Not sure if I have been had!

justmicky · 10th March 2010, 21:20

December 23rd - icy roads etc. my lad says he pulls over for a car that is hogging the road. He loses control at a very slow speed and touches a lamp post. Now, I was at sea, and I didnt get told about the mishap until a fortnight later for fear of me blowing my top and ruining their christmas!!! Mmmmm

So,when I did get told I asked if there was any damage and was told just a scrape on the bumper and thats all. No witnesses, other car didnt stop etc. Okay that was the end of that? Not so, I have just got home from sea again to find that the other day I got a letter in the post from the council wanting to recover the full costs of a replacement lamp post! I was shocked to say the least!
My missus said there was only a slight scrape on the car bumper and its true - I have taken some pics - she also states that she thinks the lamp post had been leaning over for some time - but the lamp post has already been replaced so I have nothing to prove that the lamp post damage had been caused by my son!
I dont suppose theres much I can do about this now? I have sent the details off to the insurance company etc, along with pics of the car (not the 75 I might add!!!)
But a couple of questions about insurance: My son was on my policy at the time of the accident - for future reference when getting quotes I will no doubt have to state that i have had a claim on my policy now (my first ever I might!!!) but if he was now to take out a policy of his own, would he have to declare a claim as it is effectively me claiming?

£1500 plus reconnection for a lamp post

GreyGhost · 10th March 2010, 21:38

I would say, if you have legal protection on your policy you should insist the insurance company fight the claim by the council, based on the the lack of damage to your car. Don't just cough up. The insurance company legal eagles will take great pleasure in dealing with the council.

With regard to no claims. It is your policy so that is with you. If when he applies for his own insurance (with another company) he has a slight loss of memory I doubt it will come back on him. But one can never be sure.
BTW I am not advocating a falsehood.

justmicky · 10th March 2010, 21:50

Thanks. As I mentioned I have sent photos of the car and looking at it you would say there is no way the car could have caused any serious damage to the lampost. I think I will give the Insurance company a call tomorrow!

MN190 · 10th March 2010, 21:59

Can you counter claim for the council failing to treat the roads adequatley? With this failure in their duty of care causing the damage to your car

justmicky · 10th March 2010, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN190

Can you counter claim for the council failing to treat the roads adequatley? With this failure in their duty of care causing the damage to your car

It was a "B" road that had not been gritted according to the missus

Further to this - my lad says there was no one about, the other car didnt stop, it was dark at tea time......someone must have seen it then to have got his registration! When I contacted the council they told me the police had reported the accident to them! They have never contacted me

justmicky · 11th March 2010, 08:26

Well I have asked my insurers to challenge this claim - so we shall what happens

Wolves 75 · 11th March 2010, 08:41

My ex ploughed her Megane into the central reservation on the M6, after being cut up by a van joining the motorway, the council tried to get her to pay for two sections of the barrier about £3000 if memory serves me right, they changed the barriers over night, although I had already taken photos (as we and the police could see no damage to them apart from paint) we asked to see the damaged barriers but we were told that would not be possible, so we told them to take a hike, that was about 6 years ago, and never heard another word since...

justmicky · 11th March 2010, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolves 75

My ex ploughed her Megane into the central reservation on the M6, after being cut up by a van joining the motorway, the council tried to get her to pay for two sections of the barrier about £3000 if memory serves me right, they changed the barriers over night, although I had already taken photos (as we and the police could see no damage to them apart from paint) we asked to see the damaged barriers but we were told that would not be possible, so we told them to take a hike, that was about 6 years ago, and never heard another word since...

Well done - I hope my case goes the same way but I have an awful fear that the insurance company will just cough up - its in their hands now, I have given them all the info and I have and asked them to dispute it - we shall see, Will revert with the outcome in due course!

justmicky · 11th March 2010, 21:35

Here are a couple of shots of the car that has supposedly destroyed the lamp post

ruby-the-rover · 13th March 2010, 20:42

what was the lampost made of?? paper??

i really hope your insurance fights the claim, the council are really are taking the dog doo!

10th March 2010, 21:20	#1
justmicky I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 Club SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: north west Posts: 2,160 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Not sure if I have been had! December 23rd - icy roads etc. my lad says he pulls over for a car that is hogging the road. He loses control at a very slow speed and touches a lamp post. Now, I was at sea, and I didnt get told about the mishap until a fortnight later for fear of me blowing my top and ruining their christmas!!! Mmmmm So,when I did get told I asked if there was any damage and was told just a scrape on the bumper and thats all. No witnesses, other car didnt stop etc. Okay that was the end of that? Not so, I have just got home from sea again to find that the other day I got a letter in the post from the council wanting to recover the full costs of a replacement lamp post! I was shocked to say the least! My missus said there was only a slight scrape on the car bumper and its true - I have taken some pics - she also states that she thinks the lamp post had been leaning over for some time - but the lamp post has already been replaced so I have nothing to prove that the lamp post damage had been caused by my son! I dont suppose theres much I can do about this now? I have sent the details off to the insurance company etc, along with pics of the car (not the 75 I might add!!!) But a couple of questions about insurance: My son was on my policy at the time of the accident - for future reference when getting quotes I will no doubt have to state that i have had a claim on my policy now (my first ever I might!!!) but if he was now to take out a policy of his own, would he have to declare a claim as it is effectively me claiming? £1500 plus reconnection for a lamp post

11th March 2010, 08:41	#7
Wolves 75 I really should get out more....... 75 connoisseur SE CDTi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cheslyn Hay Posts: 2,488 Thanks: 7 Thanked 31 Times in 15 Posts	My ex ploughed her Megane into the central reservation on the M6, after being cut up by a van joining the motorway, the council tried to get her to pay for two sections of the barrier about £3000 if memory serves me right, they changed the barriers over night, although I had already taken photos (as we and the police could see no damage to them apart from paint) we asked to see the damaged barriers but we were told that would not be possible, so we told them to take a hike, that was about 6 years ago, and never heard another word since... __________________ Would rather push my 75 than drive a Jag

13th March 2010, 20:42	#10
ruby-the-rover Avid contributor 52 reg rover 75 saloon cdt Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: stoke on trent Posts: 207 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	what was the lampost made of?? paper?? i really hope your insurance fights the claim, the council are really are taking the dog doo! __________________ membership number 8968 Sam AS IN Samantha please forgive me as i have sinned, im sorry its a 75 thing!

10th March 2010, 21:38	#2
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	I would say, if you have legal protection on your policy you should insist the insurance company fight the claim by the council, based on the the lack of damage to your car. Don't just cough up. The insurance company legal eagles will take great pleasure in dealing with the council. With regard to no claims. It is your policy so that is with you. If when he applies for his own insurance (with another company) he has a slight loss of memory I doubt it will come back on him. But one can never be sure. BTW I am not advocating a falsehood.

10th March 2010, 21:50	#3
justmicky I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 Club SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: north west Posts: 2,160 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks. As I mentioned I have sent photos of the car and looking at it you would say there is no way the car could have caused any serious damage to the lampost. I think I will give the Insurance company a call tomorrow!

10th March 2010, 21:59	#4
MN190 Posted a thing or two MG ZT 190+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Norfolk Posts: 1,423 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Can you counter claim for the council failing to treat the roads adequatley? With this failure in their duty of care causing the damage to your car

11th March 2010, 08:26	#6
justmicky I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 Club SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: north west Posts: 2,160 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well I have asked my insurers to challenge this claim - so we shall what happens