RS6 stolen, don't want it back from insurance, what next?
Discussion
My 2016 RS6 was stolen earlier this month, recovered a few hours later thanks to the tracker installed by the finance company. Want to review what my options are if my insurance company want to return it back to me.
There is damage inside from panels being ripped off and the automated tailgate isn't working, also risk of other damage that isn't visible due to how it was driven and the route it took.
I told my insurance company I don't want it back, they instructed Copart but now they want to review the car and assess it and there is a chance that the car is returned back to me.
What can I do to reject this? I assume there will be a stolen recovered marker on it, finance on the car that may end up being more than what it's now valued at, and the key point, the constant concern that someone else would try to steal it again as I've had 3 thieves in my house who broke in and took the keys for it while me and my family were asleep upstairs.
Do I have any way of ensuring I don't get the car back?
Incase someone asks, now have anti snap locks fitted all round the house and 4 additional cameras have gone up, alarm is now automated on a schedule and we're even looking at moving though the area we are in is quite good with a low crime rate.
edit - forgot to mention they also value the car for more than I paid for it, which may alter their view on it?
There is damage inside from panels being ripped off and the automated tailgate isn't working, also risk of other damage that isn't visible due to how it was driven and the route it took.
I told my insurance company I don't want it back, they instructed Copart but now they want to review the car and assess it and there is a chance that the car is returned back to me.
What can I do to reject this? I assume there will be a stolen recovered marker on it, finance on the car that may end up being more than what it's now valued at, and the key point, the constant concern that someone else would try to steal it again as I've had 3 thieves in my house who broke in and took the keys for it while me and my family were asleep upstairs.
Do I have any way of ensuring I don't get the car back?
Incase someone asks, now have anti snap locks fitted all round the house and 4 additional cameras have gone up, alarm is now automated on a schedule and we're even looking at moving though the area we are in is quite good with a low crime rate.
edit - forgot to mention they also value the car for more than I paid for it, which may alter their view on it?
Edited by EmilA on Wednesday 20th October 10:15
In simple terms, it's not up to you whether the car comes back to you, other than if they write it off and then offer to sell it to you.
If the damage to the car is cheap enough to fix, they will fix it. As they would if you'd crashed it.
It won't have a stolen recovered marker if you do get it back (unless you're buying the write-off back) as that only applies to cars which have been recovered later after they've already paid out to the owner.
If the damage to the car is cheap enough to fix, they will fix it. As they would if you'd crashed it.
It won't have a stolen recovered marker if you do get it back (unless you're buying the write-off back) as that only applies to cars which have been recovered later after they've already paid out to the owner.
EmilA said:
Incase someone asks, now have anti snap locks fitted all round the house and 4 additional cameras have gone up, alarm is now automated on a schedule and we're even looking at moving though the area we are in is quite good with a low crime rate.
Same happened to us (for a Golf R and an A6)Low crime area, it was a targeted theft.
I changed car for something boring for a bit.
Interesting point about the insurance marker on it. That seems like one less thing to be worried about if it was to come back to me, as I'd look at selling it on asap.
It's also ended my appreciation for RS models and I doubt i'll get another anytime soon, I seem to have poor luck with RS6's as my last one was rejected back to the dealer due to a few problems with it and this one was stolen.
Current settlement figure will expire this sunday, hoping they don't drag it out.
Could I also ask that the car is taken to Audi for an inspection and parts replaced as needed? I got it as an approved used from an Audi dealer, done less than 920 miles.
It's also ended my appreciation for RS models and I doubt i'll get another anytime soon, I seem to have poor luck with RS6's as my last one was rejected back to the dealer due to a few problems with it and this one was stolen.
Current settlement figure will expire this sunday, hoping they don't drag it out.
Could I also ask that the car is taken to Audi for an inspection and parts replaced as needed? I got it as an approved used from an Audi dealer, done less than 920 miles.
vaud said:
Same happened to us (for a Golf R and an A6)
Low crime area, it was a targeted theft.
I changed car for something boring for a bit.
They took my RS6 and A4 keys, left the A4 behind. There's a modified Golf R up my street plus an S3 which were left. The same thieves were caught on a Ring camera approx 1 mile away attempting to break in else where 30 minutes before they turned up at my home.Low crime area, it was a targeted theft.
I changed car for something boring for a bit.
Agree with it being a targeted theft, I thought a Dislok would suffice but when they break in and take the keys it becomes a moot point sadly
EmilA said:
Could I also ask that the car is taken to Audi for an inspection and parts replaced as needed? I got it as an approved used from an Audi dealer, done less than 920 miles.
Depends on your insurance coverage.When I had an incident some time ago, it has to go to the insurance company's 'approved repairer' and they refused to let me take it to a dealer.
Said repairer looked like the kind of establishment fixing cars for Arthur Daley's forecourt. Lesson learned regarding getting good insurance cover.......
EmilA said:
Would the insurance company provide some payment of the car's value if the car was handed back to me?
Can you clarify what you mean here?Do you mean depreciation? If so, that's obviously a no.
The insurance company are obliged to repair or replace the car in the most economical fashion to them.
You are not covered because the car has been 'tainted' in your eyes because it's been stolen. Or because you're worried it'll get stolen again.
If you've lost faith with it and decide to sell it, any loss is on you unfortunately.
I would let them repair it but at a garage of your choice.
Last thing you need to add to this saga is a back street garage being left in charge of your once prized possession.
I would be looking at the options of where to get it repaired?
Find a decent repair/paint shop (Not usually the main dealer as they are like a conveyor belt) but someone who actually understands about such cars. Find a place where the super cars get repaired or high end classics.
If you have a loan car then even better as if the job is sub standard from a garage of their choice you reject the repair until it is completed to the required standard.
If you have the control of the repair then you will be more relaxed rather than worrying about the quality.
The sad thing is there are loads of vehicles on the road with this type of history but only the original owner would know.
Fix it, drive it and if you have fallen out of love with it then move it on.
Last thing you need to add to this saga is a back street garage being left in charge of your once prized possession.
I would be looking at the options of where to get it repaired?
Find a decent repair/paint shop (Not usually the main dealer as they are like a conveyor belt) but someone who actually understands about such cars. Find a place where the super cars get repaired or high end classics.
If you have a loan car then even better as if the job is sub standard from a garage of their choice you reject the repair until it is completed to the required standard.
If you have the control of the repair then you will be more relaxed rather than worrying about the quality.
The sad thing is there are loads of vehicles on the road with this type of history but only the original owner would know.
Fix it, drive it and if you have fallen out of love with it then move it on.
Reminds me of a true story from 20+ years ago of an acquaintance who will remain anonymous.
Car stolen, 5 weeks in & plans afoot to replace, spots car whilst near some tower blocks in Thamesmead. Cooly, places handkerchief into petrol cap & lights & departs swiftly.
Insurance payout arrives next week.
Car stolen, 5 weeks in & plans afoot to replace, spots car whilst near some tower blocks in Thamesmead. Cooly, places handkerchief into petrol cap & lights & departs swiftly.
Insurance payout arrives next week.
Our A4 has been with the insurance companies approved repairer to have the locks changed and new keys programmed and remove old fob details. So far they have been professional and also worked with the local Audi dealer to get the work done.
I wouldn't be concerned about it being repaired by the same company but can imagine a new dashboard may be needed due to how they have ripped apart the glovebox and surrounding areas. However I would prefer it if someone like MRC reviewed the car and not just the Audi dealer.
I do wish the police waited and saw who came back for the car instead of just picking it up.
I wouldn't be concerned about it being repaired by the same company but can imagine a new dashboard may be needed due to how they have ripped apart the glovebox and surrounding areas. However I would prefer it if someone like MRC reviewed the car and not just the Audi dealer.
I do wish the police waited and saw who came back for the car instead of just picking it up.
[quote=Dark Star]I would let them repair it but at a garage of your choice
snip/quote]
As has been said, you don't have a choice in whether they repair or not. Where it can be repaired is determined by what your insurance policy says - essentially what you agreed to when you took out the policy.
snip/quote]
As has been said, you don't have a choice in whether they repair or not. Where it can be repaired is determined by what your insurance policy says - essentially what you agreed to when you took out the policy.
J.R.B. said:
Was this the one where there was a video of the theft posted on Stolen Cars Midlands?
I’m local to you and risk of theft puts me right off having certain cars parked on the drive. A shame that you even have to consider that when choosing a car but it seems to be getting worse.
I'm in a low crime area of Yorkshire but they still got mine and many others in the area.I’m local to you and risk of theft puts me right off having certain cars parked on the drive. A shame that you even have to consider that when choosing a car but it seems to be getting worse.
For us it was an advanced "chop shop" in Birmingham.
It's almost as if they had a leak from DVLA, insurance or finance companies to provide the thieves with target lists...
You sound like you plagiarise my post from end Jan last year 
I had my 2016 RS6 perf stolen off the drive after scum broke in at qtr to 3 in the morning to steal the keys (also took the keys to my wifes Evoque but that was left).
Car was recovered by 7am due to the tracker and like yours no damage bar trim where they ripped it apart trying to find the tracker.
It was repaired, I had no choice on that matter - no way is an ins company going to pay out full value when they can just repair.
I traded it in the day I got it back for something else - no way could I have it back and risk this sort of thing happening again, or worse. It also spoiled my ownership as I loved that car but it would always be a sticking point over it.
There will be a ton of hard nuts who say you shouldn't be put off owning one, should stand up for yourself etc. but until it happens to you it's so easy to say.
I had my 2016 RS6 perf stolen off the drive after scum broke in at qtr to 3 in the morning to steal the keys (also took the keys to my wifes Evoque but that was left).
Car was recovered by 7am due to the tracker and like yours no damage bar trim where they ripped it apart trying to find the tracker.
It was repaired, I had no choice on that matter - no way is an ins company going to pay out full value when they can just repair.
I traded it in the day I got it back for something else - no way could I have it back and risk this sort of thing happening again, or worse. It also spoiled my ownership as I loved that car but it would always be a sticking point over it.
There will be a ton of hard nuts who say you shouldn't be put off owning one, should stand up for yourself etc. but until it happens to you it's so easy to say.
J.R.B. said:
Was this the one where there was a video of the theft posted on Stolen Cars Midlands?
I’m local to you and risk of theft puts me right off having certain cars parked on the drive. A shame that you even have to consider that when choosing a car but it seems to be getting worse.
Yes that post was submitted by me to them.I’m local to you and risk of theft puts me right off having certain cars parked on the drive. A shame that you even have to consider that when choosing a car but it seems to be getting worse.
First time in 16 years of performance cars that I have had something untoward happen, it's not put me off but it has put me off RS6's.
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