HELP!!! car stolen/recovered and I need to sell!!

[nkv8945]

My 97 VW cabio was stolen and found 22 days later abandoned. Unfortunatly I had just done ALOT of work on the car because I was getting ready to sell. Some of the work included: new ignition switch, new convertible top, new timing belt, new brake pads, new clutch and new cd player. Obviously I have spent a great deal of money on the car. But now (after it was stolen) the value is not worth all the money I have put into the car. And not selling my car is not an option. How do I make back the lost value of my car??? Any ideas, help, anything, now I am broke and have a car that I can't sell!!!!!!!!! Please Help

[MagicRat]

This will be part of your insurance claim.

Your insurance company has an obligation to restore your car to the same condition as it was before it was stolen.

Take it to the best possible body shop and repair facility you can find. They should go through the car very carefully to asses all damaged or missing components, including body and mechanical damage. Repair of all this will be part of your theft claim.

The insurance company has an obligation to perform these repairs. Round up all your invoices for all the work and partsd you have done to your car, including for stereos, wheels&tires, (which may be missing) and for maitenance, too. All this will support your claim the car is as valuable as you say. Any photographs you have will help, too.

Although you may think your car is now ruined, or no good, often cars end up being in BETTER shape after the theft repairs because of all the new parts and servicing they receive, courtesy of your insurer.

Note you may or may not have to pay a deductible on the repairs. It depends on your policy. If you have no insurance, or no theft coverage, you may be out of luck, here.

[nkv8945]

thank you so much for your help!!! my insurance paid for some items but not everything. For example, the clutch was so bad after it was found it was (basically) undrivable. My insurance company said they would pay for 25% b/c of normal wear and tear. and with my 500 deductable those expenses added up!
If I am selling the car should I disclose it was stolen? You are right the car is now in excellent condition, i'm just scared that it will be very difficult to sell a car that has been stolen. Thanks again.

[MagicRat]

That clutch arrangement seems a little unusual. If you had just had the clutch replaced before the theft, and you have the repair invoice to prove, the insur. co. cannot reasonably claim that much wear and tear in a short period of time. The insurance co should pay the entire clutch repair, not just a portion.

IMO take this up with the insurance company. Complain to your broker if you have one. Make some noise and write a letter to demand more $$$ for the clutch. IMO you have a good claim. They may have no obligation to give it to you,(read your policy) but if you have been a good customer, they might cut you a better deal.
remember the 'squeaky wheel gets the grease'.

When you sell the car, you do not have to disclose the theft unless the customer asks. In this case, the fact it was stolen is immaterial to the value of the car.
The fact that damage was done IS relevant to the value. In turn, the fact that so much repair work was just done should increase the value compared with an ordinary 8 year old car.

The theft issue should not affect the value, so long as it's been properly repaired. Likely the car was only driven by the thieves for a very short peopid of time before it was parked. No one wants to get caught with a stolen car, so the exposure to abuse was quite short. Any reasonable customer would understand this.

Also, you can emphasise all the recent work etc. Likely many of the repairs will have some kind of guarentee with them so the buyer will have some recourse if there are future problems in those areas.

Good luck.

[nkv8945]

thanks again, I feel better about this situation. I will contact the insurance adjuster asap. Seems I should be more vocal about these concerns with the insur. company. thanks