Friends car broken into at Fairfield Inn

[DisneySuiteFreak]

OMG, one of my friends just came back from DL and she told me that her car window was smashed in and her GPS was stolen right in the middle of the parking lot where everyone could see. She said she wasn't parked in a dark area or anything like that. She stayed one night only and came back from the park to find this damage. The bad thing is the car was a rental. EVen if her CC covers all damage to the car, she will still be charged for the amount of time the car is out of service for repair, along with taxes and fees. And if the rate goes up during that time, she has to pay the higher rate. Fairfield Inn didn't have any security tapes, videos or any people around apparantly since her car was wide out in the open. It's making me afraid to stay there now. I asked her "why did you leave your GPS in the car?" She said it was a rental from the rental agency so she didn't even think to take it out. And because she was parked right in front of the hotel out in the open for anyone to see. She said she didn't know how it could be possible that no one saw anything! I'm so sad Hojos is completely sold out when I'm there. They have security in carts roaming around the property so it always made me feel safe.

 

[SeattleTink]

This is really a shame. I feel for your friend.

But, honestly....any time you leave ANY valuables in plain sight you are asking for trouble. If you live in an urban area, you know that this happens all the time.

I don't blame the Fairfield at all. This can happen in front of your own house.

Never leave purses, cameras, Ipods, or anything of value in plain sight in a car...theives love this and it is way to easy to break a window and steal things out of a car.

Tough lesson to learn.

 

[f15robyn]

Does your friend have a car at home with insurance covereage? If so, she should check with her insurance agency. Because when I travel, my auto insurance covers my rental car (and I therefore decline their insurance when I check out the rental car).

Just a thought....

 

[wdwrich]

I have to agree (I have a law enforcement background). Never leave anything that even looks like it might be of value in plain sight in your parked vehicle anywhere!

 

[Ken2Blitzkrieg]

This is really a shame. I feel for your friend.

But, honestly....any time you leave ANY valuables in plain sight you are asking for trouble. If you live in an urban area, you know that this happens all the time.

I don't blame the Fairfield at all. This can happen in front of your own house.

Never leave purses, cameras, Ipods, or anything of value in plain sight in a car...theives love this and it is way to easy to break a window and steal things out of a car.

Tough lesson to learn.

+1
shame really but ya should never leave anything valuable

 

[Stacerita]

There was a story on the news the other day that there is an increase in car thefts. People need to make sure they hide anything valuable to take it out of the car. Leaving it in out in the open is an invitation. And it doesn't matter where you park, or how safe you think because its day time or out in the open. If someone wants it, they will take it.

Sorry that happened to your friend.

 

[momrek06]

OMG, one of my friends just came back from DL and she told me that her car window was smashed in and her GPS was stolen right in the middle of the parking lot where everyone could see. She said she wasn't parked in a dark area or anything like that. She stayed one night only and came back from the park to find this damage. The bad thing is the car was a rental. EVen if her CC covers all damage to the car, she will still be charged for the amount of time the car is out of service for repair, along with taxes and fees. And if the rate goes up during that time, she has to pay the higher rate. Fairfield Inn didn't have any security tapes, videos or any people around apparantly since her car was wide out in the open. It's making me afraid to stay there now. I asked her "why did you leave your GPS in the car?" She said it was a rental from the rental agency so she didn't even think to take it out. And because she was parked right in front of the hotel out in the open for anyone to see. She said she didn't know how it could be possible that no one saw anything!

Sorry to hear about your friend, OP. This happened to us while visiting NYC. We had a rental and our car was stolen right out of the hotel parking lot WHICH was gated...had one of those arms that comes down...well they drove right around the arm, up over and through bushes/landscaping. We were so confused in the morning as DH kept asking me "where exactly did we park the car last night"....police were called. A report was made. They found the car months later in Newark stripped of everything.

We had used our AMEX card to rent the car and they handled it all for us. We did have all the necessary coverage. AND Enterprise came to the hotel and drop off a brand new rental that same day.

Now we did not have a GPS in the car...but I have rented cars since that incident and every car rental agency has been very clear about putting the GPS in a safe place when you exit the car either in the car (trunk, glove box, under the seat) or take it into your hotel room.

My DS works in insurance and it is one of the most stolen items ever.

Again, sorry about your friend.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Does your friend have a car at home with insurance covereage? If so, she should check with her insurance agency. Because when I travel, my auto insurance covers my rental car (and I therefore decline their insurance when I check out the rental car).

Just a thought....

I do the same and I also have insurance through my CC company. None of them cover the replacement value of what the car rental company would have made while the car was being repaired. It'll pay for the repairs, and damage to vehicle. Personal insurance covers me liability wise. But none cover the replacement value of time lost as a rental. I advise everyone to double check their insurance. I did after my friends incident and now I'm concerned. All these years I've been renting and never gave that part of it a second thought. I've heard of othes who experienced the same as my friend (regarding the no insurance for time lost) so it's not an isolated incident. Years ago when I inquired at my insurance agency they said I was covered for everything just like at home. But now that's no longer the case. I guess the car rental company's found another way to make more money off of us. I've heard horror stories of people being way over charged for the loss of time/use of the vehicle. Like it takes a month for the repair company to get around to fixing the car. Then they fix it and find something else wrong. And all that time that passes is just added to the tab. Then they claim that they were sold out during the entire time the car was out of service so they could have rented at a premium so they charge the renter that price. Then tey add on all the taxes and fees. Nuts!

My friends bill is probably going to be huge. Poor thing...

 

[DangerMouse]

One thing I appreciate about the HoJo is that they have Security guards constantly walking the grounds/parking lots. They actually will call you in your hotel room if they see that there is something left in your car that might attract someone to break into it.

 

[Canyon girl]

Before renting a car in Sept. 2007, I did a lot of research on this subject of time lost. There is an insurance through the rental company that covers this type of thing. They don't offer this insurance, you have to ask for it. I know it is pricey, but it takes the unknown out of the equation. I don't remember what it was called, but the understanding with customer service and the rental desk was that if I got this insurance, I would walk away from the car no matter what happened to it. There would be no extra "out of service" fees or anything. It wasn't cheap, but for a country girl driving in the city, it was soooooo worth it!

 

[jemilah]

Very common problem here in Vegas......a friend who owns a auto glass shop said to not leave the accessories for the gps no suction cup cables ect. as thieves will think you just stashed it in the car and break in to look for it under the seats or glove box. It happens alot here at 7-11's they smash and grab so do be lulled by security patrols they can be in and out in a minute.

 

[babnak]

You have to make sure you have car rental coverage through your personal insurance. They pay for your rental while the rental is being repaired. It is there but it is a coverage you pay extra for with some insurance companies. Sad story, I hope she works out the bill some how.

 

[f15robyn]

...None of them cover the replacement value of what the car rental company would have made while the car was being repaired.... I've heard horror stories of people being way over charged for the loss of time/use of the vehicle. Like it takes a month for the repair company to get around to fixing the car. Then they fix it and find something else wrong. And all that time that passes is just added to the tab. Then they claim that they were sold out during the entire time the car was out of service so they could have rented at a premium so they charge the renter that price. Then tey add on all the taxes and fees. Nuts!

My friends bill is probably going to be huge. Poor thing...

I had never heard of such a thing. But I'll be renting a car in May when we go. The reservation has been booked since early Feb. So I called the rental company today that I'll be using in May (actually the only one I ever use, even in other countries).

The customer service rep (not a reservation rep) had also never heard of such a thing at her company. She guaranteed me that if something happens to my rental such that it can't be driven any more, their policy is that that car is no longer being rented by me (of course the entire subject of who pays for the repairs themselves depends on insurance, etc) and that I would NOT be charged for the "rental" of the car while it's being repaired.

As a matter of fact, she said that they'd have a replacement delivered to me, where ever I was staying.

Now, this is probably not the least expensive rental car company out there. But I get a deal through my employer that I'm allowed to use for both work and personal travel. And it's always worth it to me to pay a little more to do business with a reputable company.

At least I feel better having researched this topic specifically.

 

[Lakewood]

Sorry to hear, that sucks.
They don't call it Anacrime without a reason...

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I had never heard of such a thing. But I'll be renting a car in May when we go. The reservation has been booked since early Feb. So I called the rental company today that I'll be using in May (actually the only one I ever use, even in other countries).

The customer service rep (not a reservation rep) had also never heard of such a thing at her company. She guaranteed me that if something happens to my rental such that it can't be driven any more, their policy is that that car is no longer being rented by me (of course the entire subject of who pays for the repairs themselves depends on insurance, etc) and that I would NOT be charged for the "rental" of the car while it's being repaired.

As a matter of fact, she said that they'd have a replacement delivered to me, where ever I was staying.

Now, this is probably not the least expensive rental car company out there. But I get a deal through my employer that I'm allowed to use for both work and personal travel. And it's always worth it to me to pay a little more to do business with a reputable company.

At least I feel better having researched this topic specifically.

Which rental company did you go through if you don't mind my asking? Thanks! I have an expensive car rental coming up, so I don't want to be worried about this kind of nickel and diming.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

One thing I appreciate about the HoJo is that they have Security guards constantly walking the grounds/parking lots. They actually will call you in your hotel room if they see that there is something left in your car that might attract someone to break into it.

Me too! That's why I'm so bummed they are sold out for my dates.

 

[Quilter007]

My insurance agent says to always get the "LDW" insurance just in case something like this happens. You might want to call your agent & check.

Katrina

 

[curiouser]

It's called CDW coverage. We are renting from Midway starting this Friday and they offer it on their website. They are very clear on their site FAQ that the State of California allows car companies to legally charge for any downtime costs incurred from damage, etc. The CWD coverage for our 8 day rental is $72 and to us, very worth it in the event that something happens.

 

[brenda1966]

Check with the credit card you use to pay for the rental car. Some of them cover this "loss of use" fee that the car rental agencies charge.

When we stayed at Hojo's several years ago, someone's car was broken into overnight. We saw the results the next morning -- auto glass all over the parking lot. It is a prime location for smash and grab.

 

[PortieOwner]

I have relatives who successfully sued a motel for damages after their car was broken into--it turned out that break-ins to guest cars was a nearly nightly event but the motel had made no efforts to protect their parking lot.