I wasn’t sure where to put this question, but I have no parents or guardian in my life and my only source for help is the internet and I very desperately need some.
I’m a full-time junior in college with a steady part time job (I’ve been working there for 3 years now). My part time job is my only source of income and I’m relying solely on loans and whatever financial aid I can get to pay for my college education — I’m technically considered unaccompanied on the FAFSA, so I have to file as homeless because I have no source of parental income whatsoever. Whatever refund I get from my loans, I use to pay bills and to buy groceries. I live with my girlfriend and another roommate, both are also students and have steady jobs and pay all their bills just fine.
So, my car - a 2006 Honda Odyssey - was stolen from my apartment complex in October (Halloween night actually). I called every towing company in my city to make sure it wasn’t towed, I filed a police report immediately and that was that. Fast forward a little less than a month later (November 24th) and I get a bill in the mail from a towing company across town saying that my van was towed 15 days prior and that I owed them $675, with $30 being added for everyday it sits in the lot. This is strange to me because I gave my VIN to the police and they put a tag on it — shouldn’t the towing company see that it was stolen? Also, should I still have to be worried about paying the bill or is it void since the vehicle was stolen?
I had to wait to call the towing company until Monday (today) and they told me that it was still in the lot. I contacted the officer that filed my report and told him that my car was found in a tow lot. I’ve contacted him twice and he still hasn’t gotten back with me. I want them to visit the car before me in case they can figure out who stole it and also so I won’t have to pay the bill. $675 is a LOT to me. It’s almost more than I currently have in my bank account and rent is due this week, but I need my car because I need to commute to classes and work.
Does anyone have any advice on how I could purchase a new car if this one is damaged? The van is falling apart as it is — I’m suspecting that the person who stole it ended up ditching it after realizing what a piece of shit it is. I have good credit, I have a credit card that I’ve used to build up my credit over time and have never missed a payment. I’ve had to start taking out student loans starting this past semester, I’m just worried about having to take out more. I would like to get a new car but I know it’s a luxury I may not be able to have. It would be nice if someone could explain some options, as I have no other way of navigating this whole situation. Any advice would be very much appreciated!
EDIT: I also contacted my insurance company after my car was stolen, but it was only a precaution because I only am able to afford liability so I don’t have full coverage
Submitted November 27, 2017 at 10:31PM by meggravy http://ift.tt/2ibBOxW
