Vandals Jumped on My Car's Roof-What to Do?

jawwns on 21/01/2018 - 20:51

This happened in a small town of southern NSW.
Yesterday night, around 11.30 pm, my wife and I heard some noises in front of my house. Two or three young people were yelling and laughing. Then we heard some other noises, like hitting or crashing. I got out of the house directly to the street and they were already gone. I only saw that one of the guys was wearing a cap. My car was parked in front my house. When I checked my car, I realized that the roof was partly collapsed. One of them, most probably, had jumped on my car's roof.

I drove around area and after 5 mins I saw three guys, aged between 18-22. One of them was wearing a cap. They were all drunk; one was totally gone, the other two were ok. Where I found them was 5 min walking to my house. I asked them why you did it, what is your problem etc. We had a verbal quarrel. They denied that they did it. As I was really pissed off, I yelled at them and they yelled at me. We had a serious talk with one of them especially and I took photo of him. I realized that I would get nothing from them, as I had no evidence. I left there with my car.

I drove some more around the area, and came back to my house. Then I realized that one of the guys, the one I had a serious talk, was in front of my house with two girl friends. They were quarrelling among each other. I waited for them. The girls were trying to convince the guy not to anything wrong. After a minute they were gone. I had not told them where my car was parked exactly. I just had told them the name of the street. And they were there, exactly where my car had been parked, which made me thought they were the ones who did that.
I went to the police station today, and they told me that they cannot do anything because there is no camera records or witnesses. I called the police and got a case number for insurance.
What are your suggestions?
The dented parts are not really big, but still recognizable.
I have a comprehensive insurance. If I make a claim, do I have to pay excess fee? Or should I get it repaired myself?
There seems to be nothing I can do about the guys, as I had no solid evidence. So, do you think I should stop following that case and continue the life?

Thanks

Automotive

Comments

      • try2bhelpful on 22/01/2018 - 10:22
        +4

        Even if found guilty they would probably not feel sorry for it; they are more likely to try and take it out on you for "dobbing" them in. I'm a lefty from a long way back but I really would like to see these guys punished rather than "giving them another chance". The "boys will be boys" mentality just sickens me. I don't think prison is an answer but finding them something menial, like cleaning up rubbish or cleaning off graffiti, for a good length sounds like a good idea.

  • TransportPosters on 22/01/2018 - 09:01
    +2

    How bad is the damage? Can you pour buckets of fresh-boiled water over the roof panel and make it spring back into shape? That's what I did with my car once after a similar thing happened and it was like new.

    • Slippery Fish on 22/01/2018 - 09:15
      +1

      Or self leveling cement.

    • jawwns on 22/01/2018 - 16:40

      It is not thst bad. Thanks for the suggestion I will try it

      • smpantsonfire on 23/01/2018 - 16:41
        +2

        This doesn't really work on metal. On plastic bumpers yes, but not really metal

      • Captain Howdy on 23/01/2018 - 22:14
        +2

        Another suggestion is leave it out in the sun on a really hot day and then spray compressed air upside down so the cold liquid comes out. Hit the dented spot. It'll sometimes make the metal pop back out because of the rapid heat change.

        • Euphemistic on 24/01/2018 - 15:25
          +1

          You could also attempt with spreading crushed ice over it after it being heated up.

    • TransportPosters on 24/01/2018 - 10:30

      Another thing to do try is to drive over firm speed bumps like those in car parks. It bends the car's body and can spring the roof panel back into its pressed shape.

      • Twodogs on 24/01/2018 - 18:45
        +1

        And have a tall friend sit right under where the dent is :-)

        • TransportPosters on 25/01/2018 - 08:57

          Not required that I know of, but may be helpful.

  • Stevek1960 on 22/01/2018 - 09:06
    +6

    I had a similar incident, my car was parked out front of my house and was vandalised, called the cops they came had a look and gave me a case number.
    Phone insurance and because it had been reported to the police and I had a case number there would be no excess.
    Car was repaired at no charge to me.

    • JimB on 23/01/2018 - 13:40
      +2

      Who's the insurer?

      Call me a skeptic, but unless you can identify the other party at fault, you will be responsible for the excess regardless if you hae a case number or not.

      I was involved in a hit and run, until an independent witness could identify the other party I had to pay the excess, I got it refunded in the end.

    • addicted on 23/01/2018 - 14:23
      +2

      Agree with JB1. Someone scratched my BMW when it was parked kerbside. I had suspect's rego and reported to police. The police were their lazy selves, asked me to fill in an online form and get the case # auto generated. I got a case # but my insurer still asked me to pay excess to get the car repaired. And in this case both me and suspect have got insurance from the same insurer, but they still won't entertain my claim until I pay excess.

      • kma on 23/01/2018 - 21:51
        +1

        I can see why it was so necessary to point out the make of your car :)

        • addicted on 23/01/2018 - 23:20
          +4

          yeah I know, I thought for a brief moment too, but because they have high maintenance and repair costs, the pain and frustration was more than usual.

        • daleyboy79 on 24/01/2018 - 09:30

          @addicted: dont forget the reduction in yield!!!

        • Dhandoftime on 25/01/2018 - 13:50

          High yield investment maybe

        • OzzyOzbourne on 25/01/2018 - 15:51
          +1

          @addicted: you forgot to mention it's an M5

  • DarkOz on 22/01/2018 - 09:12
    +2

    Should have called the Police immediately and let them work out who the culprits are. It's not a coincidence that these guys are hanging around near where you live at 11pm in a small town. Even if the Police can't do anything at least they could provide you with an event number. The rest just leave it with your insurance company depending if excess is required or not.

    • jawwns on 22/01/2018 - 16:42

      I should have called the police, but because I thought I had no solid evidence, I decided not.

      • userid007 on 23/01/2018 - 13:20
        +3

        doesn't matter . still should have called the police about vandals in the area.

        • DarwinBoy on 24/01/2018 - 04:44

          Yeah. They could of been caught on camera doing something similar elsewhere that night.

          Would be worth knocking on neighbours doors in this case as maybe someone might have footage.

  • furys12 on 22/01/2018 - 10:13
    +3

    i'd be getting the cameras up before the end of the day incase the bogan decides to come back without his baby mamma there to talk him down

  • Candour on 22/01/2018 - 10:45

    ring your insurance and ask them how they would treat it under your policy. better to get repaired through insurance for lifetime guarantee. private repairs might be excluded by insurance in case they are not up to scratch.

  • hueylui on 22/01/2018 - 12:46
    +2

    Depending on the severity and insurance, roof damage could mean a write off. Claim through insurance so they can assess properly.

    Oh and report to police.

    • knk on 23/01/2018 - 22:15

      Yeah ties into the whole structural build of the car or something these days so repairing a damaged roof is a difficult and expensive job.

      Don't they usually completely remove and weld a new one on?

  • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2018 - 12:51
    +6

    You'll have to pay excess unless they can charge someone with the offence.

    I had a car door smashed.

    Comments on cops avoiding paperwork was spot on. They avoid paperwork to the extent that the crime doesn't get represented statistically.

    Crime stats are a joke.

    • Tee Rex Arms on 22/01/2018 - 20:03
      -3

      General duties police could care less about crime statistics - they do a thankless and tireless job that you have no grasp of. Keep up your sweeping generalisations about something you clearly know nothing about.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2018 - 20:34

        Clearly all general duties Police are outstanding brave protectors of the public.

        I'll say my peace so keep your big boy pants to yourself.

      • Ten on 23/01/2018 - 15:14
        +2

        The saying is 'couldn't care less', as in they have no care and could not care any less than what they currently do.

        "Could care less" means they do care and could care less.

      • ozbogan1 on 25/01/2018 - 18:17

        Exactly, nevermind the domestic violence, suicides and other violent scenes they're confronted with!

    • BartholemewH on 23/01/2018 - 17:52

      I agree. If you find a mobile phone in the street outside the cop shop and attempt to hand it in, they'll damn near refuse to take it to avoid logging it.

  • HeWhoKnows on 22/01/2018 - 18:22

    You have already answered all your questions and done what you can.

    • jawwns on 23/01/2018 - 22:26

      I think so. From now on, I will just look at the damage, wish it never happened and swear the guys who did it until it is repaired.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/01/2018 - 14:45

        Or call it "karma" and call it a day. Ahaha

        (See karmic justice comment far above).

  • userid007 on 23/01/2018 - 13:18
    -2

    I have read it some where. The vandals and anti-socialelements-"They are victims of their own situation. They are hurt and sad. You must give them a hug and pat on the back. We must all support them with all the love and compassion . Love and not hatred is the solution. The society is responsible for all thier crimes."

    Now, You could have called the cops at the time .But honestly , honest citizens have everything to loose. Pay the excess and move on with the life. And make sure dont drive 1km above speed limit . Its an offence.

    • BartholemewH on 23/01/2018 - 17:54
      +3

      I read somewhere that vandals and anti-social elements should be shot on sight. We must read different types of literature?

  • THICKnSLOW on 23/01/2018 - 13:22
    +2

    If you know where the boys and girls live, retribution of many methods can be had.

    For example..
    Burning bag of dog poo on front door
    Fish guts in the house gutter/roof

    Do it for several months, will make you feel better.

    • DiscoJango on 23/01/2018 - 21:44
      +1

      what about burning fish poo on their gutter

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/01/2018 - 12:39

      Very clever - Great invitation for even more trouble from such scallywags

  • kolorijo on 23/01/2018 - 13:48
    +2

    Always park your car in your garage, carport, or car space for this exact reason. You will never know what is going to happen to your car parked on the street.

    • Euphemistic on 23/01/2018 - 16:19
      -1

      kinda pointless having a car if you can't take it out of the garage and park it when you get there. Might be the case for a show car, but a daily driver is open to all sorts of risks.

      • kolorijo on 23/01/2018 - 16:34

        I was referring to parking on the street outside your house when you have a more secure spot inside. Can't avoid the risk when going to shops or visiting family and friends. 99% of the scrathes on my car magically appeared from parking outside 😅

      • HeWhoKnows on 27/01/2018 - 12:43

        With some many car owners with garages subsequently parking thier cars on the street and greedily and needlessly taking up parking spaces that are probably needed by others who have no off-street parking Id say this is a good lesson or in other words - Karma.
        As kolorijo said:
        "Always park your car in your garage, carport, or car space for this exact reason"

  • Munch on 23/01/2018 - 17:21
    +3

    If you have a driveway use it! People these days seem to be less inclined to use their driveways which is cluttering up the streets while their driveway has room. I have no idea why this is becoming a thing!? Having your car parked in the driveway should keep your car somewhat safer from those type of people.

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/01/2018 - 12:49

      Parking on the driveway inside the bounday of ones property is perfectly fine and usually safe, especially behind a closed gate.
      Parking on driveway outside ones property obstructs the footpath, is illegal and hence subjct to fines and possible damage by passers-by.

  • Tackka on 23/01/2018 - 18:43

    Football friend?

    • JelIyfish on 24/01/2018 - 18:13

      Thumbs up friend!

  • AppleLime on 23/01/2018 - 20:30

    I find it very sad Nowadays people just don't have respect for other people's property. Last year, at 5am someone throw stones on my window and one window got broken. The repair cost $500! I called the police but they didn't even come.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 24/01/2018 - 14:32

      Bet there was a cop or police cameras waiting to catch you doing 5ks over the limit on the way to work the next day though!

  • knk on 23/01/2018 - 22:13
    +2

    Jesus, I get you were pissed off but confronting them is not a good move. The kind of idiots who will jump on top of your car for fun will probably king hit you without hesitation.

    On what to do, report to police, pay the excess and park somewhere safer if possible at all. You know, all the adult things..

    • jawwns on 23/01/2018 - 22:19

      Excess fee is 1500$ and I do not think that it will be worth it. One of my friends suggested me a repairer who can repair it quite well. I think I will go with it.
      I had bought this car 3 weeks ago. It is really annoying to think that some idiots use your car, which you bought saving money so far, as an entertainment tool.

      • knk on 23/01/2018 - 23:27

        Considering what may be structural damage, I'd personally go through insurance. Repair will be guaranteed for life.

        Unless the damage can just be popped out and is minimal its going to cost you alot to get that done properly… Unless. It's only a few hundred it's not worth the uncertainty.

        • IamEzza on 27/01/2018 - 18:31

          A person can't really do structural damage to a car just by jumping on it.
          Modern cars are designed to protect the occupants in the event of a rollover where 1000's of kgs of force are placed on the roof.

        • Zachary on 27/01/2018 - 20:14

          @IamEzza: They're also designed such that they reduce impact damage by making the structure flexible and light…..so if you crash into a tree, your car's gone, instead of the tree being gone….. What you would rather have? A mashed up car or a tree completely rooted?

      • JelIyfish on 24/01/2018 - 18:16

        Reduce your policy excess to $500 next time you renew and then make the claim.

        (May or may not be insurance fraud)

  • Marrk on 23/01/2018 - 22:18
    +1

    Glad I'm not in your situation, as I would be thinking about ways to get even, and I don't particularly want to go to jail.

    • jawwns on 23/01/2018 - 22:30
      +1

      I also thought to get things even, but as you said that would create more problems. I was so frustrated when I first encountered them that it was really difficult to hold myself back.

  • LUTSlit on 24/01/2018 - 02:12
    +1

    Why didn't you bash them up.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 24/01/2018 - 14:29

      Because, assuming the op could take on several blokes, the op would get done for assault because the perps would be witnesses of the op assaulting them.

      The only real solution it to have no witnesses available.

      • centrelink on 25/01/2018 - 19:20
        +1

        Revenge on their cars… It would probably hurt then more financially as well

    • berry580 on 26/01/2018 - 07:55

      If you're outnumbered like op said, it's an uphill battle with little to gain but a lot more to lose.

      It's a bad situation to be in, but you just have to pick your battles sometimes.

      Find out where they live, call police, get the mofos details with assistance of police and lodge insurance claim. Just tell them that you ACTUALLY SAW the event.

      Fighting dirty against people like those yield no sin, in my books at least.

  • Winston100s on 24/01/2018 - 03:49

    3 days ago someone(probably neighbours playing with cricket ball?) smashed the rear mirror on my dad's car, but as no one has stepped out taking blame, I haven't seen anyone doing it/no witnesses, I can't be 100% certain who it was. This is so frustrating as 4 years ago at my other house someone smashed my windshield and ran away… there is this saying in eastern Europe, The unseen thief is greater than the judge. You can't be sure that the kid wearing the hat was the same kid that did the damage to your car. No point in taking revenge. All you can do is claim it on your insurance and pay the excess fee or leave the car the way it is. I feel your pain.

  • DBBROS on 24/01/2018 - 04:03

    A friend of mine had his car vandalised by some people few years ago. It was brand new and had scratches and dents all over it. Since it was too expensive to repair, he got his other mates to smash the car to pieces and reported it to the police and insurance. Still no witness and the car was replaced in no time

  • mavis30551 on 24/01/2018 - 07:52

    Shake your first at them

  • ozeebee on 24/01/2018 - 09:56
    +2

    Vandals irrate me to no end. People who vandalises other peoples belongings are the vermin of society.

    What do you do with vermin? That’s right, eradicate them and make examples.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 24/01/2018 - 14:26

      No, we have to wait until someone manages to film the vermin or has an independent witness

    • Euphemistic on 24/01/2018 - 15:30

      Poor grammar irritates me no end. People who pluralise other peoples language are a problem in society.

      You can't eradicate them and then make examples, because eradicating them will remove their existence and you will be unable to use them as an example.

      • ozeebee on 24/01/2018 - 16:48

        Apologies your highness. Yes having good grammar is nice but getting even is betterer.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/01/2018 - 12:58

    I found some navel fluff this morning and I lost my faith in humanity.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 24/01/2018 - 14:24

    Good information from the police there for all crooks- they will not investigate a crime if the victim has no camera evidence or witnesses.
    Simply outstanding

  • PerthectDeal on 25/01/2018 - 00:22

    Can you show us a picture of the dent? Is the paint damaged?

    If not I used a paintless Dent repair guy the other week, he was excellent, removed 2 dents in the rear doors of a new car. You cant tell where the dents are at all. The cost was less that half the cost of the insurance excess and dont need to worry about having an insurance claim under my name.

  • Zylam Marex on 25/01/2018 - 03:56
    +1

    Don't really have any advice to leave you for recovering costs but very sorry for your unfortunate event. Really hurts when you save up and buy something nice and take care of it only to have someone mess it up with the authorities doing nothing.

    I'll add you to my prayers. At least you and your wife are fine, a car is a car and God will bless you with many more! But personal health is definitely a priority. I'd definitely agree with whoever said above that you should not have confronted them, you don't know what degraded levels of life some people are of, they could have easily pulled out a weapon and hurt you on the spot, thankfully such did not happen.

    Not too long ago someone hit my mum's few month old new car and it was mostly the back bumper that got damaged. My mum started to cry as it was her baby, her hearth is with that car and it's understandable, a car is something special to many, mainly due to the effort that is required to obtain one on your own. But long story short, everything got fixed and the cars good as new with the insurance covering the costs, but one thing that really stood out to me was what the manager said;

    When we took the car to the repair shop, the manager could tell my mum was really upset and said listen, you have no idea the kinds of accidents and damage I've seen to new and old cars and let me tell you this, a car is a car and any accident in which you walk away from is the best accident there is, don't worry about the car at all.

    Honestly those words are probably something I will live by forever as the health of you and your family is really something that cannot be replaced, so be very happy with the fact that you and your wife are safe.

  • shangoz on 25/01/2018 - 11:01

    Just wash your car, turn the water to maximum, with colour should be better.

  • whoopi on 25/01/2018 - 23:07

    This happened to me several years ago, people climbed on my car at night parked outside my house, had a smoke, dented the roof and left light scratch marks from I guess their shoes on the bonnet.
    Told police, got a case number and comprehensive insurance fixed it all. I don’t remember having to pay an excess, maybe because it was reported to the police.

  • cloud68 on 26/01/2018 - 15:08

    Once we plan to do a little getaway from sydney. We were driving pass penrith, stop on the servo asking for directions and suggestions. Just after I got back into the car, a car full of, OZs and islanders, threw mcd soft serve on to my windshield whilst calling out my race. We drove back to Sydney and watch Jackie Chan that night instead

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