Reporting Vehicle Stolen When Friend Has Absconded With It

[eve1974]

Hi we have a vehicle registered to us but we have someone (a person we thought was a friend) insured on it as main driver (clearly we are too trusting).

Long story short things have gone very sour and yesterday we asked him to return vehicle. He said he would by 2pm today "latest" - well its not and he is non communicado won't answer text etc

Are we allowed to report it stolen seeing as though its (a) our car (b) even though he is insured to drive it (c) we gave him about 36 hours notice to return it.

[Canary42]

The law supporting the villain, not the victim - AS USUAL.

[fiction-factory]

If your friend is named as the main driver and you rarely drive it, who pays for the insurance, eve- does your friend contribute/pay it?

[Barmaid]

No. Again you are wrong canary. Nj has nailed it. If the op issued proceedings for return of the goods or damages in lieu i have no doubt she would be successful. Indeed it would probably be a case fo summary judgement.

[DTCwordfan]

If you are paying the insurance - this will make it clearer that you have offered a favour and want to withdraw it, for whatever reason.

[eve1974]

Hi everyone - a quick update - got the car back. Eventually found where he was parked up and as we had a spare key we drove it straight home. Oh fiction yes we were paying the insurance in full too. It's left my husb and I quite sad tbh - but it had to be done. Lesson learnt :( I don't know why we should feel guilty about it but we do ...sad how friendships can turn :(

[fiction-factory]

I wonder if your friend will report it stolen!
Given that he has a key, if you take him off the insurance I suggest you notify him in writing- maybe even recorded delivery

[jennyjoan]

don't feel sad Eve - it's your car and he (friend) hasn't been very nice

[Peter Pedant]

// .sad how friendships can turn :(//

I think it is the betrayal of trust or trading on trust - and regret that he couldnt just have behaved like a normal human being

[twix123]

Presumably your 'friend' still has a key for the vehicle. Make sure that you have immobilised the car, with either a wheel clamp or steering wheel locking device, otherwise they may return and try to recover the car again.