Questionhi, my boyfriend and I bought a car and it was stolen on 8/? and recovered on 8/?. I purchased the car for $10k, a week or 2 before it was stolen. I have bill of sale/title. it is in my name. I transferred my insurance over from my old car but didn't register the car yet, because it was at the shop getting painted. I planned on registering afterwards. My boyfriend is not on my policy and my car was stolen at a body shop. SIU is now involved and it has been over 30 days and no updates. they say my car is worth $3000 (which is true without mods), but the previous owner did a lot of work to it (expensive engine,transmission,etc) and that is why i paid so much for it. i can't find the receipts. SIU record statement from me,boyfriend and the guy who sold me the car. i gave him all the paperwork he wants. i want the bodyshop insurance to pay for everything but it seems out of reach. not sure why the shop isn't responsible as car was in their possession. My insurance never contacted their insurance either. i don't know why. how long can SIU take? anything else i can do? also, my boyfreind is the one who called the police (shop didn't call..i suspect inside job). he got a recorded statement from shop employee (with cop presence) employee stating he saw a female entering my car. he didn't stop her because he didn't know it was my car. i gave the recording to SIU as well. i am the victim and i feel as SIU is treating me as a suspect. i also paid for all the body work/paint UPFRONT before the job was completed and now the car is stolen. gave the invoice to SIU and they also verify car isn't completed. i am out a lot of my savings. i feel like there is no justice. i bought a nice car wanted it to look new. that is why i brought it to the shop. why would SIU think i am a suspect? I was also notified that i need to go under oath. what is involved with that and do i need a lawyer? please advise me to the right path. thank you in advance.
Answer Hello J ...
The issues here are far too complicated to cover by email. Having said that, allow me to give you some insight into the workings of SIU.
Claims that are considered "out of the ordinary" are routinely referred to SIU for further investigation. Your claim could very well fit into this category for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the issue that you have not registered the car in your name. The question is, do you have an "insurable interest" in the car? Is it your's to lose? Those are likely the types of questions that they are exploring.
You have other problems - not being able to locate receipts, a dispute as to value, and the suggestion that this could be an "inside job". For all of these reasons, it is not outrageous for the SIU be to be investigating your claim at a level deeper than the standard claim investigation.
None of this necessarily means you are a "suspect". It simply means your claim is complicated.
If you feel more comfortable taking a lawyer with you, by all means do so. But understand that your lawyer really has no speaking part at the Examination Under Oath (EUO). He is there only to protect you. You, on the other hand, are obligated to testify at the EUO and to provide whatever information they require.
If you go on my websites, notably InsuranceExpertAdvice.com, you will find a variety of free articles which should help you to understand the duties of an SIU and how it affects claims.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Jane Pytel
http://InsuranceExpertAdvice.com
http://SolutionsForYourInsuranceClaim.com
http://FloridaAutoInsuranceCentral.com
