Thieves stole my Trailer.... Learn from my mistakes

REDLYNER

REDLYNER

Mall Crawling Race Rig
Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Location
Mountain Island
So my 16' Kaufman car trailer was stolen from a security code locked 7' tall fenced dry storage lot in my neighborhood. The security code is only given out to home owners in my neighborhood (that pay hoa fees) and we only have ~400 homes in our lake community. The code is changed annually and only trailers are stored in this lot. Let's say there are between 60 and 80 trailers there.

Lessons you can learn from me:
I used to lock my trailer at the hitch, in addition to it being in a locked storage area. I stopped doing that about a year ago. Would that have prevented it from being stolen? Maybe....

Insurance is not covering it because it was not in my driveway.
  • If the trailer were in front of my house, it wouldn't have mattered, still not in my driveway (hoa rules state no trailers in your driveway).
  • If I were parked at a trail head and someone took it off of my SUV, still wouldn't be covered.
Only way insurance will pay is if you have it listed with one of your auto policy vehicles.



Learn from me, go make sure you trailer is covered for theft outside of your driveway. Throw a lock on there too. This was a $2000 lesson: I thought I was covered by insurance and safe in my locked storage area. I was wrong.

:mad:
 
That sucks, Jay. Sorry to hear it. I'll double check our policy...
 
That sucks dude, I hate to here that.
I keep a tongue lock on my trailers and a lock on receiver as well, I don't trust anyone.
Anyway that you could just say the trailer was at your house?
 
Blaze said:
Sue your HOA. I'm sure they have the money.
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do what!?...this reminds me of the "free" phones Obama's giving out.

sucks Jay. I always have mine locked a the hitch, in my backyard. When you say insurance, you mean homeowner's, not auto, right? I better check my policy.
 
Wow, that's some bull****! I bet a quick call from a lawyer would clear this all up real quick.
 
I am playing the dice game of insurance rider vs. self-insure...I got some expensive hobbies. I could have a rider or inland marine for all my tools, photo gear, boat stuff, trailers, wife's jewelry, etc....but I'd pay so much every year for every add-on, it's cheaper to self-insure. Same as the protection policies when you buy electronics....I probably turn down a total of several hundred bucks in equipment protection each year...that's enough to replace at least one item, phone, or whatever.

I just take care of my stuff, keep it locked down, alarm and video systems set, etc. I usually try and block my trailers in the yard with one of my trucks or the car. At least they'd have to work at it to steal something.
 
I'm going to call my insurance company tomorrow to find out about mine. I asked when I got the trailer about insurance, and was told the insurance on the towing vehicle covered it. But I wonder if it is covered from theft when it is parked at my house. I park it in my side yard, which is fenced in, with two locks on it.
 
RenegadeT said:
do what!?...this reminds me of the "free" phones Obama's giving out.

sucks Jay. I always have mine locked a the hitch, in my backyard. When you say insurance, you mean homeowner's, not auto, right? I better check my policy.
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I was joking. :lol:
 
After the tow truck broke down in a questionable area, I added my trailer to my auto policy, $2500 stated amount for $18/yr w/ a comp ded of $50 & coll ded for $100. Completey covered now, no matter what.
 
lefty said:
After the tow truck broke down in a questionable area, I added my trailer to my auto policy, $2500 stated amount for $18/yr w/ a comp ded of $50 & coll ded for $100. Completey covered now, no matter what.
Click to expand...

That is what I'll have on the new trailer, I was unaware of that coverage option before. I was told it was covered as personal property under my home owners, which it is, but only parked in my driveway. I was under the impression it was covered, I was wrong.
 
No kidding .... sue the HOA. They force you to keep your belongings somewhere other than on your property, in a place they provide, then do not keep it safe.
I can see them being liable.

Wouldn't hurt to ask a lawyer a question or 3 about the insurance and the HOA liability.

Matt
 
If it is ur parking spot that came with your house i would push the issue that it was on your property. Tech you are the hoa and your dues pay for that spot.
 
Your dues are partially to include safe storage of your trailer. They are responsible just like if your car was stolen at a mechanics shop they would be responsible.
 
Their policy states that they are not liable for anything parked in the lot- I haven't contacted a lawyer yet (I have access through my company). I'm still waiting on the poilce to call me (I have been assigned a detective) and I'm still waiting on a call back from the HOA Management company.
 
If a "statement that they are not responsible" just keeps 50% of folks from pursuing a claim, the cost of the sign was well worth it.
 
I can tell you this I just got off of my HOA board and we carry insurance for these kinds of things. We don't have a parking area but we have a common area that we have insurance on. The HOA owns the property so they have to have insurance on it just like you and I have to have insurance on our Homes. I would be very surprised if they don't have something. Good luck and I hope they help you out somehow.
 
W 400 homes and 60-80 trailers stored at this HOA facility I would think they would have some security cameras!!......I live on a quiet cul de sac outside city limits and feel somewhat safe from theives because some neighbors all around are usually home during the daytime. However a family on the corner w a well traveled road was robbed of valuables while away by a gang of theives that went door to door that day soliciting some bogus home security BS and actually asking if they could come inside and give an estimate for installing a system in your residence!! I wish I had been home at the time 2 years ago. I heard from a deputy that this is happening all over the country w gangs who knock on doors pretending to solicit all kinds of stuff when they are really scoping out potential targets. The usually have a van w some bogus co. signage and it drops off and then pics up the theives after the smash and grab in minutes and are gone. I have a boat w an expensive 4 stroke outboard near the top of my driveway easily accessable from the street and I have a logging chain and large padlock lock around the axle/frame and a large tree, along w a tounge lock just to be sure my insured boat is'nt stolen.
 
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