I called the insurance company for clarification, and they confirmed that yes, I would have to pay them back whatever they'd paid out for those items.
 
So for example, if I recovered my ADAMs I would have to reimburse USAA the $549.50 they gave me for them. For $39 more I could just go into GC and buy them back. Which I most definitely would not do, as they've been beat to sh*t. But if I say I don't know where they are, I can go out and buy new speakers for up to $2,198 and USAA will pay me the $1,648.50 difference. Everybody wins, including the thieves.
 
I asked the fellow on the phone what motivation I could possibly have to try and recover the items, and he changed the subject. At least he didn't say "because if you had an opportunity to get it back and didn't, we'd sue you."
 

You know Dave, the insurance companies are crooks too. I once had a car stereo stolen and they wrecked the dash. When I had it repaired the shop said that an entire new dash was required and they got paid for it. When I picked up the car I discovered that they had actually repaired the dash and billed for a new one. I contacted State Farm right away and told them they were getting ripped off. They didn't want to talk about it, and since I had gone to a shop they recommended I assume that they were in on the scam. How can a person not be cynical in this world.

Just as a follow-up, once the insurance company pays the claim any recovered items belongs to them. If you want it back then you have to refund what they paid.
 
I don't know about anybody else but I doubt I will do business with GC again. The only time I have found any 'deals' is when they were having their weekend/holiday type sales. All other times they are list prices. I can get list price anywhere and other places have sales too.

... once the insurance company pays the claim any recovered items belongs to them. If you want it back then you have to refund what they paid.

 
I specifically asked them about that. They said no, I have to pay them. He hinted at an option to donate items to charity, but did not have any details. 
 
The insult doesn't end there. I found out that the store is not obligated to give the stuff back to me anyway. I found this in the Seattle Police Department manual:
 

Officers cannot seize lost or stolen property from a pawnshop and return it to the owner. If ownership is not adjudicated in a criminal trial, the determination of ownership becomes a civil matter.

 
The determination of ownership is a "civil matter". Translation: I can buy the gear back and then take GC to court in hopes of recovering my cost, assuming they haven't already sold it. 
 
Also from the police manual (my emphasis):
 

After the property has been released from police hold or evidence, the owner must claim the property from the pawnshop. The pawnshop may agree to release the property to the owner, but is not legally obligated to do so without a court order. The owner may have to initiate a civil action against the pawnshop to reclaim the property.

 
Bottom line: I will making no attempt to recover the stolen gear - I will not pay (twice) to get my own stuff back. And it goes without saying that I will be reluctant to do business with GC in the future.

Although the bulk of this last bit has been about the gear, I'd still press the police to find the culprits to see about getting back your data.  The gear can be replaced.

Voda La Void
You know Bit...I wonder if this could be useful:
 

michaelhanson
When I had to renew my musical intrumentals insurance rider this year, it came with a new clause attached that I had to agree to. I had to call my agent for clarification before signing and renewing. Basically, what it said was that if my instruments were stolen and then I was reimbursed for them, if they were recovered, they were now the property of State Farm. 

I believe that's USAA's policy as well.  So....wouldn't USAA be interested in getting their property you've found at GC?  Just wondering if they might have more success (read: money and lawyers) getting the stolen equipment...
 
Just a thought.  Maybe even a thief's name gets dropped here or there...

Though it peeved me off at the time, I later just decided that I would play the game, if that's what I needed to do. Fortunately, I don't have any guitars that have been with me for 30 years and I am really sentimental too.  My Rick Bass is a 2002 and I think that's the only one that has been with me for a while.
 
So, what I did...was to make sure that I documented every thing that I own and got it ALL on the rider at 2016 prices.  This way if something was to happen, I have a chance at getting new stuff at market rate.  I did this after this event happened to you Dave.  I had realized that I had not updated the rider for a few years and I had added several new pieces to my acquired gear.  

craigb
Although the bulk of this last bit has been about the gear, I'd still press the police to find the culprits to see about getting back your data.  The gear can be replaced.

My thoughts, too. However, the police flat out told me "don't call us". As far as they're concerned the case is closed.
 
The good news (gear-related): I've found a very good deal on a nice computer - i7, 16GB, 2x1TB, FW, 256GB SSD, 750W PS, quiet case. AND I've (reluctantly) decided to finally move off 8.5.3 to Platinum. No plans to replace the speakers yet, so I'll be working on headphones for awhile. Next comes the long process of re-installing and re-authorizing plugins, which hopefully won't require too much begging of vendors for licenses. I should be back in the saddle in a few weeks.

Well...no matter how you got there...you are going to find Platinum one kick ass piece of kit!! Rock on!!

bitflipper, I wish I could do something to make your situation easier. At least, let things look up, WAY up, from here on in! 
 
LJ

bitflipper
... 
So they are afraid the perpetrators might sue them for violating their privacy! 
 ...
 

 
Yeah ... that's how the rich in every country are allowed to steal from the rest!
 
What else is knew ... and why would they get in trouble for the "privacy", when the person in question was caught with stolen equipment?
 
Talk about changing the conversation and make it look like something else ... I say we all need to boycott GC and make sure that all musicians do the same. Perhaps their falling apart will get their attention to what "business" is about ... and stealing should not be one of them!
 
A boycott and a PR situation, should take this further ... they need a kick in the butt. I can't believe they did not IMMEDIATELY, contact the police with the information ... this is insane and these lawyers need to lose their job!