Is an Auto Repair Shop liable if my car is stolen while it is in their possession?

Question

Is an Auto Repair Shop liable if my car is stolen while it is in their possession?

Answer 1

It depends on the contract. If you have signed any paper stating that the vehicle, even when it is in workshop is at your risk, then workshop is legally not liable. Just watch out what papers you are signing (Papers include delivery notes).

Answer 2

yes they are, auto repair shops and such businesses have full insurance which covers all kinds of accidents including such cases of a clients car being stolen. at least its how it works in my country(Iran). but doesn't your own insurance cover this case?

Answer 3

In my opinion...if there are signs in the shop stating that they are not responsible for fire, theft, or ...etc.-then No. but if you plan on taking them to court, if I was you, I would go back to the shop and take pix of every and any wall so JUST IN CASE they go buy a sign afterwards, you can show the judge that the sign was not posted before your vehicle was stolen.

Answer 4

you bet ye

Answer 5

They are not liable if your vehicle was stolen, just like you would not be liable if it was stolen from your drive way.  However, most auto repair shops do carry Garage Keepers coverage which will cover a theft while a customer's vehicle is in their care, custody and control.

Answer 6

In New York there is something called proper care and custody,If you leave a car at a garage with the keys in it and it is stolen it it on you,HOWEVER,If you leave your car at a garage and it is locked and you give the keys to an employee  of the shop or use the key drop off provided by the shop(if they have one) then the shop assumes some responsability for the car.If the car is stolen the shop will have to prove it did everything reasonally possible to prevent theft and or damage to a car

If repairs are made and the vehicle is parked with the keys left in it and the car is stolen,the shop is responsible

If there is a bunch of broken glass where the car was then mabye not as much,many factors come into play. Did the shop provide a safe well lit lot to leave the car?Did the shop even know the car was there?

From personal experiance;I worked at a company with three service stations and a towing company.

A customer "dropped off" a 4 year old chevy the night before for an oil change,filled out a key envelope,placed a set of keys in it and dropped it in the slot.

The next day the car is gone and some broken glass is in the spot where the car was

We call the number for the set of keys we have no car for and the person is going off with threats to sue.

all said and done we were about to go to court to fight their insurance company(they paid the claim and were coming after us for damages)when our tow company gets a call from a man who wants to tow a car (the same make model and year as the stolen car) he bought to his house,

The car had to be towed because it had no papers or title and was sold to him as a "parts car"The driver called in the VIN to the dispatch and they checked it against the police report and the police were promptly called

Answer 7

Yes, they are responsible because it's on their property.

Answer 8

they should be fully insured against theft.if they say they wont pay its because they dont want to claim on their policy or they dont have the adequit insurance.either way they should be responible for your car.id see a solicitor first to find out my rights before confronting them.

Answer 9

most definitely they are responsible

Answer 10

Yes

Answer 11

Yes they are responsible.  Just because they have a sign posted that says they are not responsible in no way relieves them of that responsibility.  If they have insurance, their insurance will pay.  If they have no insurance, they will have to pay.

Answer 12

Nope. unless both parties have an agreement about the location of the vehicle and if they are responsible if thier vehicle gets stolen. Seen someones audio eqipument get stolen while sitting outside of a garage and was denied payment in court. the party has to prove that thier was  neglegiance on the Auto Repair shop's side.

Answer 13

Well they usually leave your keys in it.  Does the shop have your keys or did those magically disappear?  If they left your keys in it then yes they are liable.

Answer 14

Nope.