Car Written Off After Being Damaged By Raised Ironworks on New Development

Benjay78

Hi,

Looking for some advice please.

I've been living on a new housing development (Redrow) for a few months and they're now preparing to lay the road finally. This means that they are currently raising the man holes and drains, making the drive out from my house like an off-road assault course.

Recently whilst driving out at night I've managed to hit the of the raised man holes as it wasn't barriered off. There are warning signs around but you would assume the hazards would be secured in some way, the other 5 or 6 are but for some reason this one isn't. The man hole must've been raised by at least 12 inches and I nterestingly the following morning this was dug up and redone (thankfully I took photos).

The impact made a huge bang under the car and I just about managed to get it back on my drive while that car struggled for power. The car has now been taken away by the garage and I was told yesterday that the repair bill will be just under £8k! As the car is a 56 plate Golf GTi Editon 30 this is more than the car is now worth so I'm just waiting on the inevitable news that it's a write off.

My insurers (Esure) are contacting Redrow with regard reclaiming my excess however I will probably lose my 13 years NCD and my insurance for the next few years will obviously be impacted by this. Having paid the car off a few years ago I'm now going to be out of pocket each month for the cost of buying a new car as well as increased insurance. Am I within my rights to chase the housing developers for compensation to cover this?

Thanks in advance.

Nodding_Donkey

It would appear that your insurance company are attempting to claim off the developers. If they succeed there will be no impact on your NCD as they will make a full recovery hopefully.

Benjay78

Thanks Nodding Donkey!

rs65

Benjay78 wrote: »

I will probably lose my 13 years NCD and my insurance for the next few years will obviously be impacted by this. Having paid the car off a few years ago I'm now going to be out of pocket each month for the cost of buying a new car as well as increased insurance.

You won't lose all 13 years - maybe back to 3 but check your policy. I guess you didn't have protected NCD.

Why will you be out of pocket each month. Use the write off payment to buy a new car.

OnanTheBarbarian

You can't claim for any more than the write off settlement of your car, so if you get £5k for the car and go and buy and £8k car, you can't claim the difference.

tykesi

Raised 12 inches - a whole foot and you didn't see it?

Or are you using the same measurements you tell the wife?

topdaddy_2

How much tarmac they gonna lay for christs sake?! A foot of tarmac on a resisdential road?

harveybobbles

So what is the actual damage for it to be £8000?

Also, these bits interest me and would be interested to see what Redrows insurance say on it:

I've been living on a new housing development (Redrow) for a few months and they're now preparing to lay the road finally.

They could argue that living on a new build comes with dangers such as this and due care and atention is advised.

There are warning signs around but you would assume the hazards would be secured in some way,

The fact they have warning signs in place, would probably cover their own back.

As for 12 inches high - would love to see the photos of this! Did you hold a tape measure in the pic or something that is easily identified such as a can of coke or tv remote?

Can't see Redrow paying out one bit to be honest.

arcon5

£8k of damage? Seriously?
What exactly has been damaged? And how fast was you going?

captainawsome

You can't seriously expect somebody (redrow) to pay monthly payments on the next car you buy. The idea is you get the money the insurance company pay out for your car and buy another one. If you choose to take out further finance that's your choice

JustinR1979

I guess the engine and box both smashed whilst bending the chassis and buckling all the wheels?