Car Stolen

Shoshannah

My pride and joy was stolen on Friday night. The private residential car park is behind the block of flats where I live and my flat is on the front, so I didn't realise she was gone until this morning! Have scoured the local streets for seven hours today and there is no sign of the car.

Car is insured TPF&T with Tesco. I called them today and was told that a member of the Theft team would get back to me within 48 hours (but probably longer as Bank Holiday). So I am left in limbo a bit until I can talk to them.

Does anyone know how long insurance companies wait before they agree to pay out on a stolen car?

There were no valuables in the car (just items of sentimental value), with the exception of my glasses, which were in the glovebox and worth approx £200. Looking at my policy guide I doubt Tesco will pay out for the contents of the car, but have yet to check my Contents insurance (with Endsleigh). I am doubtful that they will cover the contents of a car - does anyone have any experience of this?

Really want the car back, but I'm not hopeful.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

How if it was only today you noticed could you know it was stolen on friday night?

FlameCloud

Variety of means, for example a CCTV system, and they mentioned that it was a private car park which may use a electronic swipe in/out system.

llh189

I sympathise. 10 days ago!

I contacted my insurance company on the Friday - they called me back on the Monday, took a statement and said they would post the forms for me to sign asap.

No forms before the weekend, will wait to see what the post bring tomorrow. They did call me on Thursday to talk about a settlement, without prejudice! I have no idea what that means.

The guy on the phone who called to talk about my offer said that once they receive the paperwork back, it could be up to two weeks before the resolve it any further.

I am lucky enough to be able to borrow a car from work, as my insurance company have been no help with that, if they do payout it looks like from beginning to end the process could take over 4 weeks.

HTH

dacouch

It depends on the Insurers how they deal with the claim, some companies wait a set amount of time to allow the car to turn up, this is commonly 4 weeks. Some companies will start the process of valuing the car and paying out straight away depending on the value of the car and circumstances.

You need to get all of the vehicle documents together along with all of the keys as they will want to know how many sets of keys you have physically got at the moment.

In a way I hope there is no cctv footage as I have known companied wait until the police release the footage before they sign the claim off and that can sometimes take ages and ages

Shoshannah

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Flame Cloud - if only we had CCTV or a swipe system, sadly we have neither!

LinasPilibaitisisbatman - the carpark is at the back of our block of flats. After parking the car on Friday evening, I did not go out anywhere on Saturday. My flat is on the front, so I could not see whether or not the car was missing until I went out to get the car early on Sunday morning and it was gone. The space I had been parked in on Friday was now occupied by another car, a Mini. I guess there is a chance that the car was stolen during the day on Saturday (unlikely I feel) or late on Saturday evening, and that the Mini turned up at afterwards to take the empty space... I just thought that was less likely. Neighbours on the other side of the block heard a car trying to start at 2am on Saturday morning, which also fits in - hotwiring attempts etc. So in short, I can't prove it, but I strongly suspect it was taken on Friday night/early hours Saturday morning.

llh189 - sorry to hear that your car was also stolen, good luck with the claim! I am carless until they pay out as I have no money on standby to buy another car... I don't wish to use my savings as I may need those for something more important. It is frustrating as I am applying for jobs at the moment and will have to attend interviews using public transport...oh well, worse could happen.

dacouch - thanks for the advice. I really hope it isn't 4 weeks... but it seems likely from what you say. I have all the documents kept together. It is really frustrating as although the car was old it was easily the most cared-for and loved car in the carpark that night, why'd they take it? :mad: It was due for a service next week, luckily I hadn't bought all the bits yet. :rotfl:


The police did door-to-door last night and told me that I would be contacted by the officers in charge of the case shortly. I forgot to ask how shortly... I need to make my daily phone call to the police station later so I can ask then.

Thanks again everyone.

dogbot

You asked about cover for contents in the car. If you have personal posessions cover with your home contents insurance they usual items are covered in a locked vehicle up to about £1,000. Some exclude cover though.

The wording will be very clear so dig out the policy and have a quick read.

Shoshannah

dogbot wrote: »

You asked about cover for contents in the car. If you have personal posessions cover with your home contents insurance they usual items are covered in a locked vehicle up to about £1,000. Some exclude cover though.

The wording will be very clear so dig out the policy and have a quick read.

Oh yes, forgot about that - I did have a look the other night and unfortunately possessions in any motor vehicle are not covered.

Thanks though dogbot!