Man Learns $65,000 Lesson After His Car Was Stolen During a Test Drive
Andrew Koole
· 4 min read
A 21-year-old Canadian man learned the hard way that selling your car privately online requires a certain amount of caution after trying to sell his uninsured 2017 Mercedes Benz GLE63s on Autotrader.
The man met with two people he thought were potential buyers and agreed to let one of them sit in the front seat. But at the first opportunity, the one shut the SUV’s door and drove off while the other escaped with the vehicle they came in.
The whole scenario took place within 10 minutes.
Regional police are still investigating
, but because the vehicle wasn’t registered, tracking the carjackers
down won’t be easy. What can we learn from his misfortune?
Tips for selling your car safely
First things first: we’re not victim-blaming here. The young man who tried to sell his car is not at fault here—it’s the two thieves who are to blame. That said, there are a few things he could’ve done differently to prevent the end result he now faces.
Meet buyers with a vehicle still covered by car insurance
It’s never a good idea to
leave your car uninsured
, no matter how long you plan to have it. If you’re selling your car, you need to keep your policy intact until the purchase is complete. Whether your policy will reimburse you for theft depends on your policy. But at least you’ll know that if the worst-case scenario happens, the vehicle’s paper trail will help the authorities track it down.
MORE: Car Theft Is Decreasing but Still Accounts for $6.4 Billion in Losses
Choose a secure rendezvous
CTVNews
says Marco, the rightful owner of the vehicle, met with the crooks at a parking lot. While that’s better than meeting at his home, the best place for a private car sale is at a police station. People are much less likely to pull a stunt like these two did with law enforcement nearby, and if they still do, you don’t have to go far for help.
Don’t go to the car sale alone
Marco arrived at the parking lot by himself. When one of the would-be buyers asked to sit in the front seat, Marco kept his hand on the open door. But as soon as a phone call distracted him, the two sped off
If he had come with a friend, the two jerks who stole his car would’ve had a much harder time getting away with it. Arriving with a confident companion would’ve also made any test drive or “front seat check” much safer.
Exchange information at the beginning of the sale
Whenever you get in a car accident, you exchange your driver’s license and insurance information with the people involved in the incident. You should do the same for a car sale.
Having a buyer’s identification numbers will make it next to impossible for them to get away with stealing your car. If you have a friend with you, leave the info with them as you tag along for any
test drives
.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Coverage for car theft
MORE: Are Hackers Taking Advantage of Key Fob Technology to Break Into Cars?
Following these tips can help lower the chances of getting scammed during a private car sale, but they don’t guarantee anything. That’s why it’s a good idea to get comprehensive
car insurance
. Comprehensive coverage pays for theft or damage that’s not related to a collision. Besides having your car stolen, it also covers fire, vandalism, and damage caused by weather.
Have a question about your coverage?
Jerry
’s friendly agents are here to answer your questions and provide advice on the best coverage options. As your life changes, your insurance changes, and Jerry is ready to make those adjustments for you.
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