NO INSURANCE

[maya06]

My car was taken to a local Toyota dealership for repairs. The repairs were completed and I was told to go into the service center to get my receipt (the repairs were under warranty). I saw the technician pull my car to the front of the service area as I went to get the receipt. Normally they take the key to the service center and you get them once you get your receipt. They didn't give me the keys once I got my receipt and the lady tells me that the technician has them. I step out to go the car and the car is gone. It is deemed after several trips around the car lot that the car has been stolen. My insurance expired three weeks before this incident. The car was recovered several days later at another dealership. Toyota tells me to have my insurance company contact them re: damages and reimbursement. I tell them I am not covered at this time. They tell me I am out of luck. Are they liable?

 

[The Legal Shoppe]

The dealership should be responsible for negligently handling your vehicle.

Why wouldn't the other dealership return the vehicle to you? Aren't you the registered owner? If the other dealership does not return the vehicle to you, file a theft report with your local police department. You may also have a claim against the other dealer for theft or conversion of your vehicle.

Make sure that your insurance was terminated properly. Most states require notification by certified mail of intent to cancel or nonrenew a policy. Did you get notice before the theft that your insurance was cancelled, expired, or nonrenewed?

When all else fails, contact an attorney in your area. If this happened in Arizona, we can help you further.