Was going to get one for myself but just witnesed a down winder dude rocking up to find his car gone from Trigg
I've used mine for the last 3 years and they are OK. I keep mine hidden under the tray at certain car parks in the far nothern suburbs otherwise i just attach it to one of the hooks in the tray. Whilst it would be easier to steal a car after going through a kite bag / shoes / clothes you could easily break into one in a quiet carpark so just don't leave any valuables in the car and insure it correctly and go about your day.
Some comments here after same Melville
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Western-Australia/Car-stolen-at-Melville-Fri-271115/
I use one but the problem is they are a signal you are out in the water. Not so much of a problem in a busier car park but in a remote location.....
. I have a lithium Dremel with a diamond blade that can cut through anything quickly without much noise. Makes you realise how vulnerable everything is. I just went through all this with a new vehicle and proximity key. Safest is to have it on you in aqua pack. If you read American surfing forums, there's a bundle of stories on guys getting robbed by criminals targeting surf locks opened by force 
From someone who has had 3 cars stolen in my lifetime (one was when out surfing), I know the paranoia around this issue.
I've used the key around the neck, and the key in the pocket, and both have failed me before - resulting in a long walk/trying to find a phone to call someone.
I use the key lock now - electronic keys dont go well with water.
I've never had an issue so far.... I make sure no one is staring at me when I lock it up (dont advertise the fact the key is there)
And, I've also painted the entire lock completely stealth black, so from a distance it is somewhat more camoflauge.
But still, its only good for the honest thief. A decent pair of bolt cutters, and 10 mins later they could come back with the key.
You need to keep the lock hidden out of sight. Not hanging there like a sign saying "I'm out in the water". Primed for a good hammer to lock.
See so many like this.
Find a spot where you can lock it then sit it up on something so no one can see it.
Select to expand quoteFactory said..
You need to keep the lock hidden out of sight. Not hanging there like a sign saying "I'm out in the water". Primed for a good hammer to lock.
See so many like this.
Find a spot where you can lock it then sit it up on something so no one can see it.
Yeah i know. There's just no where I can find to put it under the car, nor somewhere you can't see it. Maybe I'll try the front instead....
Touch wood, I have been fine with the padlock style.
But was keen to look at one of these, with the cover on, you can't tell it's a lock..
Select to expand quotebreakzmaker said...Factory said..
You need to keep the lock hidden out of sight. Not hanging there like a sign saying "I'm out in the water". Primed for a good hammer to lock.
See so many like this.
Find a spot where you can lock it then sit it up on something so no one can see it.
Yeah i know. There's just no where I can find to put it under the car, nor somewhere you can't see it. Maybe I'll try the front instead....
Maybe use a short steel cable so you can attach easily somewhere underneath next to a good little ledge to sit lock on top of......?
If buying a keylock, be sure to check it actually fits your key. I just received one of these that I ordered online, only to find the kn thing is too small for my key, and I suspect too small for most electronic car keys.
www.factoryfast.com.au/products/portable-padlock-safe-key-box-lock
Anyone want a key lock for a smallish key? 
I've used one for a couple of years now - kiting, swimming, running. Never had a problem but at the end of the day their only a deterrent because if somebody wants to break the key lock they will.
Here's an interesting one; last year we went on a holiday overseas and while we were there a cyclone hit home cutting power to our house (fridge and freezers full of food) and we had not left a key with any body. When I got home I decided to place a key safe under the house so we would never be left in that scenario again so I checked with my insurance company and the reply was "if there is no "forced" entry into the house I was not insured for theft. Needless to say there is no key outside the house because they could grind the key safe open and use the key to enter the house, meeting no insurance.
I wonder if this is the same as a car; break into the key safe and use the key to steal the car - no insurance because there was no forced entry / smash the car window and hot-wire it - insurance because it was forced entry.
Couldn't be bothered atm but I'll ring the insurance company and find out one day.
Select to expand quoteSauce said..
Touch wood, I have been fine with the padlock style.
But was keen to look at one of these, with the cover on, you can't tell it's a lock..
These are the best but you need a Hayman Reece style tow bar for them to work.
I use my key safe often but never considered the insurance aspect. Just queried with insurance broker and they sent it on to Allianz...
You'd just never admit it would you? Just tell them it got pinched somehow. The police wont go out of their way to really investigate a normal every day car and if the ***** have broken the keysafe, chances are it's just been dumped next to where the car was.
Select to expand quotewindreams said..
"if there is no "forced" entry into the house
they could grind the key safe open and use the key to enter the house,
I think this would still classify as forced entry
Select to expand quotewindreams said..
I've used one for a couple of years now - kiting, swimming, running. Never had a problem but at the end of the day their only a deterrent because if somebody wants to break the key lock they will.
Here's an interesting one; last year we went on a holiday overseas and while we were there a cyclone hit home cutting power to our house (fridge and freezers full of food) and we had not left a key with any body. When I got home I decided to place a key safe under the house so we would never be left in that scenario again so I checked with my insurance company and the reply was "if there is no "forced" entry into the house I was not insured for theft. Needless to say there is no key outside the house because they could grind the key safe open and use the key to enter the house, meeting no insurance.
I wonder if this is the same as a car; break into the key safe and use the key to steal the car - no insurance because there was no forced entry / smash the car window and hot-wire it - insurance because it was forced entry.
Couldn't be bothered atm but I'll ring the insurance company and find out one day.
a key safe being broken into would be considered forced entry/theft I would have thought. many a rental holiday house have these. if you left the key under the doormat or pot plant then no...
Select to expand quoteHighzaKite said..
windreams said..
I've used one for a couple of years now - kiting, swimming, running. Never had a problem but at the end of the day their only a deterrent because if somebody wants to break the key lock they will.
Here's an interesting one; last year we went on a holiday overseas and while we were there a cyclone hit home cutting power to our house (fridge and freezers full of food) and we had not left a key with any body. When I got home I decided to place a key safe under the house so we would never be left in that scenario again so I checked with my insurance company and the reply was "if there is no "forced" entry into the house I was not insured for theft. Needless to say there is no key outside the house because they could grind the key safe open and use the key to enter the house, meeting no insurance.
I wonder if this is the same as a car; break into the key safe and use the key to steal the car - no insurance because there was no forced entry / smash the car window and hot-wire it - insurance because it was forced entry.
Couldn't be bothered atm but I'll ring the insurance company and find out one day.
a key safe being broken into would be considered forced entry/theft I would have thought. many a rental holiday house have these. if you left the key under the doormat or pot plant then no...
From the feedback I got from my broker, the insurance company will not cover theft with the key safe scenario. I tried to make the point that it would be harder to break into the key safe than a window but basically that's just the way it is.
I cut and pasted the exact reply I received from my broker when I asked the key safe question: "With regards to your “Key lock” enquiry I can confirm that there is no requirements under your home and contents insurance for the installation of a key lock, however it is important to understand that if there is a theft at your home following the use of a key, you are uninsured. To claim a theft of contents and subsequent building damage you must be able to show and prove that there was forcible and violent entry to your home. The use of a key would void your cover."
The insurance company I use is one of the big boys in the industry but maybe I should try a different one and see if they will accept key safes as they are convenient...
That's just the standard reply designed to scare you and i bet they'd say the same about leaving your keys on the beach whilst you go swimming! They have to prove that's how your car was stolen and since most end up smashed or burnt, it'll be hard to prove.
Select to expand quoteMDSXR6T said..
That's just the standard reply designed to scare you and i bet they'd say the same about leaving your keys on the beach whilst you go swimming! They have to prove that's how your car was stolen and since most end up smashed or burnt, it'll be hard to prove.
You might be right... It's a risk I'd be prepared to take with my busted ass work ute but not my house. After reading some of the feedback I might contact the actual insurance company and get their take on using key safes because your right highzakite many rentals have them - not to say their covered though.
Anyhow just raising my experience with key safes and insurance so your aware of potential loopholes...
Select to expand quoteSauce said...
Touch wood, I have been fine with the padlock style.
But was keen to look at one of these, with the cover on, you can't tell it's a lock..
Ive been using one for a couple of years now.
Keep it lubed so it doesn't corrode and jam in hitch.
If you get a key lock make sure you put it in a place where it's hard to spot and hard to access with tools.
People you see who put their key locks hanging of the back of the car right out in the open are just asking for trouble.
You might as well put up a big sign saying "Hey, I'm out surfing, here's my key, come and grab it", most of them you can even spot from a distance so the thieves only have to make a quick loop around a parking lot to find a potential target.
I get that it makes your life easier by putting it in a convenient place but that convenience also applies to the bad guys...
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a Key Lock is the size. I brought one just this week online and when it arrived I discovered that my VT commodore key doesn't fit in it. I've had another brand before and that did fit all of my keys so I assumed that it would be ok and it wasn't something I was considering.
I'm taking the electronic part off the spare key today so I can get into my car where my full set will be :s
Select to expand quoteCmonWind said..
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a Key Lock is the size. I brought one just this week online and when it arrived I discovered that my VT commodore key doesn't fit in it. I've had another brand before and that did fit all of my keys so I assumed that it would be ok and it wasn't something I was considering.
I'm taking the electronic part off the spare key today so I can get into my car where my full set will be :s
From memory if you take the blade out the the remote won't work. But the blade by itself will open the car in the door lock.
If the key lock has a hole in the bottom the blade can poke through that when locked, I had a VT as well
Haven't heard back from the insurer yet but I am going to check out the Aquapac key holder.
I have a car with all the fancy electronic crap including alarms and motion sensors, however all can be bypassed once the thief has the key from the safe.
Been using the padlock style for a few years now since stashed keys (wheel arches, bumpers etc ) were getting stolen from cars here. It started to get a bit of salt air corrosion and I've been meaning to lube it, yesterday returned to van after a four hour session and the padlock just wouldn't open, release button jammed, borrowed a screw driver and had it open in less than two minutes, bit surprised thought it would be harder to force open Might pay the extra bucks and get the in hitch style posted above.
Select to expand quoteSurfer62 said..
Been using the padlock style for a few years now since stashed keys (wheel arches, bumpers etc ) were getting stolen from cars here. It started to get a bit of salt air corrosion and I've been meaning to lube it, yesterday returned to van after a four hour session and the padlock just wouldn't open, release button jammed, borrowed a screw driver and had it open in less than two minutes, bit surprised thought it would be harder to force open Might pay the extra bucks and get the in hitch style posted above.
That hitch style is the one they target overseas. It can be forced open easy as well because it's fixed in position so can be struck hard. They are prone to seizing up. The key safe dangling is harder to strike unless you cut it off first. Someone should invent a solid tray that slides into your hitch and is simply secured by a tow hitch pin lock. It could slide right up the hitch and capped so you don't even know it's there. Even better if an aluminium container fits in the tray so people with proximity keys can save on alminium foil.
So in other words
this
www.haymanreese.com.au/products/hitch-pin-locks
Fits into a tray that slides in your hitch
and could be capped
www.google.com.au/search?q=tow+bar+cap&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-au&client=safari#imgrc=TvUvZRUcg2L27M%3A
Any handy metal workers that can make the tray. Send the royaltiEs my way
Select to expand quotepearl said..
Surfer62 said..
Been using the padlock style for a few years now since stashed keys (wheel arches, bumpers etc ) were getting stolen from cars here. It started to get a bit of salt air corrosion and I've been meaning to lube it, yesterday returned to van after a four hour session and the padlock just wouldn't open, release button jammed, borrowed a screw driver and had it open in less than two minutes, bit surprised thought it would be harder to force open Might pay the extra bucks and get the in hitch style posted above.
That hitch style is the one they target overseas. It can be forced open easy as well because it's fixed in position so can be struck hard. They are prone to seizing up. The key safe dangling is harder to strike unless you cut it off first. Someone should invent a solid tray that slides into your hitch and is simply secured by a tow hitch pin lock. It could slide right up the hitch and capped so you don't even know it's there. Even better if an aluminium container fits in the tray so people with proximity keys can save on alminium foil.
So in other words
this
www.haymanreese.com.au/products/hitch-pin-locks
Fits into a tray that slides in your hitch
and could be capped
www.google.com.au/search?q=tow+bar+cap&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-au&client=safari#imgrc=TvUvZRUcg2L27M%3A
Any handy metal workers that can make the tray. Send the royaltiEs my way
Good tip Pearl, my tow ball mount assembly ( the bit that slides into the hitch ) is actually hollow so all I need is a pin lock or even just a small padlock to go through the normal pin and just put the keys inside the ball mount itself, simple ! Cheers
I'm bored, there is no wind and its too hot to go outside. So I've surfed a few Product Disclosure Statements and the devil is in the details, usually in the 'General Exclusions' section. It seems on the point of keys in or on the vehicle there is no consistency in the policy wording on the few that I checked.
RAC car insurance exclusions
"Failure to take all reasonable care to protect your car, its contents and keys.
"Your car being left unattended with the keys in or on it. "
SGIO
"We don’t cover loss or damage caused by or arising from you:
• not taking reasonable care to secure your vehicle"
HBF
I can't find any reference to keys in or on, or reasonable care to secure.
YOUI
"What is not covered?
"Theft or attempted theft if:
the ignition keys were left in the car;
the ignition keys were left near the car whilst it was unattended by you;"
ALLIANZ
"You must during the term of the policy follow and meet all of the policy’s terms and conditions. In particular:
take all reasonable care to prevent loss of (including theft) or damage to your vehicle. T
his includes but is not limited to: ensuring that the ignition keys are not left in the vehicle when no one is in the vehicle; "
When we will not pay your claim
Theft of your vehicle Any theft of your vehicle unless at the time of the theft:
• the ignition keys were not left in the vehicle whilst the vehicle is unattended; "
And APIA for the poleys 
Same as HBF, I can't find any reference to keys in or on, or reasonable care to secure.
[\quote]
Good tip Pearl, my tow ball mount assembly ( the bit that slides into the hitch ) is actually hollow so all I need is a pin lock or even just a small padlock to go through the normal pin and just put the keys inside the ball mount itself, simple ! Cheers [\quote]
Easy. That would work. You could also modify an old hitch to make a key safe with a lock pin
www.supercheapauto.com.au/
Stash your key there before you go in the privacy of your home an lock your key in when your there. It's as thief proof as you can get!
Select to expand quoteChris6791 said..
ALLIANZ
"You must during the term of the policy follow and meet all of the policy’s terms and conditions. In particular:
take all reasonable care to prevent loss of (including theft) or damage to your vehicle. T
his includes but is not limited to: ensuring that the ignition keys are not left in the vehicle when no one is in the vehicle; "
When we will not pay your claim
Theft of your vehicle Any theft of your vehicle unless at the time of the theft:
• the ignition keys were not left in the vehicle whilst the vehicle is unattended; "
My broker has confirmed that Allianz will cover the key safe scenario.
