Who would pay for travel/accomodation in this odd situation

TrickyDicky

Need legalish type opinions on this bizarre situation. My car was collected from work this morning for a service. But a truck has hit a gas main near the garage and the road to/from the garage is blocked by police, meaning I might not get my car back until tomorrow. I need to drive 55 miles home, which means I would either have to get the train, get a hire car or stay locally until my car is ready.

But who has to pay for the alternatives? The woman at the garage at first said that I would have to claim any compensation/refunds from the police? but wouldnt the garage's insurance cover this? or because it's out of their control it wouldnt?

timbstoke

The garage insurance is for when the garage are at fault - this wouldn't count. The only chance I can see that you'd have would be to pay yourself in the first instance, and then submit a claim for your expenses to the truck driver/company. They're the only party I can see who could possibly be liable in this situation.

andycris3107

It's very unlikely that the garage's insurance will pay for this. They will most likely have PI / negligence insurance but certainly not one that pays out in the event that someone can't get onto their premises.

What about your own car insurance or auto club membership (AA/RAC) your car is considered off the road and may therefore be covered.

System

Nothing to do with the garage as it is out of their control. They will probably finish the work but the police are stopping them delivering it.
Nothing to do with the police as the road had to be closed for safety reasons
I doubt the truck drivers insurance would be interested otherwise there would be millions of pounds of claims each time an accident closed a major road.


In short, No there is nobody to claim off. It is pure bad luck

peachyprice

Why would the garage's insurance cover you for something that has nothing to do with them?

It's down to you, you chose a garage near to work rather than home. What would you have done if they'd found something major wrong that needed specialist parts to be ordered? Woukd you expect them to pay to get you home then aswell?

DCFC79

Not down to the garage to compensate you nor the police, is there not another way you can get to the garage ?

If not then stay locally and get the car the next day.

jfdi

It reopened again over an hour ago, although there's yet another set of lights on it now!!!

wealdroam

jfdi wrote: »

It reopened again over an hour ago, although there's yet another set of lights on it now!!!

Jfdi, is this related to TrickyDickey's problem?

Or did you post on the wrong thread?

jfdi

Totally related!

If I've guessed his location incorrectly I apologise - but the details he gave reflect 100% an occurrence my OH got caught up in at lunchtime today, and surely it wouldn't occur twice at same time on same day???