Understand leaving your ride overnight
It’s something almost every car owner has experienced from time to time; they take their vehicle in for routine maintenance or repairs and their shop finds something that needs a part they don’t have, or the amount of work required can’t be completed in a single day. With collision repair shops it’s pretty much a given that your chariot will have to enjoy a sleepover or more away from home. So what’s to worry about? The shop will keep everything safe and secure, so you won’t have to worry about damage, vandalism or theft — or will you?
The general rule that covers pretty much anything to do with your vehicle when it’s left at a repair centre (with their authorization) is referred to as “care and custody.” Simply put, your shop and its employees are expected to exercise the same care and protection of your property as they would their own, with some notable exceptions. While some people leave their house doors unlocked, and the keys in their vehicle in the driveway, they are expected to bring a more reasonable amount of care when dealing with your stuff. Many consumers are shocked to find out that they’re expected to deal with any vehicle mishaps while at the shop through their own auto insurance policy. Some may understand this if it was something beyond the shop’s control such as a fender bender on their parked vehicle caused by a careless visitor or delivery driver. But it can also include collision damages that happen when employees are road-testing your vehicle. Check that fine print on almost any shop repair order you are required to sign when dropping off your car. It will always include a clause stating you are giving permission for the shop employees to operate your vehicle as required as part of any diagnosis or repair process. It also usually contains a warning that the shop is not responsible for any damage or loss no matter how it happened or who caused it. Remember when you lend your vehicle, you also lend your insurance policy.
Theft is included or at least implied in these waivers, unless it turns out a shop owner or employee was directly responsible for any missing property.
So what can you do to protect your valuables when they are out of your control? First (and especially if you’re not experienced with the shop), ask questions: Where do they park vehicles that are left overnight? Is the area secure, monitored, fenced and locked? If the shop is located in a secluded commercial or industrial district, can they keep your vehicle inside at night? Most quality facilities are used to these questions and will go out of their way to accommodate reasonable requests.
Secondly, don’t tempt fate. If you know your vehicle is going in for an overnight visit, remove any valuables. Leave the laptop or expensive sports gear at home.
Finally, no matter what you sign on a repair order, you can’t waive certain legal rights. If any damage or loss was the full or partial responsibility of your shop, they should step up and make amends for their share. Good shop management that’s interested in customer satisfaction will do this voluntarily, but some will take a little legal prodding.