They broke my Tig!

[Arctra]

So I just got back from a week's leave in the Snowies, and whilst I was playing a game of hockey someone smashed the drivers side window on my 3 month old Tig It was a clear smash and grab as they only managed to get the GPS, sunnies, and camera (which was hidden in the center consol), and reverse parking screen. I guess the fact that it was near the road in broad daylight was the reason they didn't totally ransack the car.

Anyway, called O'Brien about getting it replaced and they said they'd need to get an OEM window from a dealer and they couldn't do it today. They couldn't give me a price either. Anyone had to replace theirs yet and have an idea about what the damage will be? The excess on my insurance is $600 so I'm guessing the repair is coming out of my own pocket.

I'm just grateful they only took what they did and didn't take the car. Also glad I have secure parking at home and work so don't have to be concerned about the car being stolen while I wait for the repair. It has also convinced me to get a built in GPS headunit which I'm hoping will be less attractive to break in for.

[mikinoz]

Pricks. I felt pretty safe in Five Dock, but the bastards come from everywhere to get whatever trinkets they can sell for smack.

Lucky it did not rain and get wet!

[Sharkie]

Very sorry to hear about the break Actra ...

This is the exact reason I've fitted the Alarm from VW as it has many internal motion sensors and would have gone off loudly to prevent them stealing anything. Would not have prevented the window break though ...

Also, it is very unlikely they would have been able to steal the car as it has an immobiliser as standard and without the key cannot be driven. Park it anywhere you like, it will still be there, the contents may be gone though !

[Pullstarter]

That sux ass Arctra Damn scumbags are everywhere

I'm not sure if your insurance policy is the same but with mine I get a free windscreen or any other window replaced free of charge (no excess) once per year. May be worth asking your insurance co.

[clip]

very sorry to hear that arctra. Seems there's more and more lowlifes out there now just waiting for an opportunity to destroy other people's property and take what isn't theirs - like somehow the world owes them and they have the right to do this sort of crap! And even when they get caught, all they get is this when what they really need is this: then this

[Arctra]

Pics

I didn't think to take photo's at the time (funnily enough, had a few other things on my mind) but this is the cleaned up aftermath:


You can see the wires from where they ripped the GPS, phone charger, and reversing camera screen out.




Some of the glass on the back footwell. There's glass in the seat rails and everything too.... hmmmm, crunchy.

I was quite surprised at how much glass there was! I tried my hardest to clean the glass off the seats before driving home, but I think there has been some minor scuffing to the leather I'll be trying to clean up as much of the remaining glass today with vacuum and soft cloths, but there is glass everywhere. Think I'm going to have to take it to be detailed somewhere reputable. Also hope whoever replaces the window cleans up all the glass that's fallen down into the door.

As for insurance claims, apparently I did not opt for the window protection, so no free replacement for me

Thanks for the sympathies guys.

[Driven Threads]

Bad luck mate. That really sux. Lowest forms of human life they are!! Hope you can get it repaired quickly and easily. Cheers.

[Tim]

if there is damage to the leather claim it on insurance

[Sanman]

Tough luck.
Good they didn't damage any paint though.
Some upper brands offer a unbreakable side glass (nitrile sandwich) which would be far more useful an option than tint, though I suspect that would not sit well in potential buyer's minds.
The Tiguan has deadlock, which means the lock rods are frozen, but more importantly, the inner door handles cannot be opened to get free access to your goodies. I couldn't understand from the manual if it was on by default, or you had to do something special with the keyfob.

[Arctra]

Interesting Sanman. Nice to know there is good security there.

Funny enough, I was wondering whether tinting would strengthen the glass at all and make it more difficult to break? I presume the tint is basically a plastic laminate? It's not going to make the window unbreakable I know, but it might have prevented them from being able to snatch stuff from inside the car, even if they broke/cracked the window.

[Maverick]

The Tiguan has deadlock, which means the lock rods are frozen, but more importantly, the inner door handles cannot be opened to get free access to your goodies. I couldn't understand from the manual if it was on by default, or you had to do something special with the keyfob.

Pretty well every VAG car has deadlocks enabled by default hence why the manual warns not to lock the car with anyone inside as they can't operate the windows nor can they open the doors.

[WannaTig]

Bastards.
Sorry to hear this; there are far too many asshats around.
Hope it all gets fixed quick so this is just a bad memory.

[goodfella]

So I just got back from a week's leave in the Snowies, and whilst I was playing a game of hockey someone smashed the drivers side window on my 3 month old Tig

Dean, so sorry to hear, its the biggest gut wrentching feeling walking to your car and seeing the broken window! So where exactly did this happen, ie Snowies-Five Dock- or hockey field? Just curious.

This has happened to me when we were living down Parra' road in Summer Hill. My mazda was a typical snatch and grab job as well as the drivers window was smashed and pushed in, I assume the tinting did stop it from shattering fully. And my car was only 5 weeks old!!!

I feared the worst a few weeks back when I noticed 2 distinct handprints in the morning frost on the rear passenger window.... somebody is watching me hopefully they felt the fear and ran away crying like a little girl!

[DJY]

Sad news indeed...
not only that the stole things from you - but they did such terrible things to your Tiguan!!!!

never good!

I had the same happen to my last car - my Alfa 147...
insurance company didn't pay out for full costs of things stolen - as I didn't have "world wide" cover on my contents (house insurance) which would have doubled my home insurance...
and car insurance didn't cover them - as they weren't part of my car.
sigh

oh yes and my "secure" parking at home wasn't regarded as "secure" by the insurance company as it allowed other residents into it (underground carpark below my unit).

That is why I never leave my Tom Tom in my car, and why I am only going to install a proper full headunit GPS in my Tiguan.

For the record - I changed insurance companies (because of this incident)... and have since changed address (unrelated - I bought a house).

[Arctra]

Dean, so sorry to hear, its the biggest gut wrentching feeling walking to your car and seeing the broken window! So where exactly did this happen, ie Snowies-Five Dock- or hockey field? Just curious.

Thanks man. Happened out at Little Bay whilst I was playing hockey. My girlfriend came to me at half time on the phone to the police asking me details. Lets say I played the second half of the game in anger! Think it actually did my game good

I feared the worst a few weeks back when I noticed 2 distinct handprints in the morning frost on the rear passenger window.... somebody is watching me hopefully they felt the fear and ran away crying like a little girl!

Hell hath no fury like a man whose VW has just been broken into!

Sad news indeed...
not only that the stole things from you - but they did such terrible things to your Tiguan!!!!

Yeah, to be honest I don't care about the stuff they took. I care about the fact that they've smashed my window. My poor Tig's been violated!

insurance company didn't pay out for full costs of things stolen - as I didn't have "world wide" cover on my contents (house insurance) which would have doubled my home insurance...
and car insurance didn't cover them - as they weren't part of my car.

I'm still to check on the household insurance, but the car insurance doesn't cover the stuff for the same reason as you... they aren't part of the car and weren't specifically listed on the policy. Oh well, hope household contents covers it.

oh yes and my "secure" parking at home wasn't regarded as "secure" by the insurance company as it allowed other residents into it (underground carpark below my unit).

Ohhhh!? That's the sort of parking I have and thought it was secure. Guess I'd better confirm that then hey. Thanks for pointing that out!