Things I've learned from having my truck stolen...

STx · Jul 20, 2015

My ordeal isn't over yet but here are some helpful hints for the rest of you should you be unlucky enough to have this happen.

1 - If your truck is heavily modified or customized, talk to your agent about an agreed value policy instead of an actual cash value policy.

2 - If it isn't "permanently installed," it won't be covered. I'm not sure exactly what "permanently installed" means though, since a radio would probably be considered so although it can be removed in less than 5 minutes. Any contents you might have (cash, keys, etc.) will most definitely not be replaced.

3 - If you don't get an agreed value policy, save EVERY RECEIPT for anything you add to the truck.

4 - If the insurance company decides to total it out, you will most likely not be able to owner-retain the vehicle and continue your claim, you're going to have to surrender it. In some cases that might be fine but if you're attached to a truck and feel it can be repaired, your choices are going to be to do it on your own dime or to give it up and get something else.

I think mine is repairable, the door locks are popped, the stereo, speakers and amp are gone, the hood bug deflector is gone and the steering column lock is broken. Visually, it isn't bad but they did leave a lot of trash/crap in the truck and it's going to need to be detailed. Hopefully, the adjuster will agree with me and I can get my truck fixed and back on the road.

I'll update this post as I learn more tidbits.

Code54 · Jul 20, 2015

Sorry to hear about that - I hate thieves!
Basically insurance is a scam - pay to have it, fight to use it, then when you need it you have to pay more because you became a "risk"... go figure

aczlan · Jul 20, 2015

I must have gotten lucky, I had someone go off the road a few years back and hit my uninsured parked car (was for sale, the buyer was supposed to come that night to pay for it). Was a '93 Volvo with 170k miles on the clock. I had it "sold" for $1400. The bumper skin was messed up, the nose of the hood was dinged up and the grill was in many small pieces.

The ins co paid $2800 for it and I kept the car with a clear title and it ended up going to my brother, my sister and back to the same brother (he is still driving it and its up to about 240k miles).

Aaron Z

STx · Jul 20, 2015

They'll let you keep them when they're totaled from just about any claim other than theft. For some reason, if it's a theft claim, they want it.

aczlan · Jul 20, 2015

STx said:
They'll let you keep them when they're totaled from just about any claim other than theft. For some reason, if it's a theft claim, they want it.

Ah. I am sure there is some reason for it that makes perfect sense to the ins co.

Aaron Z

Garandman · Jul 20, 2015

A kid found the valet key and tried to steal my WRX. And he would have gotten away with it - if he knew how to drive a standard, which he did not. I made the mistake of running around the front of the car instead of the back so he just barely got away. I got in the car and went looking for him - fail.