h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

went to Bristol for a course - stayed with a friend. Little was staying with another friend near home. On the way there, I wondered what would happen if I got wiped out in a crash. I'm not normally given to that type of thinking. I also fantasised about getting a new car - an Audi Quattro.

She wasn't expecting me until *next* weekend. Thought about parking in a different place to normal, as it was a bit dark, but didn't. Thought of leaving my stereo front in as I thought it would be safe. Decided to remove it and put it into the glove compartment as usual. In the morning, I saw the windscreen wipers were up - strange. Then I saw the door lock had been broken - and there was debris inside. The police station was closed, as we found out when we stopped by. My friend took me to my course and called in on the Police on the way back. They thought that they needed my key to get into the car to fingerprint it; they didn't - the thief had broken the central locking, so it was dead easy to get in the car. They said they would come the next day to fingerprint, which they did. My friend drove me to and from the course again. I telephoned the friend who was looking after little and told her I may not make it back in time to pick him up.

The AA arrived the next day and told me the car was undriveable. The steering was broken in addition to the ignition and the locking system. I was told the insurance company would probably write off the car, as the cost of taking it home was so high, plus the cost of the repairs, so it was probably uneconomic to repair it. Apparently, Bristol is about the car crime capital of the UK. They couldn't take me home, because it wasn't a breakdown, so I had to catch a train. There were railway works on the line and part of it was closed so it took me an extra hour to get to Paddington, where Roy met me. The ticket didn't allow me to go on the Tube, so I found out! When we got to London Bridge, I found there was no train to my station so we had to get a taxi - £30.

The claims section of the insurance company was shut by this time. I phoned the next today (today) - very difficult to get through, as no doubt they were dealing with quite a few claims from the weekend. They will contact my friend, see the car and take it into safe storage, where they will assess whether or not it is economically viable to mend the car. Meanwhile, I'm travelling by bus.

Really sorry to hear about this ZSF. What a mess! I hope nothing else was taken.

Its Heathrow Airport Syndrome, isn't it? Everything is fine so long as nothing goes wrong. Then when something does go wrong, all hell breaks loose.

Thanks, Woodpigeon. Well, in the end, nothing was taken. I thought they had taken the front of the radio/cassette from the glove compartment, but the AA man found the box and the front had been thrown in the bushes. Presumably thieves go for car CDs these days, and I didn't have one.

So now I'm wondering what sort of new(er) car I might have and where I would get it from.

Oh, My!

I am so sorry for your trials and tribulations, but from where I am sitting I can only say thank goodness you are , little still has a Mum, and you might get a nice car

Sounds like you did everything right, so there shouldn't be a problem, hopefully. Bit of an expensive trip travelwise though.

Were you in a fit state for your course?

Got to but will come back 2moro and see how you are.



Websailor

Still, that's what you pay insurance for. Let's hope they cough up a decent amount and you can get yourself a nice car.

I was feeling a bit shaky at the beginning of the course, but they told me I couldn't be in a better place. Funnily enough, I found towards lunchtime, talking about it, my words got muddled for a time and I sounded a bit drunk. It was a strange feeling - knowing the words I wanted to use and not being able to enunciate them. It happened again when I was trying to say the word 'immobiliser' to the AA man. I started talking in gibberish!

Yes, I am hoping the insurance company will cough up a reasonable sum of money. Mum and dad have offered to help with the cost of a newer car - they've stressed that I get a reliable one, and this one has served me really well over the years. It was the first car I test drove when I was looking for a car before and each time I drove by it after that, it seemed to say to me, 'I'm still here!' When one day it wasn't, I panicked and then saw it had been moved to the back. I hadn't found anything better, so I bought it. It's the first car I haven't given a name to.

I'm glad you and little are ok!

Yup, Bristol is a nightmare for car crime.

I'm now trying to figure out how to get little to his half tern play centre next week. It isn't easily accessible by public transport - at least two buses - plus I have appointments which finish lateish. Car hir is quite expensive and the pick up points are not local.

Won't your insurance company provide you with a replacement car?

They should do.

Yes, I agree they should provide me with a replacement car, however they've told me that they won't unless the car is deemed repairable, and then the repair centre will give me one. I don't quite understand the logic.

Traveller in Time thinking about the days in field service
"I have had such several times, and on occasion a temporary leased car. Well the latter was by the lease company who provided the first car also.

Only the repairing garage will hire a spare car for you. Well it makes some sense, you can collect your car and return theirs, the insurance only gets one repair bill.

And if it is beyond repair, you do not have a car anymore, What kind of insurance did you have ? An insurance on transportation or one about the car?"

It's a good question, TiT and at the moment it's looking like an insurance on the car, not on transportation.

Very dear ZSF.

So very sorry to hear about the break-in with your motor car. Isn't it strange that you were thinking about another car!!

Well, I do hope that you get what you want, and that they pay you bafck for the extra fares etc. they should

With ing thoughts

AR1

They've decided it's a write-off, AR1! As far as I can see, I won't get any money back for my fares or car hire (I'm hiring a car next week, as there's no way I'll get little to his holiday playscheme, and it's too late to cancel it - I wouldn't get my money back, and I have work appointments that I've committed to.

I'm not sure how long the process is, however I am grateful to mum and dad for offering to chip in on the cost of another car. Our QM2 holiday wiped out my savings and I didn't expect to have to replace the car for another couple of years. As it is, I'm getting excited about the thought of a newer car.

Wow.
Other words rescape me.

I've decided to be positive about it. Moaning isn't going to move me forward, although it's always good to vent occasionally.

Now got a hire car for the week, which means I can take little to the half term playclub. It's a Vauxhall Corsa - tiny boot, but roomy enough in the front - not a lot of room in the back, but for little , it's not a problem. Steers beautifully and turns on a sixpence.

Glad you are mobile again

Take care,

Websailor