Property stolen when being repaired

[nasurdy]

What is the name of your state? MN

We brought our John Deere riding lawn mower into a repair shop to get fixed. We received a bill in the mail. We called to set up a time to pick it up and the owner said he thought we had already picked it up - as it was gone. It had been stolen from his property. Evidently, he leaves the mowers outside his building and has never had one stolen until now. He says his insurance company says he is not responsible and that we should claim it on our homeowners insurance. We have a deductible of $2600. The lawn mower is worth around $1200 - 1600. We feel he is responsible. What can we do?

 

[alnorth]

What is the name of your state? MN

We brought our John Deere riding lawn mower into a repair shop to get fixed. We received a bill in the mail. We called to set up a time to pick it up and the owner said he thought we had already picked it up - as it was gone. It had been stolen from his property. Evidently, he leaves the mowers outside his building and has never had one stolen until now. He says his insurance company says he is not responsible and that we should claim it on our homeowners insurance. We have a deductible of $2600. The lawn mower is worth around $1200 - 1600. We feel he is responsible. What can we do?

You can sue him in small claims court and let him explain to a judge why he thinks he is not responsible. If you win, his insurance company will have to pay, unless its excluded for some odd reason.

 

[moburkes]

You can sue him in small claims court and let him explain to a judge why he thinks he is not responsible. If you win, his insurance company will have to pay, unless its excluded for some odd reason.

The shop owner's deductible is probably higher than OPs. The shop owner is responsible. It is called "bailee".

 

[CraigFL]

The shop owner's deductible is probably higher than OPs. The shop owner is responsible. It is called "bailee".

I call it "self insured" if your policy doesn't cover it.... Sue the shop owner!

 

[moburkes]

I call it "self insured" if your policy doesn't cover it.... Sue the shop owner!

THAT was funny, but true. You made me laugh.