Hit object on dual carriageway, claim on insurance? 12 September 2022 at 7:35PM in Motoring 3 replies 454 views

anto135

Hi,

So after a break away for a week I’ve been driving back and ran over what I think was a bumper (might have been something else not sure)

instantly I’ve heard a loud bang and I’ve started pulling over into a lay-by and saw smoke from behind, and oils leaked everywhere to the point it’s all leaked out (the majority when I’ve stopped). I’ve not got the full details yet as I got it recovered to a dealers miles away from me to be looked at tomorrow, but I think from what I can see underneath it’s just cracked my oil sump/pan and the oils drained (I’m hoping it’s just that and nothing more serious)

I don’t know the full damage until tomorrow but if it is just the oil sump, I’m planning to pay for the repair myself rather than claiming on my insurance and having a claim on file.

This is obviously hypothetical at this point but I’d need that doing until they can run the engine again. At that point if they find there’s engine damage due to the amount of oil drained with the engine still running the speed I was going it would mean engine repair/replacement which is going to be costly. I’ve got a report from the AA and videos of the time. What I’d like to know if possible is, if I get the sump changed, then the dealers find there’s engine damage, would I still be able to claim on the insurance, with me having work already started on the repair?

macman

Almost certainly not. Inform your insurer for information only and await the results from the garage.

DullGreyGuy

anto135 said:

if I get the sump changed, then the dealers find there’s engine damage, would I still be able to claim on the insurance, with me having work already started on the repair?

It would significantly complicate matters as if the damage is due to loss of oil rather than directly because of the impact that it could be an error in the repair that caused the damage as far as the insurer is concerned when they only get to inspect after its found a repair attempt hasn't "fixed it"

Grey_Critic

Tell the insurance company and let them sort it out - the sump is simply a container for the oil that is essential to the operation of the engine - once the oil is gone - as in this case - by the time you stop the damage is done.