Potholes at the service station

Mr-jelly-2012

Morning people, hope all is well.

I am unsure how to resolve the following issue.

Lastnight at the motorway services, I drove into a large deep pothole filled with water. I was driving at a reasonable speed and the illumination was poor. I was miles away from both my home and the destination.

Because my car insurance is fully comprehensive with excess. I had to submit an insurance claim as RTC.

The damage to the car is needing to replace the protective sheet underneath the engine. Total bill is going to be towing the car to a depot, removing the damaged sheet and parts n labour to replace the sheet. It is highly likely my personal expense would be the excess.

I contacted the manager at the services who completed an incident report form, took several photos of pothole whilst showing the depth. I also took photos of both pothole and damage and taking photocopy of the report form.

Because I hit a large pothole on private land, would the services be liable. I would be looking to seek compensation but for just for the expenses I incurred so I'm not out of pocket.

The interesting thing is, a few minutes after I hit the pothole and pulled over, another car did the same.

Sgt_Pepper_2

You will need to prove they either knew about the hole and have done nothing about it. Or they have not bothered to make reasonable checks should they decide to fight it.

rs65

Mr-jelly-2012 wrote: »

Because I hit a large pothole on private land, would the services be liable. I would be looking to seek compensation but for just for the expenses I incurred so I'm not out of pocket.

NO harm in trying - your insurers may be seeking to recover their outlay too.

How deep was the pothole?

neilmcl

Have you taken the car to a garage or had the damage properly assessed? I assume you managed to drive home OK?

vikingaero

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

You will need to prove they either knew about the hole and have done nothing about it. Or they have not bothered to make reasonable checks should they decide to fight it.

Most services I visit have huge potholes and they are left for ages. You would have to be a complete retard of a manager not to notice and not to do anything about it.

The OP should return a couple of days later to see if it has been repaired or coned off. If it hasn't then take more pictures for evidence.

Mr-jelly-2012

The pothole was about 4-5 inches deep.

As I filled out the services incident report form, I had to tick a box for potholes. I wonder if that means its a common enough occurrence.

Mr-jelly-2012

I took several photos to cover myself.

Duty manager was absolutely lovely. She talked me through what happens next, gave us free drinks and to let her know if we need anything.

Mr-jelly-2012

I drove to where we were going absolutely fine. I couldn't drive home as we were 180 miles away.

neilmcl

So the car is driveable then and you haven't had the damage assessed?

neilmcl

The point I'm making is without a proper assesment aren't you making a bit of an assumption as to what needs repairing and to the extent of the cost, eg, "Total bill is going to be towing the car to a depot, removing the damaged sheet and parts n labour to replace the sheet. It is highly likely my personal expense would be the excess."

I also think you've jumped the gun with informing your insurer. All you needed to do is report the incident at the motorway services as you've done, get some repair quotes and put a claim in against the motorway services insurer, who'll no doubt be in touch. No need to talk to your insurer, no need to pay any excess and no impact on any future premiums.

Mr-jelly-2012

That's right. Car is driveable. When the mechanic removed the sheet he assured its ok. I haven't had the car fully assessed as yet. I need to ring the insurance company and ask if I can use any garage or from one off their approved list.