Auto Insurance Claims: Preflight parking lot, preflight parking, inadequate lighting

Question
We parked in a Preflight parking lot (offsite airport parking)for 10 days when we went out of town. While we were gone 5 vehicles were broken into...ours was one of them. The Preflight employees filed a police report and gave us a copy. They also gave us about 14 days in free parking coupons as compensation. Our vehicle has well over $1,000 in damage, at least. Wouldn't Preflight have insurance that would cover this type of scenario? The police said they have inadequate lighting and security and it's not the first time it has happened. I'm assuming they don't want to file a claim w/their insurance to keep their costs down. Should we have our attorney send a letter to Preflight's corporate office demanding compensation for repairs? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Cari,

Yes. Wen you pay for parking you have an expectation that they will use due care to protect your vehicle. If there is a pattern of prior break-ins that they are aware of and is is due in part to poor lighting, then they would be considered to be negligent for not correcting a known hazardous condition. You should have your attorney sent a letter making those points along with an estimate for the cost of repairs.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh