What happens if my car was being repaired and was stolen from the repair shop?

Question

The car was in great running condition. The door was having to be replaced. Does the insurance pay for what the car is worth wrecked or what the car was going to be worth repaired?

Answer 1

You get paid for what the car was worth at the time it was taken. That means there will be a deduction for the prior damage.

A total theft is handled the same as a total loss. That means, you are owed the Actual Cash Value of the car. (also known as fair market value). That means what you could have sold the car for given its age, mileage, options and condition. The unrepaired damage reduces the vehicles value.

Had you chosen to sell the car with the damage - you would have had to taken the value of the car and subtracted the amount to fix the door. That's the car's fair market value.

You could not have told a potential buyer-- "The car will be worth 5000 once the door is fixed --so even though the door is not fixed -I'll sell it to you for 5000 and then you can pay on top of that to get the door fixed. So you will end up paying more than the repaired car is worth".

Now - since you did not have insurance on your car - no payment there.

Just because the car was at the shop when stolen - does not guarantee their garage liability policy will pay you. It all depends on the language in their policy and if the shop was negligent. Did they do something (or not do something) that caused the theft.

You will have to speak to the insurance adjuster for the shops insurance company to find out more.  

Answer 2

You are entitled to full value of the car. Your insurance may offer you a lower amount. Don't accept it. Look up the value on NADA, Edmunds and Kelly. Be prepared!! Your insurnace company may then go after the repair shop, but that's their problem. Don't let anyone talk you into going after the repair shop yourself, you are paying your insurance company for protection and assistance. Good luck.

Answer 3

That would depend on your policy, and that of the shop it was stolen from.  If the shop left the keys in it against your express instructions, that may have bearing also.  (I always put in writing to NOT leave the keys in the car.  Just in case.)

Answer 4

The repair shop would have to pay for the car, what ever the blue book valued it at, if not the insurance will cover it.

Answer 5

1 the shop has insurance

2 sue them

Answer 6

If you have in force vehicle theft insurance, then you are covered to the limits of the policy. That does not mean full market or replacement value. Read your policy or, ask your agent.

If you do not have insurance in force, your only option is to sue the shop. Without an in force policy, you have no insurance company representation available.

If you look around the repair shop, in a common area, usually a waiting room, you will most likely see a disclaimer sign. We've all seen them. "We are not responsible for, fire, theft, the San Francisco Earthquake or the Great Biblical Flood." Now you know why that sign is there.

Your saving grace may be what you added. The shop is responsible for "reasonable care and custody". They don't need a big dog or a security camera, but, if broken into twice in a short period of time, does not sound like much care and custody.

Consult an attorney.

Answer 7

I've gone through the similiar thing -- still a little bit painful,here is the resource help me out.http://car-insurance.easyideas4u.info/ca...

Answer 8

You will be well compensated for, as long as you have insurance. The garage has to have insurance so you really have nothing to worry about.  They may wait awhile and see if the car shows up.  

Answer 9

Probably what it was worth wrecked since you were already paid for the prior damage.