: surf locks,if I was using one I would lock it to the drivers side door handle,if anybody what's to have a go at it,it would look like they are braking in verses locking it to a toe bar where they could hide behind your car.

As said previously NRMA are happy to cover me using a surflock.

I use my surf lock all the time, I lock it up under the front wheel on my spring behind the wheel, you can't see it if your not looking for it.. And dont see me put it there...

Here's another question, what brand locks are you using. Mine is the farking one and it's solid as... My mate has another brand that looks cheaper and easier to break..

I'm with aami and have made an email enquiry, will post the reply when I get it.

I get a locksmith to cut a swimkey, 4 cars so far, all worked well. They will open the door but nit start the car. I am careful to rinse the key well to avoid salting up the lock mechanism.

I have a surf lock but feel more secure having my key in the leggie or pocket.

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kadilak said..

I get a locksmith to cut a swimkey, 4 cars so far, all worked well. They will open the door but nit start the car. I am careful to rinse the key well to avoid salting up the lock mechanism.

I have a surf lock but feel more secure having my key in the leggie or pocket.

+ 1

Would they prefer I hide it in my wheel hub like I used to before surf lock? Seriously insurers are a bunch of smokers.....

Apparently I would have been covered if I'd have left the keys under my towel on the beach, go figure

Surf locks are over rated just through the keys in the car and walk off,just wanted to reply so your not talking to yourself

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jbshack said..

kadilak said..

I get a locksmith to cut a swimkey, 4 cars so far, all worked well. They will open the door but nit start the car. I am careful to rinse the key well to avoid salting up the lock mechanism.

I have a surf lock but feel more secure having my key in the leggie or pocket.

+ 1

I tried this but with my new car and its fancy Korean alarm system the key might unlock the car but it then looks like I am trying to steal it as the alarms screams. It certainly gave me a few looks and a deaf ear so I opted for the surflock.

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Ted the Kiwi said...

jbshack said..

kadilak said..

I get a locksmith to cut a swimkey, 4 cars so far, all worked well. They will open the door but nit start the car. I am careful to rinse the key well to avoid salting up the lock mechanism.

I have a surf lock but feel more secure having my key in the leggie or pocket.

+ 1

I tried this but with my new car and its fancy Korean alarm system the key might unlock the car but it then looks like I am trying to steal it as the alarms screams. It certainly gave me a few looks and a deaf ear so I opted for the surflock.

Now that just sux. A surf lock under a towell on the beach might be better. At least you are not advertising which car it is for.

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Ted the Kiwi said..

jbshack said..

kadilak said..

I get a locksmith to cut a swimkey, 4 cars so far, all worked well. They will open the door but nit start the car. I am careful to rinse the key well to avoid salting up the lock mechanism.

I have a surf lock but feel more secure having my key in the leggie or pocket.

+ 1

I tried this but with my new car and its fancy Korean alarm system the key might unlock the car but it then looks like I am trying to steal it as the alarms screams. It certainly gave me a few looks and a deaf ear so I opted for the surflock.

I just tried to get a few quotes to add a car alarm to my Prado and everyone talks it down and said don't do it. Most no longer even fit them aftermarket

Have had a reply and Covered for use of the surf lock with AAMI.

Big downfall with surf lock . Ever had a late evening surf then tried to open them using your security numbers in the dark .

Almost resulted in a long walk home the other night , had to use the lights from passing cars to get the numbers right

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Tassiedevel said..

Big downfall with surf lock . Ever had a late evening surf then tried to open them using your security numbers in the dark .

Almost resulted in a long walk home the other night , had to use the lights from passing cars to get the numbers right

Yep +1 Put me right of mine.

Remember the bloke trying to break in doesn't know your code so why scramble it, just change the numbers one or 2 clicks...

I use a hitch safe. It's the absolute ducks nuts of locking mechanisms.

Cost about 80 bucks but is super secure and remains out of sight.