My son bought a car from Avondale Kia and I co-signed for him, but the dealership did not set up full coverage insurance on the new car prior to our leaving the lot but asked me if we wanted the coverage and I acknowledged that we would need it.
My son initially wanted a Used Car which he drove from the lot for a few days in late November (11/23 or 11/24), which at that point the dealership explained that they could not let him drive it without full coverage Insurance. At this point we were told that they would provide coverage sense we were unsure of the coverage my son had on his trade-in which we had gotten the same day we went to the dealership (we now know it was Liability).
The dealership stated that we could change the insurance to our current insurance carrier after the loan was completed. Also stated was the amount of time for the dealership coverage of 3 weeks and at a higher amount then we could get with our current insurer. The paperwork was filled out and completed that night (one of the documents signed had something to do with Insurance Coverage on it but I assumed that it was the coverage we had agreed to).
A few days later we were contacted by the dealership saying that we could not get financing on the used car but can come in and get a new car that could be financed. We came back into the dealership (11/30 or 12/01) to return the used car and pick a new car, the new loan documents were filled out and signed that night. I asked the dealership for the number to the insurance company because we did not have the name or insurance card at the time and was given the name and phone number on a slip of paper.
The following week we were contacted again and told that we received a better interest rate then anticipated and needed to come back into the dealership to re-sign some more loan papers, which we did on 12/08/06, assuming that the insurance coverage was set up and carried over from the three signed documents.
On 12/11/06 my son got into an accident and I called the dealership to get the Insurance company number again to place a claim, once again was given the telephone number. I contacted the company to find that they had no record of us in their system.
I then stopped into the dealership to find out if there was full coverage on the car only to find out after the Finance Manager, Sales Manager, Salesmen, and I think it was the Dealership Manager went into a room and reviewed the paperwork to find that no coverage was on the car other then the Liability from the trade-in. The salesmen came out and told me, then suggested that my insurance would cover the car. I told him that was unacceptable! Now Months from the time of the accident and the car is still in the impound lot, no coverage, and the GAP coverage we accepted is the only coverage we have.
At this time I have filed complaints with the Arizona Attorney Generals office who is looking into what happened, the Better Business Bureau, and Kia North America whom contacted the Dealership Manager, who in turn contacted me. His name is Don Pickering.
Upon Don's contact with me, I explained to him all that had occurred and he stated he would investigate the matter and get back in contact with me. I was we spoke sometime in late January, early February. Don did call me back but said that the documentation shows that we signed a document reflecting we had our own coverage. I explained that the document I thought I was signing was something to provide the full coverage his Sales Manager and I had discussed.
Had I known that I was driving off of the lot without Full Coverage or was told this, I would have left the car at the lot until the following day and gained the coverage prior to our taking ownership of the car. He stated that he would look into other avenues that we might take and let me know. I was also told by Don; that because I had contacted the Attorney Generals Office, he would no longer be able to discuss this with me, but would keep in touch.
Since that time, I have not been able to verify if the Dealership would be able to cover the car under there insurance, but was told by GAP that by the end of March they will have taken care of their portion of coverage on the totaled vehicle. At this time, I am unsure of the amount they will cover but will look into that within the next week or so, prior to the end of the Month.
I have also contacted the Finance company (Chrysler Financial) in writing, to inform them of my concerns with the dealership not verifying full coverage prior to the car leaving the lot. I spoke with Lori, at (913) 851-6429 on 03/14/07 who informed me that it was my responsibility to provide Full Coverage. I explained to her that had the Sales Manager stated they do not provide Full Coverage or not leading me to believe that they could provide it, I would have surely left the car at the dealership and picked it up the following day once coverage was established.
The Dealership has promised coverage but did not provide it and as a result, I now my son is paying for a car that he can not drive or get repaired. I will keep pushing until I receive some satisfaction because I have done all that was asked of me and I expect the same in return.
Anthony
Tolleson, Arizona
U.S.A.
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