Dog car accident

moliver_93

I wasn't really sure where to post this - but need some advice.

Yesterday, unfortunately a dog ran straight out in front of my car on a main road, and I couldn't avoid it. It died straight away - Which was awful and filled me with guilt!

I was within the speed limit of 30mph - and the dog had escaped from the garden. I called the police who came straight to the scene and the medivet also arrived and took the dog away. The owners weren't there so I didn't see them.

My car is also very damaged, the number plate is smashed, the bonnet has been damaged along with various other things. The dog was a large whippet.

My question is who do I claim from? would this be my own car insurance or should I get in contact with the owner (Even though it feels unethical)

Thanks in advance!

nidO

Your insurance.

bod1467

Contact your insurance. If you know the address of where the dog escaped from, advise this to your insurance. (Which may let your insurer recover their losses from the dog owners).

Do you have motor legal protection with your insurance? (If yes then this could be used to recover your excess from the dog owners).

Retrogamer

I imagine it would be difficult to prove the owners were negligent with the dog escaping from the garden.

As mentioned, claim from your own policy and if your insurers think they can recover the money from the dog owners they will chase them rather than yourself.

moliver_93

bod1467 wrote: »

Contact your insurance. If you know the address of where the dog escaped from, advise this to your insurance. (Which may let your insurer recover their losses from the dog owners).

Do you have motor legal protection with your insurance? (If yes then this could be used to recover your excess from the dog owners).

Thanks for the advice! I'm not sure with regards to the Motor legal protection, I will look into this.

=rizla=

Dog insurance tends to have public liability cover included, so if the dog was insured your insurance company may be able to recover the costs from the pet insurance policy keeping your NCB intact.


But as has been said speak to your insurance company.

wiltsguy_2

if it was me i certainly would not be using my insurnace to claim, it down to the dog owner. Phone your insurance company and explain, they may pursue the owners on your behalf.

maninthestreet

How did a dog the size/weight of a whippet cause so much damage to your car??

Geodark

maninthestreet wrote: »

How did a dog the size/weight of a whippet cause so much damage to your car??

You would be surprised how much damage can be caused. I once hit a seagull at 70 and I had to replace the bonnet, grill and a headlamp!

dannyrst

At 30mph, assuming you used the brakes to slow down, say 25mph?

Surely there isn't enough damage there to bother going through your insurance? Chalk up the £100-200 for body damage and leave it at that.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Retrogamer wrote: »

I imagine it would be difficult to prove the owners were negligent with the dog escaping from the garden.

As mentioned, claim from your own policy and if your insurers think they can recover the money from the dog owners they will chase them rather than yourself.

Chats with the neighbours, or obviously unsound fence, dog basically allowed to roam free, still happens (though not like the 60s where dogs just seemed to wander the streets). My parents in law used to accept that their dog roamed the neighbourhood in the 80s.

I wouldn't dismiss negligence, but on the other hand I think it unlikely that the insurers will be interested enough to pursue.