Claiming from County highways for pothole damage

Fuzzy_2

Hi

Drove into a large pothole the other day (doing about 30 mph), cutting a long story short, damaged the tyre as well as the alloy wheel, requiring the replacement of both.

I contacted the CC highways and reported the pothole, which after 2 weeks I notice that it has been filled in. I also have a claim form from them regarding the damage to my car. The form is asking for details of my car insurance. I have no intention of claiming on the car insurance as the cost of replacements comes to £10 over the excess on the policy, plus I haven't made a claim for well over 10 years, thus I don't want this to be reported to them.

I am going to write something along those lines on the council form, but will they, or can they contact my car insurers? If so will this affect my policy with them, as I don't see this as an accident. I could see that the council may wish to check that I'm not claiming off them and the insurers too - would I be right in that assumption?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

mattymoo

Fuzzy wrote: »

Hi
I am going to write something along those lines on the council form, but will they, or can they contact my car insurers? If so will this affect my policy with them, as I don't see this as an accident. I could see that the council may wish to check that I'm not claiming off them and the insurers too - would I be right in that assumption?

It could be a generic form that they use for all types of car incidents, e.g. collision with refuse lorry. In that case they would need to speak to your insurers.

Leave the details blank if you want. If they come back to you and request them again, ask them why.

Debt_Free_Chick

I'm not so sure about this ..... insurers generally ask that you report all incidents which would be covered by the policy, even if you do not make a claim. And, I think, even if there's no loss involved e.g. you decide not to have the damage repaired (not sure about this second one).

Hang around for other replies, as I have a feeling you may have an obligation to report the incident to the insurer anyway! :mad:

Fuzzy_2

Thanks mattymoo and Debt_Free_Chick for your replies on this.

I will see if anyone else can shed some light on this one, as if it comes to having to report to my insurers, then I won't pursue the claim with the CC, and just put it down to experience. After all I had to get a new wheel and tyre so "repairs" weren't an option - they were essential!

Debt_Free_Chick

Have a look through this thread

There's the usual rants, inaccuracies and "how dare they" - but amongst all that carp, there's the accurate situation.

My understanding is that you have to inform your insurer of any incident that might have given rise to a claim, whether or not you intend to make such a claim.

Try reading the policy (I'm not kidding!)

Fuzzy_2

:eek:

Thanks Debt_Free_Chick - think I'll definitely leave well alone. At least the hole has been repaired, so no other poor soul will have a mishap. Plus I've heard that the CC rarely (if at all) pay out when the pothole is at the edge of the road; whereas if it's in the middle of the road you stand a better chance of getting compensation.