A GARAGE owner says he has suffered a double insurance loss after thieves stole a van from him.

Andrew Skrynnyk's insurance policy means his vehicles are not insured for theft from his premises or within a quarter-mile radius of them.

When a van was stolen from his company, A N S Autos in Scar Lane, Milnsbridge, he could not claim for the theft - but his insurance company will pay out to another driver after the thief crashed the van into a parked car.

Mr Skrynnyk says this is unfair, adding: "I am losing both ways.

"I'd sold the van, but now I'll have to give the customer his money back - and I can't claim for the van being stolen and damaged.

"But the driver of the parked car will be able to make a claim against my insurance company, which means my premiums will go up.

"I'm losing in every way and can't see the logic in it."

Mr Skrynnyk has had a tough time recently, with several arson attacks on vehicles outside his premises. In the last few months, arsonists have destroyed four cars and a caravan at the firm.

They have wrecked a G-reg Citroen Pickup, an H-reg Renault 19, an E-reg Vauxhall Nova, an M-reg Rocsta four-wheel drive and a caravan.

"We are suffering some kind of crime or damage every week," said Mr Skrynnyk. "All the police say is that it's an epidemic around Milnsbridge and Golcar.

"At this rate I'll lose money by the end of the year."

Trevor Marvin, marketing manager for Mr Skrynnyk's insurance company - motor trade specialists Tradex - said: "We feel very sorry for our client, but under road traffic law we are his insurers and a claim can be made against us."

He said the other driver could make a claim against Tradex for the damage caused to his vehicle by the thief crashing the stolen van into it.

He added: "If someone is prosecuted for stealing the van, Mr Skrynnyk may be able to sue the thief for the cost of repairs to the other vehicle. But it depends on the amount of damage."

Mr Marvin could not say if Mr Skrynnyk's insurance premium would go up as a result of the latest claim.

"The number of claims made will have an effect on the premium," he said. "We will just have to see what the level of the claim is."

Police are investigating the van theft and subsequent crash, but no arrests have yet been made.