We went back to Canada today. The police were quite apologetic about the fact that no one reached out to us from their end. They did call our insurance guy. That is how we found out. The claims adjuster called us to call them and then call him back.
We were afraid that it would take weeks of bullshitting around to get the car back. The impound guy could not even tell us whether there was damage or if it was drivable.
There are some real peculiarities to this story that I am too tired to go into right now, but the computer/sat nav stuff has been ripped out. The windshield will need replaced. They backed into something. Our license plate is gone (although the police officer noted that it was removed from the car and laying on the rear side passenger seat...)
The police released it to us, so I guess the investigative part is done. I can't tell you anything about that because the officer who should have called us but didn't is away on vacation.
The impound guy refused to let us take it out because there was no plate on it. We dro e back to the police who called the impound people to say there should have been a plate, that the officer specifically said so, and pointed out that they were the authority not him. Then we drove 20 minutes back to the impound lot, where the guy released the car, writing on the paperwork that it was not to be driven.
You know, it is funny. I guess maybe I was too surprised be mad, but seeing that car totally ripped apart and our dirty laundry thrown everywhere, the car filthy with greasy hands, an unknown own white liquid splashed everywhere...well...I guess I am mad.
Tim drove it home, despite Mr Impound's clearly written instructions not to drive it. He was following me because I had the Sat Nav. At the border, I handed my license out, explained what had happened briefly and said that the vehicle behind me had no license plate and that Tim had the police documentation. She didn't even blink. She said that all she had to do was record the VIN for the Lexus. As if stuff like this happened every day.
That made me a little mad too.
We are home now. Road weary and frazzled. We drove 3 hours with no plate on the car. Still amazes me.
Insurance adjuster is coming to the house tomorrow.
My favorite shoes were in the back, believe it or not.
The lines were snaked at the rental. Again. 3rd time in six weeks. I think we have a painful decision to make.
Totally burned out tonight.
Oh, Debby, what an incredibly exhausting, violating, and frustrating day. You have every single right to be absolutely furious! Seeing your car torn apart, filthy, and your personal things tossed around is a horrible feeling, and the bureaucratic runaround between the police and the impound lot is just the icing on a very bad cake.
ReplyDeleteIt is mind-blowing that the border patrol didn't even blink at a plateless Lexus, but I am so incredibly glad that you and Tim made it back across safely. Pour yourselves a massive glass of wine (or whatever your comfort drink of choice is tonight), leave the frazzled energy at the door, and let the insurance adjuster handle the heavy lifting tomorrow. Take care.
As Matt says, it's such a violation to have someone trash YOUR car and belongings--that they have no right to! I would also be infuriated. I'm glad that that part of the nightmare is over although there is so much more to deal with. And the rental on top of that! I do think that a painful decision will have to be made; you don't have any choice at this point. I'm sad for the woman but it's probably for the best in the long term. :(
ReplyDeleteWell, the car sounds salvageable without too much trouble, although replacing the sat nav etc sounds very expensive and maybe it is beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteI'm really surprised that you received the car under those conditions. As for conditions , you wonder what kinds of pigs are out there to make such a mess in a short time.
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