Topic: Question about anti-theft windows etching

[sterling]

Everybody that sells something benefits. So what?

If somebody doesn't want the insurance I'm guessing they won't buy it. As Neil has said, and as I said, cars get stolen and people that bought the insurance get the payouts. Ask Neil's customers or the guy I sold whether they felt that paying $295 was worth getting a $5000 cheque.

I am very surprised that someone would pay to have the windows etched without the insurance to go with it.

[JoeY]

This is interesting to know, however I have some questions:

1.   If I brought a new car, and obliged by the dealer to purchase this etching + insurance.
2.   Since it’s a new car, so it has to have full coverage including occasions when it gets stolen.

Now the car got stolen, then will I get paid from my insurance company, plus this etching insurance?
Otherwise I don't see the point why we are purchasing double insurance.

[sterling]

This is interesting to know, however I have some questions:

1.   If I brought a new car, and obliged by the dealer to purchase this etching + insurance.
2.   Since it’s a new car, so it has to have full coverage including occasions when it gets stolen.

Now the car got stolen, then will I get paid from my insurance company, plus this etching insurance?
Otherwise I don't see the point why we are purchasing double insurance.

Plenty of dealerships etch the cars on their lot but I've never heard of it being mandatory to pay for the insurance transfer. The actual physical etching takes literally 5 minutes per vehicle to etch every window; there's not a substantial cost to the dealership there. We pay the lot attendant $3 a car to do it.

The etch insurance is on top of whatever regular insurance you may get. In my example above, the customer got his normal payout from his insurance company plus $5000 from the etch insurance.

[articsteve]

There is no central etching number database anywhere except at the insurance company so they can see who paid for the insurance. The police have no knowledge of these etch numbers.

In Ontario all insurance company databases are linked.  Its the insurance companies that search for stolen late model cars thru private agents and not the Police.  In Ontario if a car is reported stolen to any Police Service the Ministry of Transportation is NOT notified.  In other words a vehicle, motorcycle or anything that gets registered for road use can be reported stolen but still transfered at a license bureau because its not entered into the Ministry dadabase as possibly stolen.  Weird.

[citydude]

jeff1: ...UNLESS... it's the "Protector Plus" service that refuses to keep track of the car's detail / information / registration now that it has been sold from the original owner.

Sterling: As to whether a used car buyer should be charged again? Of course, if they are getting the theft insurance associated with the etch number transferred to their name

With those 2 comments, am I correct to say the dealership was not trying to rip-off by charging it again on the sale of a used car? (since the insurance/record is being transfered)

My next question is, can the buyer refuse it?

Citydude

[articsteve]

Of course.

[Giant Dwarf]

jeff1: ...UNLESS... it's the "Protector Plus" service that refuses to keep track of the car's detail / information / registration now that it has been sold from the original owner.

Sterling: As to whether a used car buyer should be charged again? Of course, if they are getting the theft insurance associated with the etch number transferred to their name

With those 2 comments, am I correct to say the dealership was not trying to rip-off by charging it again on the sale of a used car? (since the insurance/record is being transfered)

My next question is, can the buyer refuse it?

Citydude

Yes... and should be yes for the second question too.

[citydude]

Thanks guys.  I guess this will be my final question on this topic:

Can the buyer refuse this service on the sale of a new car? 

Citydude

[Giant Dwarf]

On the SALE of a new car, sure -- it's your property to lose.  With leasing though, the car actually belongs to the financing institution (ie. Audi Finance) so they can make whatever rules up as long as you agree to 'em.  However, rightfully, it seems that it should be the financial instituion that wants to protect their asset, so they should be the ones who pay for it.  ... of course I'd be the one with the $5k cheque if my car did go missing. 

[neil]

Ovr, we don't charge for re-etch.

Yes you can refuse it.  Some do, but our penetration is over 80%.  Just about everyone knows someone who's had a car stolen.

Some dealers 'pack' the etch in with the doc fee, in which case your choice is limited.

To add to sterling's comment about cost, yes it costs only $5 to have the lot tech put the #'s on, but the dealer pays the insurance co a premium as well, so It's not pure profit.

Like every product we offer, there is a value, it's up to the consumer to determine if that value is worth the sticker price.   No snake oil or scams.

[wing]

Except of course for the snake oil used for rust proofing   I kid I kid

[citydude]

Thanks guys.  Learn something new everyday.

Citydude

[articsteve]

Except of course for the snake oil used for rust proofing   I kid I kid

 

[Giant Dwarf]

Except of course for the snake oil used for rust proofing   I kid I kid

...and undercoating...   

[GabL]

My next question is, can the buyer refuse it?
Citydude

I guess not, as it's already come with the car. Unless you paid to get the windows replace. Likewise you can't refuse to get one of the wheel on the car just because you don't like it.  Just my 2 cents.

[AVToller]

When I bought my Forester they had done the etching and pinstriping and something else on the one they found for me. They wanted me to pay for it and I simply said that I was willing to wait until they brought another one in without that garbage. I was not charged for it. 

[fhw]

As far as my (admittedly limited) experience has gone, no insurer has ever asked me about VIN etching when preparing a quote.  I've gone through the process for three cars in two provinces.  I can only conclude it has no effect on insurance premiums.  It's "found money" for the dealer, along with their BS "administrative" fees.

The only additional fees you should need to pay on a new car are PDI/freight, the various taxes, and a $10 fee to register a lien when you're financing.  Anything else the dealer is harrassing you about, walk away.

[AVToller]

ICBC certainly does not ask about VIN etching, but they do about immobilizers.