My car got stolen and wrecked… what to do?

Insurance Forum Auto Insurance
1

So, my car was stolen a few days ago and completely wrecked. The driver side is trashed, the suspension is shot, front tires are blown, and my new ball joint is completely torn apart. The problem is, the person who took it had ‘access to the keys’ because they were hanging on a key holder, and now my insurance won’t total the car. To make things worse, if I want it fixed, I’ll have to pay for it all out of pocket, and the cost is way more than the car is worth. I don’t know what to do with it now, but I don’t want it sitting around rusting either. Anyone have advice on how to deal with this situation?

** I do have gap insurance, but I’m not sure if that will help since the car is financed.

2

Wait, so who exactly wrecked your car? Do they live with you?

3

I feel like you’re leaving something important out here. Who took your car exactly? If it was someone who broke in, found your keys, and took it, that’s one thing. But if it’s someone who was already in your home or lives there, insurance probably sees them as an authorized driver.

4

@Joss
Yeah, and if they aren’t listed on your insurance as a driver, or if you’ve got a named driver exclusion for them, they could easily deny the claim.

5

Quince said:
@Joss
Yeah, and if they aren’t listed on your insurance as a driver, or if you’ve got a named driver exclusion for them, they could easily deny the claim.

I’ve had claims where someone filed a police report because their car was ‘stolen’ by a family member. I remember one case where the parents had their car stolen by their adult child, who had serious issues with substance abuse. They even sent me their rehab bills to prove how frustrated they were.

6

@Cam
Did they get denied?

7

@Joss
What state are you in? Insurance laws depend on where you live.

8

@Joss
But why won’t insurance cover it? If the owner can drive it, why not a family member?

9

@Joss
Especially if they’ve driven it before. Also, does this mean you don’t have collision coverage?

10

Why isn’t this under collision coverage? Who drove the car, and what’s their relationship to you?

11

This is going to be an interesting thread :popcorn:

12

Xavi said:
This is going to be an interesting thread :popcorn:

I was just thinking the same thing :laughing: Definitely feels like something’s missing from the story.

13

Xavi said:
This is going to be an interesting thread :popcorn:

The title doesn’t quite match the story though, does it?

14

Penn said:

Xavi said:
This is going to be an interesting thread :popcorn:

The title doesn’t quite match the story though, does it?

Yeah, and OP’s left out key details. They mentioned that the person had access to the car because they lived with them temporarily. Also, the police wouldn’t file a report because the person had access, making it a civil issue. It’s no wonder the insurance claim was denied.

15

Xavi said:
This is going to be an interesting thread :popcorn:

I need a drink while I read through all this drama :cocktail:

16

You’re not giving us the full story. Who took the car, how are they connected to you, and do they live with you?

17

Ray said:
You’re not giving us the full story. Who took the car, how are they connected to you, and do they live with you?

It was my cousin’s husband’s sister. She’s not related to me, and she wasn’t living with us.

18

@Lyle
Did you report this to the police?

19

Kai said:
@Lyle
Did you report this to the police?

Check the comments; OP already addressed this.

20

@Lyle
Is she twice removed? If she’s not, she’s probably not covered by your insurance.