An Ottawa family found out the hard way Wednesday morning their insurance doesn’t cover vehicle theft.
The Dwyers said they used their two vans to take their family of five to everything from doctor’s appointments to work - but when they woke up Wednesday they had been taken from their townhouse parking lot.
To make matters worse, they found out they wouldn’t be covered for the loss under their insurance policy because it didn’t cover theft.
“They basically just said we weren't covered for theft, and they were sorry this happened to us but there was nothing they could do,” said Genevieve Dwyer.
“I thought that would be the basic package. I thought theft is one thing that could happen to anybody.”
“I've gone through the whole gamut of emotions, from absolute sobbing to rage to utter disbelief that this could happen to me,” said Justin Dwyer.
Justin and Genevieve said they live on a single income with three children under the age of six.
Both Dodge vans were holding their car seats and were over ten years old, one a birthday gift from Justin’s father.
“The emotion there, bringing home my youngest from the hospital,” Genevieve said about her connection to the vans. “The little things.”
Liability insurance is required to drive, in case you cause damage or an injury.
However, insurance for things such as theft and vandalism is optional, a fact Justin said he’ll always remember.
“Make sure you know what your insurance policy covers (theft),” he said. “If you're not sure, call your broker, ask them questions, make sure that you are covered.”
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Claudia Cautillo
