[Merged] VIA Rail Break-In - BEWARE!!!

I had my vehicle broke into at the VIA Rail train station parking lot this past weekend while away on a trip. I paid my $ 18.00 parking ticket, and parked two spots next to a huge light post that had signs posted on it "security cameras in view". In the end, my vehicle damage has been estimated at
$ 800.00 to repair, and had $1600.00 worth of contents stolen (which was out of view in my glove compartment). And no, locking it in the trunk of my vehicle would have been of no use, because once they gained access into my car, they pushed the trunk release button and gained access into the trunk, which they also went through!! What do I do now?? If I put the claim through my insurance company, both my vehicle premium will go up, as well as my house insurance (because of contents claim). Unfortunately, the back of the parking ticket says that VIA is not responsible in any way of theft or damage to vehicles while parked their, but my argument is, if you pay for a service, it this case parking, and they post security camera signs, shouldn't they be responsible for something?? By the way, I was not the only person who's vehicle got broken into - one of the VIA employees notified me of this.

Originally Posted by stepper17

Unfortunately, the back of the parking ticket says that VIA is not responsible in any way of theft or damage to vehicles while parked their, .

sorry to hear your story but their argument trumps yours
if you make a big enough public fuss about it you may get the "stop making a big deal about this, here's some money" treatment

related article: go transit theft

GO says it simply doesn't have the resources to prevent the rash of thefts, but say they have increased patrols over the last few months. They also claim they add new cameras to their lots every year.

GO also says it has clearly posted signs informing theft victims to call Crime Stoppers or a transit enforcement number.

expect via rail to use the same lame excuse

I got a question, why on earth do you have $1600 worth of stuff in your car? The most expensive thing I've got in their is the gps and even then I don't leave it there if I'm gone for a long period of time. Plus my gps is worth what max $150. Sorry to hear about the break in though. Our's got broken into last year and just lost a gps and a few CD's but we felt violated more so then the loss of the contents.

EDIT: do you have claim forgiveness with your home/tenant insurance? Those come in handy at times.

lesson: don't leave $1600 worth of goods in a car parked in a public place while you're away on a trip.

had you done that, you'd probably only be looking at replacing a car window.

Originally Posted by monty613

lesson: don't leave $1600 worth of goods in a car parked in a public place while you're away on a trip.

had you done that, you'd probably only be looking at replacing a car window.

First of all, I had my GPS and my IPOD touch (battery died in the IPOD, which is why I didn't bring it with me), in my glove compartment, secondly, my 6 year old daughter without my knowing, left her Nintendo DSi behind in the car. Thirdly my window was not broken, they took a screw driver to my door handle of my car, made a hole, yes a hole, and gained access in. I AM NOT THROUGH WITH VIA RAIL YET!!!!

I think that if you complain loud enough they'll compensate you.

Remember that most restaurants post the disclaimer outside of the coat check area, guess what ... they ARE responsible.

Brent

Made a hole with a screwdriver...that sounds so brutal! I don't think VIA is responsible, request that copies of the video camera footage gets sent to the police. Just because they have security cameras doesn't mean they guarantee safety. I'm not a lawer so I'm not sure on the exact legalities.

Good luck anyways though and next time even if the battery is dead, bring those valubles with you!

I'm assuming you already filed a police report.

Originally Posted by stepper17

What do I do now?? If I put the claim through my insurance company, both my vehicle premium will go up, as well as my house insurance (because of contents claim).

No it won't. Vehicle premiums and house premiums do not go up under do not go up due to comprehensive claims.

Originally Posted by stepper17

First of all, I had my GPS and my IPOD touch (battery died in the IPOD, which is why I didn't bring it with me), in my glove compartment, secondly, my 6 year old daughter without my knowing, left her Nintendo DSi behind in the car. Thirdly my window was not broken, they took a screw driver to my door handle of my car, made a hole, yes a hole, and gained access in. I AM NOT THROUGH WITH VIA RAIL YET!!!!

How is a GPS and iPod and a DSI worth $1600? Is the GPS coated in solid gold?

Things like these happen everyday at TTC and GO Transit lots and cry all you want but you dont have any other choice than to fix it yourself. I feel for you but this is the fact.

Why would you leave $1600 worth of contents in your vehicle in a parking lot over the weekend?

Originally Posted by dawgbone

Why would you leave $1600 worth of contents in your vehicle in a parking lot over the weekend?

Bang on.

Because of events like this we are told never to leave our work laptop in the car...even if stopping for groceries on the way home or for lunch with a client. We have had far too many laptops etc stolen.

Next time leave the car at home and take a cab or public transit to the train station. Too late to do anything about this now. Why did you leave something so valuable in the car anyway? You obviously didn't need it on your trip.

I heard it's better to open your console/glove compartment and leave it empty when you have your car in a suspicous area. That way if some punk is looking for cars to break into and they see your compartments open with nothing worthwhile to steal, then they'll just move onto the next car.

Originally Posted by brunes

No it won't. Vehicle premiums and house premiums do not go up under do not go up due to comprehensive claims.



How is a GPS and iPod and a DSI worth $1600? Is the GPS coated in solid gold?

I smell fraud...

Originally Posted by brunes

No it won't. Vehicle premiums and house premiums do not go up under do not go up due to comprehensive claims.



How is a GPS and iPod and a DSI worth $1600? Is the GPS coated in solid gold?

No, $600 is for content and $1000 it's for pain and suffering.

Seriously, if he claimed $1600 for content that's worth considerably less.

He deserved to have his premiums increase on renewal date.