Who is responsible for stolen vehicle that I left to be repaired?
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Who is responsible for stolen vehicle that I left to be repaired?
I dropped my car off at a repair facility and upon returning to pick it up, the shop asked me if I already moved it. I say no. They then checked the cameras and saw that a strange man had stolen my vehicle. Do I file a claim on my insurance or are they responsible?
Asked on April 25, 2019 under Insurance Law, Maryland
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
The shop is not responsible: a person or business is not liable or responsible for another person's criminal actions, such as someone stealing a car from their lot (unless, that is, you can show they were involved in the theft--e.g., collaborating with the thief). It is the same way that you would not be responsible for medical bills if you had guests at your home and one of them suddenly punched the other, knocking out teeth. It is your insurance, assuming that you have the relevant insurance, which would pay.
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