A minor tragedy -- my car was stolen last night

[theeye]

Apparently the car thieves in NYC, who've been relatively inactive for a while, have decided that with all the police busy downtown, it's a fine day for a little thievery.

My Nissan Altima was swiped off of the street sometime last night.

I spent most of today at the understaffed local precinct filing a report (the street it's located on has been blocked off to traffic since the 11th and we had to tell the officer guarding the intersection why we needed to walk onto that block).

I presume that the car no longer exists by now, having been cut up into "used parts" inventory.

Our insurance company will, of course, take a while before it concedes that fact. But we're going to have to start shopping for a replacement right away.

Any suggestions? A nice, safe (safety seems to be the watchword these days, doesn't it?), reasonably comfortable, reliable four-door car with room for a car seat in the back -- but one which isn't quite the car thief magnet that the Altima probably was? Does such a car exist?

I know it's a small thing. I'm alive. My family and friends are alive. My son, unlike thousands upon thousands of small children here, is not an orphan. We have insurance and, in any event, can afford the loss. But it really feels like every attempt to return to some semblance of normalcy just meets with another brick wall. I'm beyond drained at this point.

And to think that this morning I was fretting that I would be late to work because I had to take the car in to get those squeaky brakes checked out...

[poseidon]

As an insurance adjustor, let me give you a few truths:

1. Most cars are found intact within a week of the theft.

2. Most cars are not cut up and sold as parts.

3. The policy states (most policies do) that the insurance company can wait up to 30 days for the car to be found. Again, most cars are found, and thus the policy provision exists. The insurance company would rather put you in a rental car for a few weeks rather than buy you a new car the day after your car is stolen only to have your car recovered the next day and have to go through the hassle of selling it at a loss.

Use the Epinions database to look for your next car. Michelle just bought a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue, and we just drove it 2500 to Wisconsin and back. It's probably the most comfortable car I've ridden in in many years, it was awesome on gas (we got almost 39 miles to the gallon on the highway). It's a mid-size to full-size car (only the Olds Aurora is bigger), seemed very safe, and had a bunch of neat gizmos to play with.

Jeff

[theeye]

Thanks for the info, Jeff. Do you know what the statistics are for cars that are stolen in NYC? My completely uneducated guess (though the police officer I asked -- who may be just as uneducated, for all I know -- agreed) is that the number of cars stolen here that end up chopped up is higher than the nationwide average. But I could be wrong. I hope I am.

Just to clarify: I don't at all blame the insurance company for imposing a wait period. It's completely reasonable. In fact, I had a car stolen 11 years ago and the police did, indeed, find it -- one day before I was about to go and buy a replacement. Three thousand dollars of repairs later and the car was good as new. Somehow, though, I still have this (possibly irrational) conviction that the car is gone for good.

As for the car suggestion, I neglected to add that we want a car that's large enough to be comfortable -- but small enough to be able to park relatively easily on the congested streets of Manhattan.

I'll check out some Epinions soon.

[quasar]

Sorry to hear about your car. I'm afraid I have no suggestion for you.

Janice, the non-driver

[Redlass]

I had wondered if crime was taking a hiatus in New York City. But then, I suppose it wouldn't have lasted for two weeks...

I'm sorry your car was stolen. That must be horribly frustrating on top of everything else.

As much as I love Saturns, I rented a 2001 Olds Alero for a week and loved it. It was a fun car and rode very well. I drove between three states and was comfortable the whole time. In fact, I really ought to finally write that review based on all the notes I took on it.

[poseidon]

Originally posted by theeye
Thanks for the info, Jeff. Do you know what the statistics are for cars that are stolen in NYC? My completely uneducated guess (though the police officer I asked -- who may be just as uneducated, for all I know -- agreed) is that the number of cars stolen here that end up chopped up is higher than the nationwide average. But I could be wrong. I hope I am.

Just to clarify: I don't at all blame the insurance company for imposing a wait period. It's completely reasonable. In fact, I had a car stolen 11 years ago and the police did, indeed, find it -- one day before I was about to go and buy a replacement. Three thousand dollars of repairs later and the car was good as new. Somehow, though, I still have this (possibly irrational) conviction that the car is gone for good.

As for the car suggestion, I neglected to add that we want a car that's large enough to be comfortable -- but small enough to be able to park relatively easily on the congested streets of Manhattan.

I'll check out some Epinions soon.

No, I don't have statistics for NYC. We don't write business in the State of NY.

But I can tell you that the "chop shop" thing is a myth for the most part. People would love for you to believe that cars are hoarded and sent to chop shops and have their parts distributed all around the country.

But technology has fortunately put this business out of business per se. Sure, some still do exist, but nearly every major component is marked with the VIN# of the car, those that aren't marked with the VIN# are marked in other ways (did you know that there are seven places on a car that can identify the car that even most body shops are unaware of but the National Crime Institute Bureau (NCIB) is?). It's just too easy to get caught pawning off stolen car parts.

My guess is that someone took advantage of the limited police situation in NYC and took your car for a joyride and it's sitting in some alley waiting to be picked up... or it might already be impounded and they've just not caught up with it.

Jeff

[taurusmoon]

So sorry to hear about your car. I know how you feel. What a tremendous sense of violation.

If you want an incident to support your statistics, I once had a car stolen here (only 3200 miles on it) and it never returned. The 30 day wait period was a bear.

As to recommendations, I really love my Ford Focus. It's small, yet roomy at the same time. Plus, it drives like a European car. A big selling point for me.


Sara

[frazzledspice]

I'm so sorry this happened. I guess that tragedy brings out the best in some of us, and the worst in others of us.

I lived in NY for 40 of my 52 years in almost complete safety, and what I've seen on TV in NY has confirmed what I know about most New Yorkers--that they're wonderful, caring people.

But there's a lemon or two, too, unfortunately.

If you will be renting a car while the police and insurance company search for the Altima, perhaps you can try out several different ones. Sometimes I think that renting a car is the best way to determine whether you'd like to own one or not.

[Mrsfitts]

It's not just the car that was stolen, but also your piece of mind! That's just not right, and I hope the thieves that stole your car suffer major hassles all through their lives (Kharma?)

Piece of mind is the one big thing my husband likes about this house. It's on the same block as the police station, and nothing has been bothered in the 4 years we've been here. I hate how small the yard is (but with my limited mobility right now that's a good thing) but we've left keys in the door, the cars unlocked, the doors unlocked, garage door open, and nothing was touched. (Keys in the door was hubby -I would never! lol) And packages are left on my porch by UPS, USPS and FedX -even in their orignal boxes (Panasonic Video camera 18 months ago...) and they're there when we get home from work.

Friday night someone rode their bike into the parking garage of the Social Security Building around the corner from me. In 2 minutes there were 4 patrol cars and an Incident Command vehicle. After the 11th of Sept, eyes are open and watching everything around here...

I hope they do find your car intact, but since you have a particular location that is conducive to chop shops that other states/areas don't, it's probably on a ship to the Orient right now (as seen on 20/20)

Sorry.

[amykhar]

Oh man I was just wondering today if all the creeps were taking advantage of the situation. It seems like all the Internet creeps are; so I guess it stands to reason that the real life ones are as well.

I hope you get it back soon or get a cool new car.

Amy

[jgibson2[$]]

The type of car you buy won't prevent theft. We had parents of a baby in our NICU who'd bought an ugly plain small car as their NY city car (they lived in Connecticutt -- long story how they ended up in Baltimore). Anyway, the car was stolen from our hospital parking lot the night the baby was admitted to the NICU. They replaced it with a full-sized thief magnet and protected that.

So what do you do? The magic word is

Lo Jack My husband got to go to one of their demonstrations locally. They provide your local police with the recovery equipment and cars are generally recovered within 24 hours of theft. One Lo Jacked car here led to the breaking of a stolen car ring -- they got back the Lo Jack vehicle and about 5 others and arrested the people running the car theft ring. Yes, chop shops are uncommon, and where they do exist, they're not necessarily cutting those cars up within hours of stealing them.

[AuntieEmma[$]]

Bummer.

I don't know nuthin bout choosing cars, but I would recommend getting an ignition lock. In addition to the club -- it's like wearing a belt and suspenders, but it's a good combo -- even if they cut the club, the car (I think) is impossible to start. I think you also get a break on your insurance with that. Anyway, my father, who often parked in high crime neighborhoods, swore by it.

[theeye]

We had an alarm and an ignition lock on our last car. They caused us no end of problems: the alarm would come on while I was driving the car, the ignition lock literally fell apart in my hands one day and I had to get my mechanic to disconnect the whole alarm system.

According to the police officer who took our report yesterday, she's witnessed (while undercover) car thieves stealing a car in literally under a minute. They know how to disconnect alarms and how to cut through The Club. In her words, "if they want your car, they'll get it".

A few people have suggested LoJack, though, and I'm seriously considering it.

Non sequitor alert -- those with weak stomachs may want to leave now

In a miserable finish to a miserable day yesterday, our 16 month old son decided that he absolutely did not want to go to bed no matter how much we cajoled him. By midnight, we decided to put him in his bed and let him scream (those who read my thread about the last time we did this will know that he flung himself over the side of his crib -- hence his new toddler bed, which he hates just as much).

Well, he got himself so worked up that once he got out and into my husband's arms, he threw up volumninously all over himself, my husband, the carpeted floor of his room, the door to his room and the marble tiled floor just outside his room.

Hubby and son went straight into the bathtub while I cleaned up. It was 1:30 by the time we tried going to bed again, with Poopster in our bed.

He wouldn't sleep -- wanted to play. I'm not sure what time we finally got to sleep.

And here I am, waiting for his nanny to arrive so I can go vote (the primary that was cancelled on Sept 11 is rescheduled for today -- I'm going to literally "vote early and often" this year) and then go pick up my rental car: $40/day of which the insurance company will pick up $25, starting tomorrow.

[theeye]

The LoJack page also offers some statistics supporting the idea that NYC has a high rate of professional car thieves stealing cars for parts. Interestingly, the Altima does not appear on their list of most commonly stolen cars, though I suspect it may be becoming more popular with thieves as it becomes more popular with consumers.

[cristina1]

So sorry about your car. How long do you have to wait for them to recover it before the insurance pays?

And thanks for reminding me about the primaries today I have been so busy lately that I almost forgot about it!

Good luck getting your rental, and hopefully your car will be found soon.

[magenta321]

LoJack is a good idea. I talked my mom into getting it on her new car, but they kept her waiting so long to have it installed that she just got angrier and angrier and finally canceled it. She was on the phone with them daily trying to get her car taken in. I hope she doesn't regret her decision.

I am absolutely thrilled with my Jetta. Small, comfy, not bad on gas, and relatively inexpensive. In fact, when I bought mine, I also debated getting an Altima. The girl who ultimately became my roomate that year bought a 2000 Altima and I bought a 2000 Jetta. We both prefered my Jetta, although, you might feel differently.

I am sorry about the loss of your car. Even worse that you have to pay for the rental!

[theeye]

There's a 30 day wait period before they'll settle. Understandable, since it's possible that the car will be recovered, but annoying since it's likely it won't be.

And I've got to pay upfront for the rental car, which will be (partially reimbursed) once the whole claim is approved.

Right now, I'm struggling to get all the documentation they want.

IMPORTANT ADVICE TO EVERYONE: Don't make my stupid mistake. Keep and file every service receipt you have for your car. The insurance company wants my most recent service receipt (including a mileage indication) and I've thrown them all away (except for the couple of most recent -- which were in the car ) And my mechanic hasn't entered the computer age, so I'm going to have to wrack my brains to remember where we took the car to be inspected.

[taurusmoon]

A Carfax report on your car should give you the mileage at last inspection.

If you can't turn up anything else, you might want to look into that.

Sara

[theeye]

Thanks, Sara. The insurance adjuster did recommend CarFax as a last resort.

I've now remembered where I got the car inspected: down on 10th Avenue. The key word here is "down". I don't remember whether it was sufficiently downtown to be currently inaccessible. (Irony of ironies: my own receipts in the car and the inspection station possibly too close to Ground Zero.)

I wonder how the insurance companies are going to deal with what I can only assume will be a deluge of lost vehicle claims for cars that were parked downtown. How do you prove that you parked your car at Ground Zero, as clearly thousands did?

[evmori]

Sorry to hear about the theft! I have always said, if they want it they will get it no matter how well you protect it!

Good luck car shopping!

[Mrsfitts]

Originally posted by theeye
I wonder how the insurance companies are going to deal with what I can only assume will be a deluge of lost vehicle claims for cars that were parked downtown. How do you prove that you parked your car at Ground Zero, as clearly thousands did?

Off topic, but it reminded me of my grandmother's life-long hassles. She was born in San Francisco, California in 1902. In 1906 they had that little earthquake that resulted in fires that wiped out all records of everyone in the city. For the rest of her life she was hassled by Social Security, DMV, Etc... because she couldn't produce a birth certificate. Seems the hospital burned down as well as all the places that records would be kept... It was truly a Catch-22 life.

[theeye]

Originally posted by Mrsfitts


Off topic, but it reminded me of my grandmother's life-long hassles. She was born in San Francisco, California in 1902. In 1906 they had that little earthquake that resulted in fires that wiped out all records of everyone in the city. For the rest of her life she was hassled by Social Security, DMV, Etc... because she couldn't produce a birth certificate. Seems the hospital burned down as well as all the places that records would be kept... It was truly a Catch-22 life.

My father is a Holocaust survivor. Like many survivors, his birthday was changed to faciliate escape: he is fairly certain that he is approximately one year older than all of his official paperwork indicates. If he could prove this, he'd get more Social Security, but, of course, he has no birth certificate. Fortunately, when he entered the U.S. as a refugee (and a U.S. army volunteer -- which helped speed things up), he was given enough new official paperwork that he hasn't had any of the problems your grandmother endured.

My mother-in-law, too, celebrates her birthday in January, but her family all agreed that she was born during the Jewish holiday of Shemini Azeret, which takes place in Sept or October, never January. She doesn't really know whether her official age is accurate or not.

[poseidon]

Originally posted by theeye
There's a 30 day wait period before they'll settle. Understandable, since it's possible that the car will be recovered, but annoying since it's likely it won't be.

And I've got to pay upfront for the rental car, which will be (partially reimbursed) once the whole claim is approved.

Right now, I'm struggling to get all the documentation they want.

IMPORTANT ADVICE TO EVERYONE: Don't make my stupid mistake. Keep and file every service receipt you have for your car. The insurance company wants my most recent service receipt (including a mileage indication) and I've thrown them all away (except for the couple of most recent -- which were in the car ) And my mechanic hasn't entered the computer age, so I'm going to have to wrack my brains to remember where we took the car to be inspected.

NOT A SALES PITCH

because my company doesn't sell in New York. But, it sounds like you've got a crappy insurance company.

The company that I work for (and I refuse to believe that we sell anything unique here since 90% of the insurance companies all buy their policy language from a company called ISO) has their auto insurance policy which states that not only do we provide you with a rental car, but we pay for the rental car charge to put you back on the road despite the cost. We don't have a $25/day limit.

On top of that, many insurance companies will contract with companies like Enterprise Rent A Car (the biggest outfit out there) where Enterprise will bill the insurance company directly, rather than have the insured have to pay for those costs up front.

Stating all that, I should probably go on to say that all we pay for is the daily rate on the car plus the tax on the daily rate. If you take out the optional insurance coverages, run high mileage charges, etc. the insurance company is not responsible for those charges and will not pay for them.

Again, most insurance companies sell the exact same policy as their competitor. Even most of the companies that write their own policies, such as State Farm or Allstate, borrow their language from the ISO policies so that they are nearly identical.

The important thing to remember is that when you purchase insurance of any kind, you aren't purchasing something tangible. Sure, they give you a paper copy of your policy, but all you are actually purchasing is a promise -- nothi