Stolen vehicle recovery advice

RG1889

Three weeks ago I had my car stloen following a burglary. I have been advised it has been recovered but the recovery firm can't as yet advise of its internal/external condition because of soco evidence.

Could I have some advice please on what actions I need to take?

The insurance company have not accepted the claim as the assessor's report has yet to arrive. Have advised them vehicle has been recovered on behalf of the police.

I am concerned at the condition of the car etc which was quite new under 3 years and low mileage and was immaculate. It may be fine but I am sure people can realize when you've cared for it and some lowlife nicks it that probably it will have loads of niggly damage (dints, underneath damage as driven off road to dump it, ciggy burns, damaged wheels/tyres etc, etc.) I may be lucky but would appreciate advice. Doesn't help that have little money as out of work to spend out on recovery charges, damage etc if insurer doesn't pick up the tab.

Should I also get an independent engineer to examine the vehicle to act for me as opposed to the insurers interest who will get their own engineers in anyway. Insurer and DVLA have all my documents as advised them vehicle stolen and sent everything to them including key.

Thanks.

lisyloo

I think you are jumping the gun a bit here.
Why don't you give your insurers a chance to assess it before assuming you are going to get bad service from them?

An assesor will be able to tell the difference between damage that occured in the last few weeks and damage over the last 3 years.

Insurers give both good and bad service, but why assume the worst when nothing has happened?
Chase them up by all means especially if you have time on your hands. You don't say when it was receovered, but it doesn't sound like you've even given your insurer a chance to look at the car.
Surely you don't expect them to come up with an answer without even seeing it??
It may be a write-off.
If you got a cash settlement then that might help you in your current out of work situation. You could potentially get an older/cheaper car and keep the rest.

cosmeticjunkie

This happened to me last year so I know how you feel. This is what happened in my case:

The car was taken by a recovery firm to a place in my local town. I was advised by them that the car had to stay there until the SOCOs had been to look at it, this took over a week in my case.

As soon as it was released my insurance company had it collected by one of their approved garages who then repaired the damage and resprayed etc. This took about 3 weeks but the garage gave me a curtesy car once they had collected the car from the recovery company.

When I finally got the car back it was still covered in fingerprint powder on the inside so needed a bit of a clean.

My insurance was fully comp.

My car was 18 months old when this happened but it's never felt the same again but maybe that's just me

RG1889

Thank you Lizzy. However I believe you are jumping the gun.

Having "trusted" insurance companies in the past I just want to make sure all my bases are covered. The police have been absolutely useless not interviewing witnesses and the car recovered 4 days ago still awaits SOCO. That element doesn't concern me, but knowing what the damage is does.

It is unlikely to be a write off as is probably worth c£8k trade but from what I have been told I reckon were in for £2-3k worth at least. The underneath has been badly damaged and the inside completely trashed.

All I wanted to know was how to protect me not protect "f" Aviva, who except for their claims assessor have been truly awful. Clearly their money goes on advertising not on customer care.

Having years ago I was done out of a claim by the AA because I was giving a guy a lift to work (not sdp hence AA wriggled out of it) and a marine insurance hassled over for 9 months despite engineers evidence contrary to the insurers engineer, I have every reason to be circumspect of insurers particular those insuring property. Frankly I think it is legalised robbery. Not because I don't want to pay the premium its just that their claims settlement and customer care is downright bl awful.

Since posting I have been advised of the iaea via the RAC and think I will contact them.

I fully expect the insurer to move the car but at the moment they have not accepted the claim hence it is me not them who would be liable for storage etc when plod finally releases the car. Given Aviva's downright shoddy service so far, I don't trust them an inch and your post just adds to my perception that I should not trust them either.

DCFC79

What shoddy service has aviva provided that you wasnt happy with,

Sponge

lisyloo wrote: »

...Insurers give both good and bad service, but why assume the worst when nothing has happened?...

Plan for the worst; hope for the best.