step daughter took my car while we were out of town and crashed it!!

A couple of things here. At the time of the accident, who was driving? Was it the step daughter or the boyfriend? If it was the step daughter, was she specifically excluded on the policy? If not and she was driving, the insurance company has to pay. A lot will depend on the declaration certificate. If the boyfriend was driving, file a stolen vehicle report. As mentioned, if she was driving, this is something that needs to be discussed with your wife. As mentioned, this has the potential to be a long term problem for her as well as you. The next issue is the amount of damage to your car and the second car. It's easy to say press charges, but if your wife is trying to deal with her issues, you may find that pressing charges can effect your relationship with your wife. At minimum, you need to lawyer up your step daughter.
 
Swifster said:
A couple of things here. At the time of the accident, who was driving? Was it the step daughter or the boyfriend? If it was the step daughter, was she specifically excluded on the policy? If not and she was driving, the insurance company has to pay. A lot will depend on the declaration certificate. If the boyfriend was driving, file a stolen vehicle report. As mentioned, if she was driving, this is something that needs to be discussed with your wife. As mentioned, this has the potential to be a long term problem for her as well as you. The next issue is the amount of damage to your car and the second car. It's easy to say press charges, but if your wife is trying to deal with her issues, you may find that pressing charges can effect your relationship with your wife. At minimum, you need to lawyer up your step daughter.
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Thats good advice.
 
Sounds like everybody is an adult in this situation. Respopnsibility needs to be taken. If she gave him the keys to the car, she is just as guilty as he is. This would be the last step for me, she would get the boot out of the house too.

Since she had access to the keys, I'm assumming she lives with you. If not, she is bringing people into your home uninvited. What is next ? tools, electronics, or other valuables ? Nip it in the bud right now.
 
nuttsgt said:
Sounds like everybody is an adult in this situation. Respopnsibility needs to be taken. If she gave him the keys to the car, she is just as guilty as he is. This would be the last step for me, she would get the boot out of the house too.

Since she had access to the keys, I'm assumming she lives with you. If not, she is bringing people into your home uninvited. What is next ? tools, electronics, or other valuables ? Nip it in the bud right now.
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stop it before it gets worse, make both of them know what they did was wrong and reassure that it will NEVER happen again.
 
Swifster said:
A couple of things here. At the time of the accident, who was driving? Was it the step daughter or the boyfriend? If it was the step daughter, was she specifically excluded on the policy? If not and she was driving, the insurance company has to pay. A lot will depend on the declaration certificate. If the boyfriend was driving, file a stolen vehicle report. As mentioned, if she was driving, this is something that needs to be discussed with your wife. As mentioned, this has the potential to be a long term problem for her as well as you. The next issue is the amount of damage to your car and the second car. It's easy to say press charges, but if your wife is trying to deal with her issues, you may find that pressing charges can effect your relationship with your wife. At minimum, you need to lawyer up your step daughter.
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x2
 
At first I thought to report it stolen but how is that going to effect you and the wife, you know? Might get the deadbeat boyfriend out of the picture for awhile but how is the wife dealing with the pregnacy? How involved is the boyfriend with that? Hell, is it even his kid?
 
GrandmaLS said:
At first I thought to report it stolen but how is that going to effect you and the wife, you know? Might get the deadbeat boyfriend out of the picture for awhile but how is the wife dealing with the pregnacy? How involved is the boyfriend with that? Hell, is it even his kid?
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that's everything i was wondering. can the boyfriend still be put in jail(where it's pretty clear he belongs) without you reporting it stolen?
 
as of right now car was reported, she (Step Daughter) took the keys off her moms key ring, we didn't notice until the call about the wreck. she is out of house for now, it is very stressful here my wife is tore up, after giving her so much and so many chances she is at the end of her rope, I can no longer live in the house with her, she has made No effort to change or to better her self, I dont mind helping someone but only after they put effort into getting there life together first. the boyfriend was driving, he bailed on foot, guess he had few beers. witness seen him get out of car and hoof it. police are going after him, he doesn't have a license lost it while back! I will get car from impound Tuesday , they were closed today and we called insurance agent they will meet us here to look it over..
thanks for ideas and comments.
 
Damn, sorry to hear that. Her boyfriend would be crying for the police had it been my vehicle. +1 for being level headed !!!!!
 
Well, if the b/f is under 21 I would think he's fucked since there is zero tolerance. A couple beers might as well be 20. It sucks that you have to drop the hammer on the step-daughter but if it's for the best of your and your wife's mental health then that's most important. A friend of mine kicked his step-daughter out for almost exactly the same thing (stealing jewelery, not a car) also pregnant with a POS b/f. Sometimes you just need to look out for ole #1 and hope everything else works out. 10 years from now she'll either understand and thank you or be in an even worse position where she won't even remember. Sucks, but ce la vie.
 
IF THE DAUGHTER TOOK THE KEYS SHE STOLE THE CAR NOT HIM, darn caps lock he was driving a car his GF gave him keys too, he will walk away on car theft charge daughter will be charged with "joy riding" get probation he will be charged with leaving the scene of a accident
 
moneypit said:
IF THE DAUGHTER TOOK THE KEYS SHE STOLE THE CAR NOT HIM, darn caps lock he was driving a car his GF gave him keys too, he will walk away on car theft charge daughter will be charged with "joy riding" get probation he will be charged with leaving the scene of a accident
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He could be charged with receiving and concealing stolen property though....but either way the daughter is more responsible for the theft than he is.
 
his daughter had keys, a shitty first year public defender will get that tossed out best bet sue the kid in small claims for the deductable and move on
 
it is likely the insurance will require you to re;port the car stolen before they will cover the damages. I recall reading about a case like this 5=10 years back
 
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