Bad news

Heartbeat - 95 SL2 · 11-27-2004, 06:43 AM

First off, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - I did not drop by for salutations beforehand.

I'm posting this in the general and tech sections - probably does not belong in tech, but some people know me here, and I'm not sure if they visit general.

My Saturn SL2 was just stolen tonight :hmm:

First time for me, and I don't know anyone else whose car has been stolen, so here I am. Question: do you call the insurance company without hesitation? I filed a police report, but was not sure if my next call should be the insurance company unless I'm sure I'll file a claim. Despite the age of my car, I still carry comprehensive since it was not much more than liability. However, I was wondering if the deductible is payable regardless of the outcome (recovery, recovery with repairs needed, or no recovery). Seems to me I'd only have to pay the deductible if out-of-pocket repairs are more, like you'd do in an accident, or if I'm paid out for a non-recovery. I mean, in an accident, you try at all costs to avoid a claim, so I was wondering if it's the same for a stolen car.

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!

Frugal1966 · 11-27-2004, 07:39 AM

Yes, you should call the insurance company as soon as possible and then tell them you filed a police report. I would also give them the police report file number in case they need to get a copy from the police. Sorry to hear about your car and hope you get it back soon.

juggalocrazy · 11-27-2004, 01:25 PM

Sorry to hear about your car,

if the POPO ever find these asses, let me know I will send you my asp and a pair of handcuffs. Then you can let the justice fly.

GoldieGoldie97 · 11-27-2004, 05:22 PM

were your windows, doors, panels and everything etched with the VIN number?

it might not help that much now, but usually that will deter a chop-shopper.

where was it stolen at? your driveway? the mall?

Heartbeat - 95 SL2 · 11-29-2004, 01:24 AM

No, my car was stock except for the radio and CD changer, so no etching of VIN. Car was stolen in a store parking lot less than an hour after I parked it.

hiechimu · 11-30-2004, 01:38 PM

Sorry to hear about your car dude.
Definetly call your insurance company. Make sure you write down all the names and dates of people you spoke to. Never give them the original copies of paperwork. Keep everything organized. Usually what happens is they will cut you a check for the value of your car, which is never enough. If your car is recovered, it becomes property of the insurance company. They they fix it and resell it.

Everyone thinks that a car is stolen for a chop shop, but in reality, most cars that are stolen are used in other crimes, like drivebys or for joy riding and crashing into things. I know this girl who had her car stolen, and the just drove around hartford smashing into other cars.

Car theives suck.

ian12 · 12-10-2004, 01:33 AM

actually i think the insurance company needs the police report so they can acknowledge its been stolen.

ian12 · 12-10-2004, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiechimu

Usually what happens is they will cut you a check for the value of your car, which is never enough.

exactly, they will have a certified person check the car out and see what they think its worth and usually thats how much you get which is usually way below actually value just so they dont have to spend alot of their money. take for instance me and my dad, i was in an accident a week before i got my license. car was totalled and it was a great car we had for a year. well once inspected they guy said it was worth $8000, but insurance said the most the car was worth was $3200 and would gives us about $4000 because they felt generous. insurance sucks