Car stolen start new job Tuesday..help please!

[ShellsBells76]

I just not sure what to do and I'm not thinking straight so need some advice.

I'm due to start a new job on Tuesday. I've waited a long time to get a term time role locally so was very pleased.

Early hours of Friday morning our car was stolen. We only have one car and the job is driving only due to the location, plus I would be dropping younger DD at school and going straight there.

Our insurance only provide courtesy cars for accidents/repairs not stolen cars

So far this weekend due to our car being found and recovered albeit a wreck we have spent over £1000, they are anticipating we will be without a car for 2 weeks and having worked out the cost of hiring a car privately or getting taxis we just can't afford it.

What do I do? If I tell my employer I can only imagine how negatively it's going to look I just can't believe the timing. I haven't slept since Friday...I am having panic attacks which I've never suffered from as I think they will come back to try to steal the car again as they weren't successful and the police said they steal to order so I keep thinking once the cars repaired they'll come back for it....sorry I'm rambling..what would you think of a new employee telling you this?

[Ohsolomio]

Just get to work love

[Waitingonasmiley42]

Do you have any chance of being accepted for a credit card or loan? If you need a car for two weeks then hiring one and putting on a credit card could be an option.

[Squeakyheart]

Having just hired a car I would look into taxis as might be cheaper but you would need to book in advance as its there busier time! Otherwise can you fall on the mercy of friends or other school parents for DD drop off and look at car share schemes for you? Or cycle from home/ DD school?

[INeedNewShoes]

Do you need the car to carry out the job or just to get to the office? If the latter you must use public transport (or combination of taxi/lift from someone/walking/public transport) to get there if remotely possible. If not you'll have to hire a car.

If you need a car for the job I'd get in touch and ask the employer's advice. They might have something in place for providing a car.

[Xiaoxiong]

If it's local can you not cycle? I was sent on secondment once to a place 15 miles away. It was either three trains and then a bus, or an hour each way on a bike along relatively busy roads. I decided to cycle and it was amazing - I got so fit, I could eat anything I wanted. I would put clothes in my panniers and keep shoes under my desk at the office.

[Woohoo1]

You need to try and use public transport, could your partner take any parental leave to sort out your DD getting to school!?

[Saisong]

Do you have an active local community FB group where you could appeal for a car share? This does come up occasionally on ours - people like to help.

[ShellsBells76]

Thanks for the replies, DH is working from home where he can to help where possible.
Public transport isn't an option due to location.
I'm going to check for any car share options and see if any taxi companies will maybe do a special rate if using them regularly.
I've remembered, in my panic I forgot, that I have a small credit card available, I will check the limit and see if it's enough to hire a car.
Thanks for all the replies, need to calm down and think rationally....these things always happen at the most inconvenient times

[pumpkinpie01]

Why have you spent over a £1000 yourself when you have insurance ? Is that £1000 on recovery and repairs ?

[eurochick]

Do you know anyone who commutes by public transport?I do and I have lent my car to a friend on weekdays before as I wouldn't have been using it. They just had to pay any difference in insurance and the admin fee the insurance co wanted. I think they got me some wine or something to say thank you. I'd do it again for family or another good friend.

[NearlySchoolTimeAgain]

Look at this website for car hire - we got a quote that was loads cheaper than we expected.
www.arguscarhire.com

[OhioOhioOhio]

There are car share websites around here. Would that help?

Yes. Your employer is best to find out after. 'Just get to work love'. That poster nailed it.

[NearlySchoolTimeAgain]

Also don’t take the excess waiver the car hire company offer - buy one independently - www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/car-hire/excess-insurance/

Have a read of that link.

[lightlypoached]

Try this ? It may be cheaper than a regular car hire carclub.easycar.com/

[worknamechanged]

Ask a friend? I’ve often put friends on my insurance when they’ve needed a car in an emergency or when someone’s car was stolen. I can get to work by train if needed.

[FairfaxAikman]

When I was in your situation I bought a cheap banger (old style Micra) and ran it for six months before selling it on for the same as I'd paid for it (£300). Is that an option?

[ShellsBells76]

Thanks again.. I will look at the links.

The excess was what was putting me off the hire car option as it seems to double the cost.

I've asked friends that I can but that's not going to be an option.

I have a small amount on the CC so will put that to the best use I can wether it's hire or taxi.

[ShellsBells76]

Pumpkin...yes on taxi to where the car was dumped and on specialist recovery due to what they do to the car.

[wineytimey]

I'm pretty sure you should be able to get taxis to work, keep the receipts and insurance pays you back. That's what I did when my car was written off but I wasn't entitled to a hire car.

[WinkysTeatowel]

Is your car being repaired now it's been found? If so you should now qualify for a courtesy car as it's no longer 'stolen'.

[itsnowthewaitinggame]

Even if Insurance wouldn't cover a hire car would the repair place loan you one? My garage will usually lend me an old car they have for running around. They don't charge

[anniehm]

Car hire can be very cheap and if you call direct to a local company/franchise and explain the situation they might be able to give an even better price - it's not peak season.

[anniehm]

Use an online waiver policy, far cheaper

[pumpkinpie01]

Your insurers will reimburse you the recovery charges. Is it being repaired in one of your insurers garages ? That garage should provide a courtesy vehicle, it’s when a stolen vehicle is not recovered that you are left without a vehicle while they sort an offer out. If the garage don’t have any courtesy vehicles go on eBay /auto trader today and buy a car for £200-£300.

[ShellsBells76]

Pumpkin- Our insurers were unable to find a garage that had space to repair it so told us to sort it ourselves! So we went to the main dealer we got it from, waiting for the assessment report to go to insurers for them to approve the works...they have limited cars they said and wouldn't give me one until insurers have given them the go ahead to do the works.