Criminal damage – Insurance or claim direct?

adchesney

This is my first post for a while…but am seeking some help.


On Sunday 2nd October two local yobs stole my son’s motorcycle from our garage in front garden. They broke the steering lock, etc and were 48 hours later caught by the local police riding the motorcycle under false number plates. On Friday 7th Oct, I collected the scooter from the police pound an paid the £150 release fee and the scooter is an economical write-off. My son had this scooter from new 11months ago (Circa £1400) and was in immaculate condition…and within 48 hours it was trashed!


I really do not want to claim on insurance as this is my son’s first year on insurance as he is an apprentice earning about £100/week the subsequent years’ insurance will be unaffordable. Furthermore, he has £250 excess and we have already paid £150 to recover the scooter...all this through no fault of his!


My question is as the police have found the yobs who stole the motorcycle; surely THEY should pay restitution as they were caught “red-handed”. What’s your thought on how I should proceed?


BTW, I do not know the names/address/status/age of the yobs!



ADC (Yateley, Hampshire)

Quentin

Unless you know the yobs names and addresses then you cannot pursue them for any money they owe.

But their status may be the biggest problem! Do they have any money to pay you even if you are successful in getting their details and a judgement against them for the money?