can i receive compensation for van theft?

[marty31]

two months ago while i was on holiday my business van had its entire gearbox stolen, as a sole trader joiner i have no means to work and am getting close to being bankrupt, the bills are piling up but hopefully i will be able to get work as im in the process of quoting for a number of jobs. What im wondering is that although no one got caught for it can i claim for loss of earnings and personal stress ? :)

[Buenchico]

Sorry, but the answer is 'No'.

If you'd suffered a (non-minor) injury as the result of a criminal action (irrespective of whether the offender was apprehended or not), you could make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. However there's no equivalent body for claims relating to financial loss (or resultant stress).

The only possibility would be a claim against your motor insurance, but you'd have to read the small print to see whether the 'theft' cover applies to individual components of the vehicle, rather than just to the loss of the entire vehicle.

Chris

[pink-kittens]

compensation from whom?

[Whickerman]

surely if you're getting that stressd it should be worth exploring whether the motor insurance covers the theft/repair? Did you have comprehensive insurance?

[Twenty20]

Surely, if you rely on your van for your business then the insurance company would organise a replacement whilst yours is being repaired? Why didnt you get a replacement and why did it take 2 months to fit a new gearbox? Seems a little odd.

Also, it may be worth checking your business insurance policy to see what's covered - many will offer cover for disruption of work for a number of reasons.

Worst case, couldn't you have hired a van for the last couple of months to keep working?

[Skyline D]

No business insurance including business interuption cover?