Dog on retractable lead runs into my car and although insurance said no claim to dog owner, premium

FuzzyDuck1

A couple of months ago, I was driving along and a dog on a retractable lead ran into the back of my car. I stopped, took the owner and the dog to their vet and dropped the dog and owner back home once the dog was cleared of injury other than bruising. The owner was only 18 and lived at home with his mum. When I dropped him off, the mum asked for my car insurance details saying her partner was a police officer who had advised her to request this information. I gave them to her even though I thought it wrong she could blame me as the dog was not properly restrained. The vets bills came to just under £100. As soon as I got home, I called the police as I'd been in an accident with a dog and they said that I wasn't liable for the vets bills and to leave it with the insurers. I called insurance and let them know that this lady will be calling them and provided police reference number and all details. The mum got very aggressive on text when my insurers told her that I'm not liable the same day that it was reported to them. I told her I'm sorry the event happened but I was not at fault and therefore wouldn't pay. She had previously tried to get me to pay the vets bill without insurance being involved and I said no as I wasnt al fault as if her dog was restrained properly it wouldn't have ran into traffic and I was an innocent motorist. Even though my insurers didn't even investigate and told her immediately that she had no claim against me, my insurance premium has gone up 33% per month! The insurers say its because an incident has been reported regardless of any claim being not being investigated etc. I don't see why I should be out of pocket over this. Is there anything I can do to either get insurers to put premiums back down or seek compensation from the dog owner? 

davidmcn

In short, no. Even an incident which doesn't result in the insurers paying out may be viewed as an indicator that you're more likely to be costing them money in the future.

FuzzyDuck1

Can I claim from the dog owner as ultimately they commited an offence not having the dog under control and if it had caused damage to my car, the owner would have been liable for those costs. Ultimately if I'm not liable for the accident and I've suffered a financial loss, they should pay?

davidmcn

FuzzyDuck1 said:

Can I claim from the dog owner as ultimately they commited an offence not having the dog under control and if it had caused damage to my car, the owner would have been liable for those costs. Ultimately if I'm not liable for the accident and I've suffered a financial loss, they should pay?

I included that in "no".

dunstonh

Is there anything I can do to either get insurers to put premiums back down or seek compensation from the dog owner? 

No.

How do you know all the increase is down to the notified incident?

Just shop around and declare it when getting a quote.   Some insurers do increase premiums on a non-fault claim/notification as statistically, it means that there is a greater chance of another claim in the short term.  It doesn't mean you will have one but you are now in a pot of people where it is more likely that you will suffer a claimable event.  Some insurers factor that into their pricing. Others do not.

vacheron

davidmcn said:

In short, no. Even an incident which doesn't result in the insurers paying out may be viewed as an indicator that you're more likely to be costing them money in the future.

 I have been the victim of an accident that was 100% someone elses fault which resulted in my premiums increasing, and this is far from uncommon.

However, at least in my case the other party was in a car! The OP is different in that their claim was completely without merit and utterly unconnected with driving.

This has now got me wondering if this could be a new kind of revenge tactic, whereby if someone annoys you for whatever reason, "accidentally" drop a watermelon at their car, claim they damaged your watermelon, have your ridiculous claim thrown out by their insurer... but bingo!, result achieved in that the "incident" is now on their file which could push their new and future policy values up by hindreds of pounds for the next 5 years!

[Deleted User]

Yes you can claim from the dog owner. You can claim for any financial loss you suffer.

First write to them with an invoice for your costs. If they don't pay send a Letter Before Action, and finally Small Claims Court. If your insurance has legal cover ask them if they will do it for you.

You may find it hard to get the money but it is possible. You may have to do it again next year too, until you no longer have to declare the incident.

FuzzyDuck1

dunstonh said:

Is there anything I can do to either get insurers to put premiums back down or seek compensation from the dog owner? 

No.

How do you know all the increase is down to the notified incident?

Just shop around and declare it when getting a quote.   Some insurers do increase premiums on a non-fault claim/notification as statistically, it means that there is a greater chance of another claim in the short term.  It doesn't mean you will have one but you are now in a pot of people where it is more likely that you will suffer a claimable event.  Some insurers factor that into their pricing. Others do not.

I know its due to that incident as I'm only half way through this years insurance and I questioned it with them when I noticed a higher amount being deducted for the insurance premium that's paid monthly. I can sort of see why the insurers have increased the premium although it doesn't make it right as I was an innocent motorist and the dog wasn't restrained properly and ran into my back wheel. Luckily the dog was ok as it really shook me up but I'm more annoyed at me being out of pocket for someone not having their dog under control in the first place. She tried lying and bullying me into paying her vets bills and if I'd have paid those I'd be really annoyed now having the insurance go up so much. 

rs65

FuzzyDuck1 said:

I know its due to that incident as I'm only half way through this years insurance and I questioned it with them when I noticed a higher amount being deducted for the insurance premium that's paid monthly.  

That's very unusual.  Does your policy allow that?

dunstonh

I know its due to that incident as I'm only half way through this years insurance and I questioned

Your premium does not change half way through the policy year due to a claim or event.    Any potential change would occur at renewal.

when I noticed a higher amount being deducted for the insurance premium that's paid monthly. I

You shouldn't have "noticed" it.   Any change in direct debit requires a notification to be given to you at least 10 days before it is taken.   Also, the insurer would write to you notifying of any change.  

Sandtree

You need to speak to your insurers as a mid term change in premium doesnt happen because of a claim in that policy year.

Once you've spoken to them then come back for advice with what they say... had it been at renewal then there may have been a couple of possibilities but not mid term