To not want to claim on my insurance.

[BumWiper]

Basically I was driving down a narrow boreen yesterday,steep ditch either side when a dog (old english sheepdog) came through a hedge straight in front of the car.I braked but had no option but to hit it.
Owners came running down the road,they had obviously been looking for it.The dog was lying on the road,I got out to cheak it and the owners propped it up and its leg seemed to be broken.

The man went and got the car to bring it to the vet.I explained to the woman what happened and she said the dog is always escaping.I then looked at the front of my car and it was in bits.I had to transported to a garage and there is damage to the wishbone.I only had it serviced 3 weeks ago.

AIBU to not want my premium to rise dramatically and to seek payment for repairs from the dog owners?They knew the dog was always escaping.

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

If the owners of the dog have pet insurance, they might be able to claim on that for the damage to your car. Either way, the owners of the dog are liable for the damage to your car.

[scurryfunge]

Ask them if the dog is insured. Have you reported the collision.

[BumWiper]

Yes I reported it to the garda station on the way home,a friend gave me a lift.I took the owners car reg too.
I didn't want to risk driving a damaged car.

What if they don't have pet insurance though?

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

I'm afraid if they don't have pet insurance that's their tough luck, as they will still be liable- the dog was outwith their control and caused damage to your car, it's not an act of God. (had it been a cat, however, they wouldn't be liable)

Another good reason to make sure your pet is insured

[BumWiper]

I hope they are decent people and do pay.I was only going about 20 mph.The garage said that because it was a sudden straight on impact it was like braking into a tree.

[Melty]

Hi BW,
Just to point out, you said garda station.
The law in Southern Ireland is not always the same as in England and Scotland. (not that I have any idea about the legalities of this situation, or any other!)
So check before chasing after the dogs owners for compensation.

[BumWiper]

Not that it matters to me personally but there were fields full of sheep and a roaming dog.I thought that was against the law and seriously enforced in rural areas.

[BumWiper]

Will do Melty.I'm living in Kilkenny.

[Smellslikecatpee]

I know when I lived in a very rural area it was taken very seriously (and I know at the time a framer had the right to shot any stray on their land, though that may have changed now)

Have a look on here www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/DogControl/

[BumWiper]

Thanks for that Smellslikecatpee

[HappyMummyOfOne]

To claim from the pet owner or their insurance, you would have to prove they were negligent which is not always straight forward.

[TheSugarPlumFairy]

Contents/hpmeowners insurance will often have a legal liability extension that would respond to a claim of this nature. So if the dog is not insured with a specific pet insurance the owners may still have protection.

[TheSugarPlumFairy]

Contents/hpmeowners insurance will often have a legal liability extension that would respond to a claim of this nature. So if the dog is not insured with a specific pet insurance the owners may still have protection.

[BumWiper]

Well the owners were clearly in breach of the control of dogs act.The dog had escaped and they were looking for it.

It was either hit the dog,or go bonnet first into a ditch and hope for the best.