I too was intrigued by the ombudsman's decision (17 October, Insurance Times). A clause in an insurance policy about leaving keys in cars does not relate to that at all. It actually refers to how clear the glass is in a shop window. Now who would have thought of that.

It raises all sorts of interesting possibilities. For example, if the car were parked on the owner's drive and the owner can see through the house windows, then presumably if a claim occurs, he is insured.

If the curtains are closed, however, probably not. What happens if they are slightly open? Does it then depend on whether or not the owner can see the vehicle through the gap in the curtains, or at least alleges he could do so?

Leave it to the so-called experts and it is amazing how complicated these things can become.

Increasingly, it does appear that people in positions of power and responsibility in many walks of life, are anxious to make perverse judgments. Is it their way of showing that they see things differently, simply because they are so much more intelligent than the great majority of the population.

And words and phrases which have a simple meaning for most of us, actually mean something completely different.

Malcolm Brockman
PJ Weller & Son
Essex

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.

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