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Car Registration Stolen in Rome (Still Have Car) - What to do?

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Yesterday, my dad's car registration/title was stolen on the Metro in Rome (for a car that he leased for two months from Renault in Paris). We still have the car parked in a garage for two more days and will be in Rome two more days (Sunday and Monday). In the US, you would go to the DMV and the police. What do we do here? Do we have to try to communicate with the police? I can't find guidelines on what to do in Italy. We will be leaving Italy and passing through Austria, into Germany. Will they let us pass through countries without the car registration/title? How will we get a new one? My sister lives in Germany and has a legitimate mailing address there. Should we see if Renault can send some sort of papers there? Or... through email?

We tried to call the number that Renault provided for accident/theft report, but the operators did not speak English and my very limited French could not convey the situation properly. Will try calling the office where my dad picked up the car, when I can.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice? Thanks so much!

Anna

Posted by
11852 posts

Italian law requires you to make a denuncia (charge or complaint) at the Carabinieri. One of my colleagues lost his car registration and was unable ot obtain a new one until he swore out the complaint.

If you travel on without the registration and are stopped by the police, just as in the U.S., you can not prove your right to have that car. Not a good thing. Do call Renault. Perhaps they can at least send you a copy. But also go to the Carabinieri.

Posted by
10766 posts

How about getting to the US Embassy in Rome early Monday morning with your police report in hand. Someone there should be able to help with the phone calls, logistics. You may be directed to the Consulat offices or the Embassy offices.

Posted by
1816 posts

While this might not help you after so many days, I wanted to add my two cents for future searchers. I asked about this situation at the Nice Peugeot lease office yesterday. The advice to get a police report was right on. The clerk said they didn't have specific experience, but the Peugeot office had a copy of the registration they could fax and he thought the fax plus the police report would suffice if stopped. The lesson is that car lessors may want to make a copy of the registration to keep in a separate location.

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