Motor Insurance and Fence

Southgatenotgareth

If I have a motor claim caused by an accident when I was unable to see oncoming traffic due to size of neighbours fence should I report to insurance company. I did report size of fence previously to council but they never took any action. According to planning it is over the size allowed for fences by highway. 

david29dpo

Normally councils wait till someone is injured or killed before anything is done so dont hold you breath. 

Mark_d

So you want to say that you caused the accident because you were unable to see oncoming traffic?  I wish all other drivers were so ready to admit fault

TELLIT01

What height is the fence, and is it between properties, or the fence facing the road?

Aretnap

Southgatenotgareth said:

If I have a motor claim caused by an accident when I was unable to see oncoming traffic due to size of neighbours fence should I report to insurance company. I did report size of fence previously to council but they never took any action. According to planning it is over the size allowed for fences by highway. 

Report what to the insurance company? 

If you mean the accident then your insured will require you to report accidents to then whether or not you think you were at fault. And you will definitely have to report it to them if you want to make a claim, it if someone else tries to claim against you. 

If you mean the fence there's not a lot that an insurer can do about someone's fence: if you want to complain about that you'll have to report it to the council (again).

Southgatenotgareth

The fence is about 1.5 metres and is between houses. So if I walk up to house I can’t see car on drive or anyone else. I even changed way I parked so didn’t reverse out anymore because couldn’t see anything when doing this. I know crash would be deemed my fault but feel like the fence did contribute.

ThorOdinson

It doesn't seem worth it. The fence rules are stupid and easily circumvented with plants anyway. 

FlorayG

It won't make any difference to your insurance claim - it was either your fault or it wasn't, in their eyes.

DullGreyGuy

You can tell them and it won't make any difference at all, ultimately you have to drive according to the road conditions and whatever obstacles there may be. 

TELLIT01

The fence is legal as it is under 2m tall.  The reality is the accident was caused by the OP not taking enough care leaving their driveway.  

Rodders53

TELLIT01 said:

The fence is legal as it is under 2m tall. 

Really?  Only if PP has been given, methinks.
Planning Permission - Fences, gates and garden walls - Planning Portal

Regardless "Due care and attention" is needed in such circumstances.  Also a conversation with fence owner might be in order (with an offer to pay for height reduction?) rather than starting a neighbour dispute by reporting it.

The end of our lane has poor visibility in one direction caused by a very tall hedge (likely 3m+) and great care is needed when turning right.