My Truck Was Stolen... Anything I Need To Know?

That's what I am trying to tell myself... Still may consider shopping for a new company. They weren't exactly nice about it and the once guy I talked to was a little weird with me instead of being impartial.

 

Yup!

And I acknowledge that I may be a little emotional about the matter... But this is very personal to me. Something I am sure a lot of car owners don't understand.

 

I'm hoping this rollercoaster of shit gets you something badass in the end so you can look back and say

"hey thieves"





"Cuz I got better shit now"!!!!

 

I just had a nice laugh out loud moment, thank you!!!!

 

USAA has NO affiliation with the services. It is just a marketing scam and they kinda suck. Almost any good insurance will cover permanently installed aftermarket accessories(upgrades like suspension, bumpers, bigger wheels/tires, hell even lockers) if you add declared value of the vehicle and keep receipts. The parts will depreciate just like the truck, but at least they will have some coverage over just the declared value of the truck alone. Fuck'em for even mentioning you are being "investigated"

 

How is this going, does the insurance company still think you're somehow responsible ? Just curious.

 

I know this is a little late, but usually if you can prove the purchase of the items you purchased for your truck, the insurance will give you half the retail cost. As far as stealing goes the best bet is to pull the ignition fuse off. That way no matter what the thieves do unless they have the specific fuse or relay they're SOL. Just don't let to many people see you doing it or seeing what specific fuse you pull because then you let them prepare. Most good thieves will scope you stuff out for one or two days. Shit sometimes they are people you know or recently met.

 

I happened to see this on an exotic car (doesn't matter what kind, you wouldn't believe me anyway ) a number of years ago. Repurpose a switch on the dash to cut power to the fuel pump or ignition. Have to hide the wiring to look as stock as possible. When it's time to start the truck, press the button (can't be a momentary switch) and then turn the key on. Best spot for secrecy, is on the left side of the steering wheel or driver's side door so that you prevent every passenger from knowing where your switch is. Also the GPS idea using a cell phone isn't a bad idea. You need an old phone with a low cost data plan (or freedom pop) and place the phone with a 12V charger inside somewhere (under the dash, seat, inside the center console, etc...). Works as a tracker for your teenager too...

 

Update as requested: Nit much to report. USAA investigator interviewed me Thursday. She said she still has more poking around to do and unofficially may be done with her part end of this week coming up. Not holding my breath. Until then I sit and wait.

Already have the repairs shop picked and everything ready to go once she returns my claim to workable status

 

I cannot believe they are actually investigating you for fraud. That is 100% BS! I was actually thinking of switching to USAA, maybe Ill just stay where Im at.

 

I have a had a few people tell me it's normal and not based on me. I am still mad about it. Seems very unreasonable...

 

It's definitely a WTF. Here's my story: Wife hits a deer with our 2000 Subie Outback, 265K on the odometer. The damages were 1600, I said that I would do the repairs myself. I replace the hood, grill, headlights (fogged as hell), foglights/grills for 600+/- with some bending, prying, kicking and a lot of cursing. Within two weeks I get a letter from the insurance company that they're going to cancel our policy (auto/homeowner) if we don't provide proof immediately that the repairs were made. I sent them the receipts/photos a bit of a rant and promptly cancelled all coverage as soon as we sold the house. It's the bean-counters looking at the bottom line driving this. Everything is online an immediately available and you're guilty until YOU prove yourself innocent. They're not in the business of paying out, only receiving those premiums, ON TIME!

 

I didn't post before, but thank you for the time you spent to share. Your story helped me!

 

So I have had continued problems with USAA and resolution. I will post an update below this but I have made a final decision no mater what the outcome. I have been pretty upset over the last couple days about this. I have realized that beyond the disrespect USAA has shown me a lot of it has been focused around my emotional connection to my truck. I have been getting upset about a lot of these things and time lines and stuff like that because in my mind I was going to get my truck back. And I wanted it back in a hurry because well, I want my truck.

I am tired of being angry and stressed about it so I have made the final decision that no mater what, this is not my truck anymore. The investigator can take all the time she needs, the repair shop can take all the time they need, they can be as messed up as they are going to be. Because it's just a truck that used to be mine but no longer is. Once they get done doing whatever it is they are going to do and I get it back, I will be selling it and getting a new vehicle. It will never be the same, I will notice any little defects (a stain in a seat, a weird smell, whatever) and it will drive me crazy. If anything just the negative experience I have had with the truck will linger when I am in it. So it's gone, it's a done deal and I am moving on. I know a few have said it in here, but it just took me tome to make the realization on my own, haha. Time for good days and positive feelings! I will not post anymore updates on here for a while. Once I get resolution I will post that.

As for what is happening now. I am on day 10 of being investigated. I did the 1 hr long interview, I submitted my keys and all the pics and info I had. They requested copies of my phone records during the time period and I gave them those. They are waiting for a call transcripts from my conversations with the police dispatch that will take another 8-10 days to receive. From my understanding they are not finding any ways as to how they stole my truck so they are throwing shit at the wall to see if anything sticks. It has made me angry because I know I was not involved in the desecration of my prized possession, but they are doing what they do... My hope is that I will see resolution by next week but they have continued to let me down. Every time I talk to the investigator she words things in a way to imply I am at fault or that I am a suspect without saying the words. She is obviously trying to intimidate me and rattle my cage. I could see how this would be effective to a guilty party, but just make an innocent party like myself more angry. Oh well... what else can I do.

 

I know that exact same feeling. Even if they find it you won't want to touch it. I hated that thought and feeling.

It's really weird USAA is pressing the theft issue. But it sounds more like your local PD not wanting to admit there is crime in their departments coverage.

 

APD took a police report, and evidence. They didn't get any prints and are not going to process the DNA evidence they got. They are admitting the crime and have filed a full report. They just aren't perusing it any further. There are 4 auto theft detectives for Albuquerque and they don't have enough evidence for a conviction, so they call it a wash.

The USAA investigator says she will continue to pursue her investigation until all leads are exhausted. Her job is to try and figure out how the truck was stolen so she will keep looking into it until she finds out what happened or there is nothing left to investigate. She hasn't found an answer yet so she is just working on whatever else she can look into in order to say she did her full due diligence. The fact that she is looking at call records from me saying my truck is stolen to the cops tells me they don't have a lot left to go off of and are trying to close all the loops. That's my uneducated opinion...

 

Wow that really sucks, hope they finish barking up your tree and fix the truck already.

 

Just saw this thread and did a little looking on the internet about insurance investigations of car theft, and thought this article might be helpful. I'm guessing you don't want to go the way of a lawyer but sometimes you don't get a choice. Sorry you have to go through this.

All insurance companies investigate a loss due to theft. As consumers, we expect it and cooperate as best we can. However, when does an insurance company's investigation go too far and start to become bad faith?

Consider this…

A policyholder had his car stolen. It was eventually recovered, but had been in an accident. The policyholder, who didn't have rental insurance, just wanted his car fixed or declared a total loss so that he could stop paying for the rental. He cooperated with his insurer, but couldn't seem to get any answers.

Instead, they began asking him for personal information – very personal information – such as credit card statements, mortgage information, cell phone records and proof of income. This begs the question…

How much information do you have to give your insurer?

According to Bob Scott, an attorney with The Advocate Law Group, "An insurance company owes its policyholders a duty of good faith and there can be serious consequences to the company for failure to act in good faith. As far as how much personal information you have to give the insurance company – you have a duty to cooperate with them reasonably and in good faith. Exactly what that means can vary all over the lot, but failure to cooperate is a basis for them to deny your claim."

In this case, the policyholder's insurer is likely investigating whether or not he was involved in the theft. However, we wonder what mortgage statements, credit card receipts and proof of income have to do with the matter. According to Scott, "This seems like bad faith right from the start. I cannot recall this type of aggressive claim response to a car theft. It is really outrageous."

When is it time to turn up the heat?

There comes a time in any claims process when you must turn up the heat to get the claim resolved – especially when you're being asked for very personal information. Scott continued, "When the process starts to go downhill, we suggest that policyholders stop dealing exclusively over the phone and start requesting written confirmation of any of the insurer's requests. Policyholders can also send letters to their adjusters and the President of the insurance company complaining about the delay. Phone calls often get ignored; letters are more likely to get attention. As always, you should be polite, persistent, but firm."

When to contact an attorney

There comes a time when you simply just can't get anywhere with your insurer. When that time comes, consider contacting an attorney whose practice focuses on insurance matters to advocate on your behalf. According to Scott, "If you should in ANY way be concerned that you might have something to worry about in terms of the claim – contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Indeed, if you have reason to believe that the insurance company is NOT acting in good faith, that's when you should speak to a lawyer immediately!"

If your insurance company is acting in bad faith, or you simply can't get them to act, contact an attorney who can help you.

 

This just sucks Chris, I'd be pissed to and can completely understand getting rid of the truck. I hope all of this is soon behind you.

 

I took the time to read in full the terms and conditions provided from my insurance. Accessories, performance upgrades or essentially anything added to the vehicle other than stock parts and components is covered up to 1k. Additional coverage for said modifications is required. That stated, stipulations are cumbersome even with the additional coverage. The process is a damn headache!

Remain optimistic and be diligent, things will work out for ya!