Which is better? Stolen recovered or stolen?

aj3001

I am considering putting a tracker on my car, but then got thinking, if my car was stolen, would I get more or less of a payout from my insurance if it was found?

movilogo

Remember these points

1. Insurance company will always be better off - they'll always figure out way to pay you less than market value/damage of your car

2. Recovered cars are often in bad condition (unless you're very lucky)

Now think what is better for you.

firespire

If they recover your car I presume you don't have to go through all the arguments with the insurance company undervaluing your car and you can't find a similar replacement on the money they offer.

On the other side movilogo says the insurance company giving you less money than is required for a damaged car, I can't say I have that problem with my insurance company they give you a list of approve repairers & also accepted my preferred repairer who I had used before as it was an authorised centre by my car brand and the insurance company paid the invoice in full.

I know nothing about the condition of cars once they are stolen but I think it all depends on how it is stolen and for what purpose. Being broken in to and driven away by force would presumably be worse than if the keys were stole from the house or they used some clever technology to get in. How long since you realise it is stolen and report it to be tracked down is probably a factor. Some cars get stolen to be sold or exported and the condition is probably better than ones stolen to be Joy-ridden or used in another crime.

No option will make you better off than before the car was stolen I don't think.

mattymoo

Stolen not recovered - insurers will delay the settlement for around 6 weeks to see if the vehicle turns up.

Stolen and recovered (via Tracker) - repairs or negotiations to write the vehicle off if badly damaged can start straight away.