Car broken into while at a dealership for repair

Sticksy82

I was looking for a bit of advise. 

My car went to a car a big name dealership for repair. While in the compound my car was left open and was broken into overnight. 

In my car was cricket bag which included my cricket equipment and clothing. 

The police have recovered a couple of items. 

Where do I stand with the replacement of goods. 

The dealership have said that they will happily recover the few items that have been recovered. But won’t replace the other items. 

My thoughts is that they should be replacing everything. 

marlot

They're responsible if they've been negligent.

I'd have expected a dealer to lock vehicles overnight.

Was this compound open to the public?

Grumpy_chap

If the vehicle was left unlocked, whether in a "secure" compound or not, the dealer is responsible for their own negligence.

Options to resolve:
- agreement / complaints escalation
- insurance claim
- small claims

AdrianC

Why on earth did you leave valuable personal possessions in the car while it was at the dealership?

Was the car "left open", or was it "broken into"?

Can't you just claim it off your household contents insurance?

GadgetGuru

I always clear the car from all items when leaving at a dealership - even small change!!

Nevertheless, in this case I don't see why the OP should have to claim on his own insurance (car or home) and have a claim on his record as well as higher future premiums when the dealer should have been responsible for securing the vehicle while in their possession. 

The only issue is whether the dealer is responsible for items within the car as well as the car itself.......

daveyjp

AdrianC said:

Why on earth did you leave valuable personal possessions in the car while it was at the dealership?

Was the car "left open", or was it "broken into"?

Can't you just claim it off your household contents insurance?

Victim blaming doesn't help.

 The dealer have a duty of care for the car and anything in it.  Locking the car is a basic thing you do, not doing so is negligent so no way the owner should be considering their own insurance to cover the losses.

 If dealers want cars cleared they should state this when the booking is made.

AdrianC

I'm not victim blaming. It's just basic common sense.

Did the dealer leave it unlocked? If so, why was it "broken into", rather than a door simply opened?

Herzlos

AdrianC said:

Did the dealer leave it unlocked? If so, why was it "broken into", rather than a door simply opened?

That's just needless semantics though, isn't it? Items were stolen from the vehicle because the dealership didn't secure it properly. That no damage was done is irrelevant here - if the dealership had locked the car, the OP would still have their stuff.

JamoLew

I think what Adrian might be alluding to is (please correct me if I am wrong - which I am sure you will ):

IF the dealership left it open - then yes, they were negligent and should be responsible

However

IF it was locked, in a secure compound and still broken into - it could be argued that they weren't negligent and therefore aren't responsible

After all **** happens and some things aren't always as a result of negligence nor can they always have blame assigned

laidbackgjr

A number of dealerships I've used have stated that vehicle contents are not covered and should be removed before leaving the vehicle in their care - did the dealership state anything to this affect when you booked the car in?

[Deleted User]

AdrianC said:

I'm not victim blaming. It's just basic common sense.

Did the dealer leave it unlocked? If so, why was it "broken into", rather than a door simply opened?

Your comment saying he shouldn't have left the stuff in the car is literally what victim blaming is. Like saying women who get drunk and wear short skirts are at fault for being assaulted