Another insurance question - dog hit on motorway

[anonymous-user]

I'll make this as quick as possible, basically my mate hit a dog that ran out in front of him on the motorway. Unavoidable, mullered his bumper, radiator etc. He got recovered and the cars sat on his drive, he took the dog with him and got is scanned, found the owner to be a local farmer. The bloke has contacted him and said he'll cover repair costs and to let him know how much it'll be.

At this point my mate isnt sure if he should A, get a quote and contact the farmer or B, go through his insurance. He's fully comp but doesnt have NCB protection, as I understand it he'll have to pay his excess and lose his NCB (or some of it) if they cannot recover the costs from the farmer? He reckoned the insurance company have said to him they'll do all they can to recover the costs, even taking the farmer to court if there's not insurance to claim from (pet insurance maybe?)

I reckoned he should see if the farmer will stick to his word first before going down the insurance route but I've never had to make a claim like this.

[eatcustard]

What if farmers suddenly says, not my dog.

I would get the dosh off the Farmer than go via insurance

[DaveH23]

As he got the dog scanned the chip in the dog states it is the farmers. slim change of him claiming its not his.

[MrBarry123]

I'm surprised there was enough left of the dog to actually scan it - given your mate hit it on the motorway.

The insurance people are correct in that if all of the cost cannot be covered / recovered by the other party, your mate will have to pay his excess and would lose his NCB.

[was8v]

What I would do:

Get a quote ASAP locally for the work and go see the farmer. Ask for the cash within a couple of days (better there and then) in full settlement. Offer the receipt for him to put it through his books. Be sensitive he has just lost his best friend and colleague.

If the cash doesn't show up in a week or so then then get the insurance involved. You are lucky the farm dog was chipped....

[ModernAndy]

I'd encourage your mate to give the farmer the benefit of giving him the chance to sort it out before involving insurance. If the farmer doesn't sort it out then your mate is going to have all the evidence he needs to make a claim anyway.

[TheEnd]

Wasn't there something about reportable incidences of hitting animals that need to be reported to the police?

I had a feeling that dogs were on the list and cats weren't.

edit- found it-
http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/roa...

[PAULJ5555]

DaveH23 said:

As he got the dog scanned the chip in the dog states it is the farmers. slim change of him claiming its not his.

He could say, Sorry mate sold that dog 2 weeks ago.

[ModernAndy]

TheEnd said:

Wasn't there something about reportable incidences of hitting animals that need to be reported to the police?

I had a feeling that dogs were on the list and cats weren't.

edit- found it-
http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/roa...

Seems like the criteria have been met as the owner has been contacted.

[markmullen]

TheEnd said:

Wasn't there something about reportable incidences of hitting animals that need to be reported to the police?

I had a feeling that dogs were on the list and cats weren't.

edit- found it-
http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/roa...

PC Shag'm and his dog

P Pigs
C Cattle

S Sheep
H Horses
A Asses
G Goats
M Mules

Dog

[TooMany2cvs]

CaptainMorgan said:

I'll make this as quick as possible, basically my mate hit a dog that ran out in front of him on the motorway
he took the dog with him

Will insurance be paying for a deep-clean of the boot carpet?

[TheEnd]

markmullen said:

PC Shag'm and his dog

P Pigs
C Cattle

S Sheep
H Horses
A Asses
G Goats
M Mules

Dog

That was it, I remember hearing that mnemonic years ago.

[Cupramax]

PAULJ5555 said:

DaveH23 said:

As he got the dog scanned the chip in the dog states it is the farmers. slim change of him claiming its not his.

He could say, Sorry mate sold that dog 2 weeks ago.

Ive no doubt that would be the last thing to come into your mind if youve just found out your dogs been killed

[JonV8V]

Farmers tend to a bit more dispassionate about animals and the dog was probably a work animal not a pet. They also have incidents with the public all the time, it's just part of doing business. They're also usually well insured. I'd certainly give the farmer the chance to sort it out.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks all.

It was me that told him he'd lose the NCB and excess if his insurance company couldnt get the money back, they kept that quiet when he phoned to make them aware of the accident.

There wasnt a huge amount of the dog left, I thought it was a badger when he sent the picture but I'll not share it as it's not nice, poor bugger.

I've advised him more or less what everyone has suggested, see if the farmer will play ball first, he's got it to a decent local garage so we'll see what happens from here.

Thanks again

[PAULJ5555]

Cupramax said:

PAULJ5555 said:

DaveH23 said:

As he got the dog scanned the chip in the dog states it is the farmers. slim change of him claiming its not his.

He could say, Sorry mate sold that dog 2 weeks ago.

Ive no doubt that would be the last thing to come into your mind if youve just found out your dogs been killed

Not all farm dogs/working dogs are the same as cuddly pet dogs and have you ever seen Snatch

Edited by PAULJ5555 on Monday 9th November 12:27