Breakdown cover

ellymoo

Last night I saw a pothole, swerved to avoid it and hit a kerb thing which damaged my tyre. I was able to get literally within 40 yards of my own drive, but on double yellows so I knew I couldn't leave my car there. I rang my breakdown people who told me that because I'd said I had swerved to avoid a pothole it was classed as an accident and wasn't covered. If I'd ploughed into the pothole they could have towed me round the corner. As it is, it cost me £300. To be taken around the corner, which took about 19 seconds. I didn't dare drive the car as could have damaged the wheel.

Looking at the Ts and Cs accidents are noted in the exclusions, which is something I'd not considered before so I'll obviously not renew with them (and that's due this month). I doubt I have any recourse but given that it was so expensive to go such a ridiculously short amount of distance do I have any grounds for a claim apart from weeping at them? The roads around here are atrocious.

Thanks!

Car_54

Accidents are usually excluded by breakdown providers, simply because they’re covered by your motor insurance.
You can claim on your policy, but with any excess and possible loss of NCD it may not be worthwhile.

SaverRate

Put a claim in to the council 

ellymoo

Thanks both. I don't think it would be worth it with the excess but I'll try the council

I'll ring them anyway and tell them why I'm not renewing. I wish I'd just left it on the double yellows now and sat in it until I got it sorted!

baser999

Who were the breakdown company? 

Car_54

SaverRate said:

Put a claim in to the council 

The OP saw the pothole, and avoided it. I can’t see the council accepting responsibility.
But whether he/she wants to claim against their insurance or the council (or both), it would be a good idea to go back and take photos ASAP.

ellymoo

I've reported every pothole I've seen for the last year so chances are I've already reported this one but I'll go back for photos as you suggest.

The company are 2gether Insurance.

Honestly the tow bloke laughed when he took me round the corner because of how short the journey was. 

For future reference, what should I do? Would it have damaged my wheel to drive a few yards on it? Should I have just put a note on it saying "recovery on way"? I'm trying to take this as a learning experience rather than getting upset that it's £300 down the drain . And failing... but trying!

Nobbie1967

I would have put a note on it explaining the situation, but it’s pretty unlikely you’d have got a ticket that evening unless it was monitored by CCTV. Does the car come with a spare wheel or foam repair kit?

SaverRate

ellymoo said:

I've reported every pothole I've seen for the last year so chances are I've already reported this one but I'll go back for photos as you suggest.

The company are 2gether Insurance.

Honestly the tow bloke laughed when he took me round the corner because of how short the journey was. 

For future reference, what should I do? Would it have damaged my wheel to drive a few yards on it? Should I have just put a note on it saying "recovery on way"? I'm trying to take this as a learning experience rather than getting upset that it's £300 down the drain . And failing... but trying!

Personally, I would get yourself a space saver spare wheel. 

Whilst its not recommended I would have driven round the corner although slowly and carefully on the damaged wheel. 

I do think thats poor service from 2gether insurance, and almost warrants a complaint as I wouldnt say it was an accident in terms of getting your insurance involved. 

Again whilst many wouldnt recommend it, maybe next time you call your breakdown service keep the details short and sweet. 

diystarter7

Hi

This post highlights the cons of cars without sparewheels. I am safely assuming that otherwise it would have been changed

Good luck OP  -

SpudGunPaul

SaverRate said:

ellymoo said:

I've reported every pothole I've seen for the last year so chances are I've already reported this one but I'll go back for photos as you suggest.

The company are 2gether Insurance.

Honestly the tow bloke laughed when he took me round the corner because of how short the journey was. 

For future reference, what should I do? Would it have damaged my wheel to drive a few yards on it? Should I have just put a note on it saying "recovery on way"? I'm trying to take this as a learning experience rather than getting upset that it's £300 down the drain . And failing... but trying!

Personally, I would get yourself a space saver spare wheel. 

Whilst its not recommended I would have driven round the corner although slowly and carefully on the damaged wheel. 

I do think thats poor service from 2gether insurance, and almost warrants a complaint as I wouldnt say it was an accident in terms of getting your insurance involved. 

Again whilst many wouldnt recommend it, maybe next time you call your breakdown service keep the details short and sweet. 

What would you need to hit to think it was?