Car Stolen
10-31-2016, 09:15 AM
#1
Car Stolen
I purchased a 2014 Z51 from a Florida dealer and it was being shipped to Long Island NY where I live. I received a call last night from the car carrier that he had taken my car off to make another delivery and when he came back to the truck my car had been stolen.
Police called me and requested I called GM to activate the OnStar tracking. I called OnStar and was told the only way to activate it was to press the OnStar button on the mirror. Does this sound right? Do police have the ability to request this turned on? This occurred in Livingston NJ and the officer said a lot of stolen cars are put in containers and shipped overseas or just parted out.
I let Geico Insurance know about the theft and they tell me the process takes minimum 30 days for police to investigate. They also mention they will go after the car carrier as it was their responsibility. This was going to be my first corvette and I was very excited but now its turned into a nightmare. I'm guessing insurance will not cover 100% of what I paid for the car.
Police called me and requested I called GM to activate the OnStar tracking. I called OnStar and was told the only way to activate it was to press the OnStar button on the mirror. Does this sound right? Do police have the ability to request this turned on? This occurred in Livingston NJ and the officer said a lot of stolen cars are put in containers and shipped overseas or just parted out.
I let Geico Insurance know about the theft and they tell me the process takes minimum 30 days for police to investigate. They also mention they will go after the car carrier as it was their responsibility. This was going to be my first corvette and I was very excited but now its turned into a nightmare. I'm guessing insurance will not cover 100% of what I paid for the car.
Popular Reply
11-02-2016, 12:41 PM
Update
The car carrier opened a case with their insurance company. They have assigned an adjustor who will question all of the parties involved and make an assessment. Im waiting for this adjustor to give me a call.
The car carrier opened a case with their insurance company. They have assigned an adjustor who will question all of the parties involved and make an assessment. Im waiting for this adjustor to give me a call.
10-31-2016, 09:19 AM
#2
10-31-2016, 09:36 AM
#4
Unless I'm missing something, since the car was previously owned, OnStar should have been activated, and they should still have the VIN in their system. It sounds like the answer you received from the OnStar rep was for a new car that has never been activated. Perhaps you weren't specific enough w/ the rep.
In any event, call OnStar back and relay the info above w/ the VIN. However, if it's inside a steel shipping container somewhere, they likely wouldn't be able to find it.
In any event, call OnStar back and relay the info above w/ the VIN. However, if it's inside a steel shipping container somewhere, they likely wouldn't be able to find it.
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VictorBarron (10-31-2016)
10-31-2016, 09:40 AM
#6
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I sure hope the carrier's insurance is enough to cover the full cost of the car. Good luck. BTW, what carrier did you use and did you go through a broker?
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10-31-2016, 09:45 AM
#8
OnStar said the previous owner closed the account in August and since it was so long ago the only way to reactivate it was to press the OnStar button inside the car.
Im pretty sure he left the keyfob in the car. That is why someone could drove off with it.
Im pretty sure he left the keyfob in the car. That is why someone could drove off with it.
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Foosh (10-31-2016)
10-31-2016, 09:50 AM
#9
Thanks for the clarification. Yes, I too suspect the driver left the fob in the car.
10-31-2016, 09:55 AM
#10
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That really sucks. Since it was the carrier's fault, they should be the ones that are on the hook for the loss and IMO should compensate you fully.
Good luck with this and hope it works out for you.
Good luck with this and hope it works out for you.
10-31-2016, 09:56 AM
#11
Melting Slicks
For a new car, you don't need to press the button. I think this is also for used cars since a Chevrolet dealer activates OnStar for the trial.
Maybe you need the police talk to OnStar.
Maybe you need the police talk to OnStar.
10-31-2016, 10:03 AM
#12
Safety Car
I don't know about you but I wouldn't pay one red cent for a car I never took possession of that was stolen before I ever saw it! If the insurance doesn't cover it 100% I would sue the carrier for whatever wasn't covered.
10-31-2016, 10:13 AM
#13
However, if a police department requests tracking in conjunction w/ a criminal investigation, I'm fairly certain it's still trackable.
10-31-2016, 10:16 AM
#14
How do you do that if you've already paid for it? The car wouldn't have been shipped if it wasn't paid for.
10-31-2016, 10:24 AM
#15
Cruising
Sorry to hear it man, I'm on LI too and thinking of getting a 2015-2016 C7 in the next few weeks. Was going to go with getting it delivered too, but this definitely gives me some pause.
10-31-2016, 10:43 AM
#16
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wow, dreadful experience for you....hopefully, the carrier is used to dealing with issues like this...stolen cars are so common now....and things will go in your favor quickly. Was there a BOTLO issued by the police? After all, a C7 is not a very common vehicle on the roads...were you in a major city, or thinly populated area?
10-31-2016, 10:46 AM
#17
Melting Slicks
Sorry this happened to you, what a nightmare.
Couple of thoughts:
1) Between your insurance and the carrier, you should be made entirely whole. That's what insurance is designed to do, and in this case, since you had not even taken possession of the car, there can be no doubt what the car was worth or what it cost you since you just paid for it. Replacement value is easy in this one. Your insurance may withhold your deductible, but either they or you can go after the carrier for it (if you file with your insurance instead of the carrier)
2)I believe OnStar's policy is that it must be activated from inside the vehicle on a reactivation so that they can verify you own (or at least are in possession of) the car. Otherwise, anyone can call up OnStar, tell them they want to start an account, and "oh by the way, I'm locked out of the car, can you unlock it please?). For the $19.95 for a month or service, or whatever it costs, you can break into any car that doesn't already have OnStar activated. The police might have some more sway, but it is reasonable that you can't activate an already owned car without the button.
Hope the process goes well for you and you find a suitable replacement!
Couple of thoughts:
1) Between your insurance and the carrier, you should be made entirely whole. That's what insurance is designed to do, and in this case, since you had not even taken possession of the car, there can be no doubt what the car was worth or what it cost you since you just paid for it. Replacement value is easy in this one. Your insurance may withhold your deductible, but either they or you can go after the carrier for it (if you file with your insurance instead of the carrier)
2)I believe OnStar's policy is that it must be activated from inside the vehicle on a reactivation so that they can verify you own (or at least are in possession of) the car. Otherwise, anyone can call up OnStar, tell them they want to start an account, and "oh by the way, I'm locked out of the car, can you unlock it please?). For the $19.95 for a month or service, or whatever it costs, you can break into any car that doesn't already have OnStar activated. The police might have some more sway, but it is reasonable that you can't activate an already owned car without the button.
Hope the process goes well for you and you find a suitable replacement!
10-31-2016, 10:55 AM
#18
Drifting
Here is my experience with On Star in these situations. I spent 10 years as an auto theft investigator. They will not activate their system for you or the police. They say it can only be done from inside the car by pushing the On star button. I have no idea if that is actually true but I was never successful in getting them to do it.
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Foosh (10-31-2016)
10-31-2016, 11:14 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
Sorry this happened to you, what a nightmare.
Couple of thoughts:
1) Between your insurance and the carrier, you should be made entirely whole. That's what insurance is designed to do, and in this case, since you had not even taken possession of the car, there can be no doubt what the car was worth or what it cost you since you just paid for it. Replacement value is easy in this one. Your insurance may withhold your deductible, but either they or you can go after the carrier for it (if you file with your insurance instead of the carrier)
2)I believe OnStar's policy is that it must be activated from inside the vehicle on a reactivation so that they can verify you own (or at least are in possession of) the car. Otherwise, anyone can call up OnStar, tell them they want to start an account, and "oh by the way, I'm locked out of the car, can you unlock it please?). For the $19.95 for a month or service, or whatever it costs, you can break into any car that doesn't already have OnStar activated. The police might have some more sway, but it is reasonable that you can't activate an already owned car without the button.
Hope the process goes well for you and you find a suitable replacement!
Couple of thoughts:
1) Between your insurance and the carrier, you should be made entirely whole. That's what insurance is designed to do, and in this case, since you had not even taken possession of the car, there can be no doubt what the car was worth or what it cost you since you just paid for it. Replacement value is easy in this one. Your insurance may withhold your deductible, but either they or you can go after the carrier for it (if you file with your insurance instead of the carrier)
2)I believe OnStar's policy is that it must be activated from inside the vehicle on a reactivation so that they can verify you own (or at least are in possession of) the car. Otherwise, anyone can call up OnStar, tell them they want to start an account, and "oh by the way, I'm locked out of the car, can you unlock it please?). For the $19.95 for a month or service, or whatever it costs, you can break into any car that doesn't already have OnStar activated. The police might have some more sway, but it is reasonable that you can't activate an already owned car without the button.
Hope the process goes well for you and you find a suitable replacement!
^^This 100%.
Last edited by ZMan64; 10-31-2016 at 11:51 AM.
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ZenicaPA (11-03-2016)
10-31-2016, 11:20 AM
#20
Safety Car
If you say purchased a desk and it was supposed to be delivered to your house but in the process it fell of the truck would you accept delivery? Would you pay a red cent for that? No, and there's no insurance on that one. Simply put, if you paid any money for something that you never got then you're foolish.
Last edited by defaria; 10-31-2016 at 11:42 AM.
