Theft or Stolen Car Insurance Dispute Lawyer

Dealing with the theft or stolen car can be a devastating experience for any car owner. In the event of a stolen car, having the right insurance coverage can help ease the financial burden and provide compensation for the loss of the car.

Understanding the process of submitting a stolen car insurance claim is crucial in order to receive the necessary support from your insurer during such a distressing time. As Stolen Car Insurance Dispute Lawyers, we provide guidance below on the steps involved in submitting a stolen car insurance claim, the documentation required, and what to expect during the claims process.

Do you need help with a stolen car insurance dispute? Book a Free Consultation Call by calling 0208 185 0990 (open 24/7). We DO NOT deal with any road traffic accident disputes. You should contact your car insurance company if you are involved in a road traffic accident.

Theft or Stolen Cars Which Are Covered by Insurance Policy

In England and Wales, before obtaining a car insurance policy, the insurer will ask where your vehicle is kept overnight. This may be a garage, driveway, or a public place. If you have advised your insurer that the car will be used for business purposes, then this will also be covered.

If your car is stolen, then you may need to provide the following evidence:

• For theft from a garage, the coverage often requires evidence of forced entry or visible signs of breaking into the garage. Also, a crime reference number for the stolen car.
• In the case of driveway theft, evidence of forced entry or a police report is usually required to support a claim. If you, or your neighbour, has CCTV footage or a doorbell camera, this would be helpful.
• Theft from a public place may require evidence of the theft occurring in the report location i.e. CCTV camera footage.

In case of a stolen car insurance dispute, it’s essential to provide all the relevant evidence to support the claim and to work with the insurance company to understand their specific procedures and requirements for each type of theft.

Steps To Take When Your Car is Stolen

If your car is stolen, the first step is to report the incident to the police immediately. Provide as much detail as possible about the theft and your vehicle.

Once a police report has been filed, contact your insurance company to inform them of the theft and begin the process of filing a car theft claim. Be prepared to provide all necessary documentation and evidence to support your claim, such as the police report, vehicle registration, and any other relevant information.

If your insurance claim is denied, it is important to review the denial letter carefully to understand the reason for the denial of the theft or stolen car claim. You may need to gather additional evidence or documentation to support your stolen car insurance dispute. We have a successful history of dealing with several insurance disputes.

Why Has The Insurer Rejected Your Theft or Stolen Car Claim?

Insurance claims in theft cases can be complex and often result in rejections due to a variety of reasons. Policyholders must be aware of these potential pitfalls and seek legal advice from insurance dispute lawyers.

Understanding these reasons can help policyholders better navigate the claims process and ensure they have the best chance of a successful outcome. More information on the insurer’s reasons for rejecting a claim is detailed below:

(1) Insufficient Evidence or Documentation Provided

The insurance company may argue they need the following documents before a decision can be made on the claim: police report, CCTV footage, photos, receipts, tracker information and more.

Each piece of evidence is important in validating the claim and ensuring its legitimacy. Without the necessary documentation, an insurance company may argue it is difficult to verify the circumstances of the theft of the car.

The absence of these supporting materials makes it challenging for the insurance company to process and approve the claim. It is important to provide all relevant documentary evidence to substantiate the claim and expedite the claims process.

(2) Inaccuracies in the Car Valuation

Identifying inaccuracies in car valuation can be crucial, especially when dealing with insurance claims. One way to do this is by comparing the retrieved valuation details with the actual value of the vehicle. This can be done by examining the condition, mileage, and any additional features of the car that may not have been considered in the valuation.

Consulting with independent car mechanics can also provide a more accurate assessment of the vehicle’s value. Additionally, researching the market value of similar cars can help determine if the valuation is consistent with current market trends.

If the policyholder has undervalued the car when purchasing the insurance policy, the insurance company may reject the claim. It may be that the amount to be paid by the insurance company is reduced to the amount stated in the insurance policy and a financial cap is applied. This can result in financial loss for the car owner. It is important to carefully review any valuation before purchasing an insurance policy.

(3) You Haven’t Done Enough To Prevent The Car Being Stolen

Taking preventive measures to avoid car theft may be another reason for an insurance company to reject a stolen car claim.  By simply locking your car doors, purchasing steering wheel locks, using anti-theft devices i.e. car tracker, and avoiding leaving keys in the car, you can greatly reduce the risk of theft.

If these preventive measures are not taken, the potential consequences can be severe. Not only could you lose your car, but you may also face the denial of insurance claims if it is determined that you did not take proper precautions to prevent the theft. This can result in significant financial loss and the inconvenience of being without a vehicle.

With the increase in ‘keyless car thefts’, if you drive a high-value car then it may be a term of your policy that an active vehicle tracker is placed inside the car. Also, a subscription is purchased for the car tracker throughout the term of the insurance policy.

It is important to recognise that car theft is a real threat, and by neglecting to take preventive measures, you are putting yourself at risk of facing unfortunate consequences.

(4) The Car Owner Has Failed to Disclose Key Information or Committed Misrepresentation

At the time of purchasing the insurance policy, you may have provided answers to questions in good faith, not imagining they’ll be scrutinised later. If an insurance company makes allegations against you of non-disclosure of key information, and/or misrepresentation, then your stolen car claim will be rejected and the insurance policy may be voided.

In the above situation, the insurer alleges you have committed fraud and/or submitted a fraudulent claim. This can be a daunting experience, and you may not know where to turn. It is important to seek legal advice from an Insurance Disputes Lawyer when such allegations are being made.

If you are accused of misrepresentation, or non-disclosure of key information, the insurer will likely argue that if you had provided more accurate information, at the time of taking out the policy, they would not have insured the car. This will normally result in them trying to do one of four things:

(i) The insurance company may charge you extra money for an insurance policy – with the correct information provided. You would pay the difference between the two policies.

(ii) The insurance company may partially settle a claim – paying only part of the claim as opposed to the full amount you were insured for.

(iii) The insurance company may outright reject your stolen car claim and rely upon the exclusion clauses.

(iv) The insurance company may void the policy – treating it as though it never existed and therefore not paying you anything. This may also lead to a negative mark on your insurance file called CIFAS.

(5) The Car is Stolen By Deception

In some occasions, an insurance company may reject the theft or stolen car claim if there is evidence that the car was stolen by deception. This may be when the car owner has been tricked into handing over their keys during a car sale scam.

It is crucial for you to be aware of the stipulations in their insurance policy and regularly update their insurer with any changes in circumstances.

Failing to update information or understand the details of their policy could result in denied claims or inadequate coverage. By staying informed and proactive, you can better protect yourself against the risks of car theft and deception.

You should seek legal advice from insurance dispute lawyers to overturn the insurer’s decision. We provide further guidance in the following blog ‘How To Overturn The Rejected Insurance Claim’ below.

How We Can Help You Overturn the Insurer’s Decision?

If you are involved in a stolen car insurance dispute, and you want to challenge the insurance company, then we can assist you in overturning the insurance dispute. The first step is to book a Free Consultation Call (15 Minutes).

Mr Usman Anwar, Legal Director, has helped many people overturn rejected theft or stolen car insurance claims. We have a successful history of dealing with several insurance disputes.

How much will it cost?

At the very beginning, we will discuss the different ways to fund your case such as fixed legal costs or hourly rates. We will keep your legal costs to a minimum and be clear at the very outset. For more information, see Fixed Legal Costs And Fixed Fee Litigation Advice

We would always suggest entering into Alternative Dispute Resolution/ Mediation which may settle the dispute quickly and avoid Court action. For more information, see Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Contact Us

If you are seeking legal advice for a theft or stolen car dispute, zwe can help with your stolen car insurance dispute. To book a Free Consultation Call, with Mr. Usman Anwar Legal Director, you can complete the Contact Us Form or Call Us on 0208 185 0990 (open 24/7).

Still not convinced? Read some of our client’s success stories and testimonials on how they settled their insurance disputes using our legal service.