Stolen car- a strange story and some questions...

Squish · 28-09-2012, 08:11 PM

Hi guys,
As the thread title suggests I had my 2010 XR6 stolen Thursday morning.

The story goes that I was in bed at about 3am, and heard a massive bang outside, went to investigate and found a commodore wrapped around the gum tree out the front. And let me tell you, the tree always wins. I went up to see what had happened and found four people on the grass, one seriously hurt. I took them to hospital, and by the sounds of things saved a life.

The two injured people (the guy and one girl), were transferred to another hospital. The partner of the girl went with her. That left one young guy. I asked how he'd get home and he said he didn't know. So I offered him a lift which he gratefully accepted. On the way I had to stop for fuel. After putting a full tank ($100 worth) in the car I went in and payed. I walked out of the servo to find my car gone. A bloke filling up told me my passenger had moved to the drivers seat and taken off. Last thing I saw was a glimpse of my pride and joy speeding down the highway.

I called the police, gave a statement etc etc and they found the car this afternoon. The guy has been charged. The report they gave me on the condition is vague at best. They asked if I'd prefer to pick it up so it wasn't locked up in the holding yard over the long weekend. Which means its still sitting in the street about an hour from home. I'll be going to pick it up after work tonight.

Now for my questions:
As I said I have no idea the condition the car will be in. I've looked up what kind of damage constitutes a write off, and can't find any specifics for NSW. What should I be looking for? And if I find serious damage should I call the police and the insurance company before I move it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben.

Dr Smith · 28-09-2012, 08:26 PM

I thought a write-off is based on cost of repair relative to value of the car as set by the insurer. Not sure the degree of damage is a consideration as say the actually damage is minor however the replacement components are hugely expensive or labour excessive then the insurer would consider paying you out and selling off the damaged vehicle.

I take it you filled with 98ron...wonder what your insurer will think about leaving the keys in the car with a stranger....the p*%k.

svo supporter · 28-09-2012, 08:41 PM

A car is considered a write off if the repair costs out weigh the value of the car.

The only way to determine if it is a write off is when a crash repairer looks at it....it might have structural damage which you may not pick up on....

Best wait until you get it back and a crash repairer looks at it before going much further.

Nic302ef · 28-09-2012, 08:50 PM

Wont matter about keys in the car and running, had a similer situation and as long as no.permission was given for them to use the car you will be ok.

a write off tends to be more then half of the total cost/market value of the car to repair. i know with ours based on 24k they said if repairs came to more then 12k it would be written off.

Sprint · 28-09-2012, 08:53 PM

the commodore was obviously stolen then crashed and you aided criminals to get away lol

why did you not ring a ambulance if it was life threatening?or police for the car in the tree?

something in this story is wrong.

bangm001 · 28-09-2012, 08:55 PM

Pretty sad really. Were they drunk or revving or something else at the time?
Surely noone in their right mind would do such a thing??

Squish · 28-09-2012, 08:57 PM

Thanks guys. I was looking it up and couldn't find anything concrete online. The most helpful site was actually Tasmanian which gave specific types of damage that incur a statutory write off. But alas the laws are different there.

More importantly should I be calling someone when I get it (mainly so they can't try and blame any damage on me), if there is any?
The police did tell me to hurry as its parked in a bad area and is likely to be stolen again or set on fire if I don't get it. But I can't get there any sooner.

I still can't believe someone who I went so far out of my way to help screwed me over like that. I didn't even think to take the keys with me (normally when I have a passenger I know them and it's habit to leave the radio on for them). The insurance company knows I left the keys in there but after hearing my whole story said it shouldn't affect my claim.

Thanks again.

Jim Goose · 28-09-2012, 08:58 PM

A silly question... a car crashes.... you dont call police? and you dont call for an ambulance?

And you drive the injured people to hospital?? Seriously????????

Then you say your car gets stolen??? Do you think your insurance company wont be asking you a few questions?

OffRoadFalcon · 28-09-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprint

the commodore was obviously stolen then crashed and you aided criminals to get away lol

why did you not ring a ambulance if it was life threatening?or police for the car in the tree?

something in this story is wrong.

Possible but sometimes in such situations people aren't thinking straight.

To the OP, for future, I suggest you NEVER leave the keys in the car when you leave it! I take the keys every single time I leave the car.
Hope the damage isn't too bad...

Sprint · 28-09-2012, 09:00 PM

you left you keys in a car at servo? even worse with a stranger in it!.

anyway bit late for what if's.

Squish · 28-09-2012, 09:07 PM

@ Sprint,
Apparently their car was not stolen. But the driver was unlicenced. He was not the one who stole my car. He went to hospital with the girl.

I considered calling an ambulance but in my area at that time of night the ambulances come from around 30km away and I was 5km from a hospital. The kid was quite bad and I have a fair amount of first aid experience. It was much quicker to take them myself. And the hospital staff told me it was the right thing to do, and that the injured kid may well have not made it if I hadn't been there. The police met us at the hospital. That's how they had the guys details and arrested him fairly quickly.

Jim Goose · 28-09-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

Possible but sometimes in such situations people aren't thinking straight.

To the OP, for future, I suggest you NEVER leave the keys in the car when you leave it! I take the keys every single time I leave the car.
Hope the damage isn't too bad...

Wouldnt the better advice be... in future call police and ambulance when you see an accident?

xisled · 28-09-2012, 09:09 PM

Call your insurance company make a theft claim. They will then arrange a truck to pick it up. I would suggest not to touch it. If you drive the car and it causes more damage you will not be covered for the extra damage. The car may have mechanical damage you can not see.

The insurance company will pick the car up and take it away, they will do 3 test, mechanical damage and panel damage. The last test is a sharps test, basically get someone in to test for used needles and such. The last thing you want is to get int the car and get stick by a used needle.

If after all the tests are done and everything comes back clear you will be up for the tow cost.

I worked in insurance claims 5 years, this would be what I suggest.

Smoke Pursuit · 28-09-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xisled

Call your insurance company make a theft claim. They will then arrange a truck to pick it up. I would suggest not to touch it. If you drive the car and it causes more damage you will not be covered for the extra damage. The csr may gave mechanical damage you can not see.

The insurance company will pick the car up and take it away, they will do 3 test, mechanical damage and panel damage. The last test is a sharps test, basically get someone in to test for used needles and such. The last thing you want is to get int the car and get stick by a used needle.

If after all the tests are done and everything comes back clear you will be up for the tow cost.

I worked in insurance claims 5 years, this would be what I suggest.

Great post!

TheInterceptor · 28-09-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squish

I still can't believe someone who I went so far out of my way to help screwed me over like that.

Cant you? You mustn't be from the city then.

Hope your car is in the same condition as you last saw it!

Squish · 28-09-2012, 09:12 PM

Why all the flaming? My first though certainly wasn't "these guys looks dodgy I shouldn't help them". My first reflex was to do exactly what I needed to make sure another life wasn't wasted on the road. I saw a group of scared, panicking teenagers and did all I could to help. If that makes me a bad person then fine.

I admit I shouldn't have left the keys in the car, but that doesn't mean I deserved to have it stolen does it? And I was already taking the guy home, there was no logic that said he should do what he did.

Hayden1 · 28-09-2012, 09:16 PM

I seriously can't believe someone could do that to you, after you go to all the trouble to help them. You did nothing wrong, of course if you didn't leave your keys in the car the guy wouldn't have done what he did, but at the same time it may have made him to do something worse, but like what Sprint said - too late for what if's.
edit,
Sorry about everyone saying you should have done this, or why didn't you do this. You did everything right in my mind and the only thing you should be worrying about is getting your car back and sorting it out from there.

Squish · 28-09-2012, 09:16 PM

@xisled thanks. The insurance company is aware that it was stolen and of all the details. I'll call them before I go to have a look and see what course of action they want me to take.

@ the interceptor, no I'm not from the city. If I were in the city an ambulance might have been there.

TheInterceptor · 28-09-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squish

Why all the flaming? My first though certainly wasn't "these guys looks dodgy I shouldn't help them". My first reflex was to do exactly what I needed to make sure another life wasn't wasted on the road. I saw a group of scared, panicking teenagers and did all I could to help. If that makes me a bad person then fine.

I admit I shouldn't have left the keys in the car, but that doesn't mean I deserved to have it stolen does it? And I was already taking the guy home, there was no logic that said he should do what he did.

I passed a Commodore today who was having car troubles, they looked dodgy, so i kept going. I have stopped in the past before, but no way in some situations. By the sounds of it you did the right thing but you say they were teenagers. I wouldnt have blinked twice at them if i was you!

Well done for helping! But unfortunatly the world is full of scum and this is just what happens! Im really not surprised.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squish

@ the interceptor, no I'm not from the city. If I were in the city an ambulance might have been there.

Welcome to the city sir.

KIWI-1 · 28-09-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squish

Why all the flaming? My first though certainly wasn't "these guys looks dodgy I shouldn't help them". My first reflex was to do exactly what I needed to make sure another life wasn't wasted on the road. I saw a group of scared, panicking teenagers and did all I could to help. If that makes me a bad person then fine.

The sad thing is in this world you are a ******** for stopping to help.
That's why so many people don't see or do anything anymore.

Sprint · 28-09-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squish

@ Sprint,
Apparently their car was not stolen. But the driver was unlicenced. He was not the one who stole my car. He went to hospital with the girl.

I considered calling an ambulance but in my area at that time of night the ambulances come from around 30km away and I was 5km from a hospital. The kid was quite bad and I have a fair amount of first aid experience. It was much quicker to take them myself. And the hospital staff told me it was the right thing to do, and that the injured kid may well have not made it if I hadn't been there. The police met us at the hospital. That's how they had the guys details and arrested him fairly quickly.

Its not you fault for being kind, its the worlds fault for giving birth to little crims.

from a medical point of view,side roll them and wait for ambos if they are breathing,could be back injuries or in shock if you move them.

the world needs more kind people but im too aware of schemers

Ford_The_Win · 28-09-2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

I passed a Commodore today who was having car troubles, they looked dodgy, so i kept going. I have stopped in the past before, but no way in some situations. By the sounds of it you did the right thing but you say they were teenagers. I wouldnt have blinked twice at them if i was you!

Well done for helping! But unfortunatly the world is full of scum and this is just what happens! Im really not surprised.

My sentiments exactly. I almost never stop for people because I don't want to get involved in whatever dramas they have going on. Maybe if it's an oldie or a mum with kids I might stop, but I figure if they haven't got RACV roadside assistance or a mobile then they are probably a bit suss.

Itsme · 28-09-2012, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squish

Why all the flaming? My first though certainly wasn't "these guys looks dodgy I shouldn't help them". My first reflex was to do exactly what I needed to make sure another life wasn't wasted on the road. I saw a group of scared, panicking teenagers and did all I could to help. If that makes me a bad person then fine.

I admit I shouldn't have left the keys in the car, but that doesn't mean I deserved to have it stolen does it? And I was already taking the guy home, there was no logic that said he should do what he did.

It is so easy for others to have criticism after the fact.....just ignore them.

I would have done the same as you in helping, ring your insurance for advise since the police have a report on your car.

You should be right & best of luck with the car.

Geez Louise · 28-09-2012, 09:42 PM

Honestly, who would think or indeed expect the people that you have helped, would THEN turn around and steal your car?? Not me! That thought would never cross my mind.

Sorry that your good deed has had such a bad ending. I hope your car gets fixed.

Good on you for having a kind heart and helping someone in need. I hope this experience does not tarnish you helping again should you need to in the future.

Cheers
Col

Bucknaked · 28-09-2012, 09:47 PM

Despite all the experts advice all in this thread, you made a decision to assist an injured person, as said by the medical staff, your actions has saved that persons life, you have to be commended for doing your best to help someone in desperate need of help. Well done. Sorry to hear about your car, I hope it works out for you. No matter how hard you try to help people in this world, your always going to come across the selfish bastards who will at any opportunity to take advantage of peoples good will. It's a shame.

MITCHAY · 28-09-2012, 09:51 PM

The thanks you get for helping people out who had been doing the wrong thing to begin with. Plenty would of just waited for an ambo and/or cops and as you said 30km vs 5km is not an option.

Hopefully the car is fine or they give you another. I wouldn't want something to rear its ugly head later on because of it.

XARATE · 28-09-2012, 10:02 PM

Mate call a tow truck to pick up your car ASAP, the insurance company will pay for it

GTP534 · 28-09-2012, 10:21 PM

It's 3am in the morning and you spontaneously help people and yet your motives are questioned on here? I think your conscience should be very clear, good on you for helping people.

You're not responsible for the actions of others. I hope all is right with your car and maybe some good will come out of this for you.

b2tf · 28-09-2012, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP534

It's 3am in the morning and you spontaneously help people and yet your motives are questioned on here? I think your conscience should be very clear, good on you for helping people.

You're not responsible for the actions of others. I hope all is right with your car and maybe some good will come out of this for you.

Exactly. Some of the posts here make me glad you guys dont live anywhere near me.

Sprint · 28-09-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP534

It's 3am in the morning and you spontaneously help people and yet your motives are questioned on here?

you see that and i agree, but i also see 3am drunk hoon or stolen car also for a 3am tree drive by.

I mean c'mon.

Then again life is more important.

You didnt do the wrong thing morally, even crims need first aid.