Pictures and opinions

[JWA]

Originally Posted by daveb

Even in a secured outside lot you might not be covered for damage. I didn't read the fine print and had a dealership leave my van outside when I specifically asked that it never be put outside (even in a locked area) during the repairs. It was trashed and they refused to pay for any damages. I was surprised to find many dealerships may not cover damage inside any of their areas including inside their shop. The dealership who did this was going out of business so it probably made a difference. Just check.

When I owned my body shop several cars and a boat left outside were vandalized and I was responsible for the damages IF the vehicle's insurance coverage did not. Apart from the boat and even though I did have signed authorization to perform needed repairs in most instances the damages were covered by the vehicle owners insurance.

Liability laws may have changed but if a repair outfit has custody and control of your vehicle they're technically responsible for its proper care and protection.

I'm NOT an attorney but clarification of something like this need to be discussed BEFORE leaving your own vehicle in any shop regardless where they say it will be stored during repairs.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by JWA

When I owned my body shop several cars and a boat left outside were vandalized and I was responsible for the damages IF the vehicle's insurance coverage did not. Apart from the boat and even though I did have signed authorization to perform needed repairs in most instances the damages were covered by the vehicle owners insurance.

Liability laws may have changed but if a repair outfit has custody and control of your vehicle they're technically responsible for its proper care and protection.

I'm NOT an attorney but clarification of something like this need to be discussed BEFORE leaving your own vehicle in any shop regardless where they say it will be stored during repairs.

Well I would have probably had to get in line cause they (Freedom Ford of Fresno) were going out of business and never let it leak out. I didn't know they didn't have insurance for their customers. My van was in for the bed plate gasket under warranty. When I told SMBW about it, they pulled several Vans out of there that were also being warranty serviced at that dealership. Freedom even refused to pay my 500 deductible. The incident was taken to the Ford motor company and I was told that there wasn't much I could do. So I let my insurance company try to resolve it and they opted to just paid the bill for the repairs. I still got stuck for the 500. Thankfully my insurance didn't go up. But I also found a few dealerships in my local area do not cover theft in their outside lot. When pushed to wanting proof that I'm covered at their facility in writing, I got some surprising answers.

[rt66paul]

Don't be so sure. My truck was stolen and used as for the theft of tools in the shop, while in a body shop for repairs. I was SOL when I tried to go after the body shop's insurance, They said that as long as the shop put it in a "safe" place, they did all they were required to do.
Luckily, my truck was found 6 weeks later and the body shop owner fixed everything, but he wasn't required to do so by law.
Leaving it on the street was wrong and he should be liable, locking it in a fenced compound gets them out liability.