Help - i don't know what's best to do

[Amyxo123]

So yesterday afternoon I was driving home from the nursery run 3 kids and 2 adults in the car along the same route I do 3 times a week and a dog ran out infront of my car from it's house... the owner came out and picked up the dog and said that wasn't your fault it's just escaped picked up the dog and ran to the vet which luckily was just across the road

I left my name and number with the neighbour and went to the local police station afterwards
I feel terrible and haven't slept or stoped thinking about the accident -

The issue is that my car has a lot of damage to it as my crash sensors in my bonnet have been alerted with the impact and also the bonnet won't close aswell as the front of my car being dented... as per UK law the owner of the dog in liable for this due to the dog not being on a lease and causing the damage and as far as I'm aware it can be claimed from the 3rd party liability from pet insurance

I don't want to go to the house incase the dog has passed away after the accident and I genuinely feel so bad (i know I couldn't have prevented it) but i am now out of pockets for around £1500 worth of damages to my car

What would you do in this situation

What would you do in this situation

Ring the insurance company and say what happened, and give them the details.

I would write a note and put it through their door, detailing most of what you've said here, and asking them to contact you as soon as they are able

I couldn't afford to lose that much money on car repairs so as difficult as it would be, I'd have to go to the house and ask them to cover the costs from their pet insurance (hoping they have the dog covered). I'd maybe leave it a few days just in case the dog is badly injured or has died. As long as you are sensitive in your approach it should all be fine and they may well be expecting it anyway.

Contact your insurance company and give them the vet details as well as any other information you have. As a dog owner without any insurance I would fully expect to pay for any damage he caused in this situation.

I would ask them if they have their dog insured.

If they don't, I wonder if their home contents insurance might cover them?

am now out of pockets for around £1500 worth of damages to my car

Call your insurance company. This is why you pay for insurance, to cover you for damage. Did you not know that?

Yes I did know that @carlyclock
I'm a car insurance advisor so pretty clued up but also a 23 year old who has been driving for 5 years and would like not to have any fault claims against my names if there is no one to claim from.

You need to report the accident to your car insurance company regardless though.

As you work in the insurance industry can you ask a colleague how they'd handle it? I'm sure you could ask for a friend.

I'm a car insurance advisor so pretty clued up but also a 23 year old who has been driving for 5 years and would like not to have any fault claims against my names if there is no one to claim from.

So this is about avoiding insurance?

Oh well.

Yes correct but whether I go ahead with the claim is up to me & I would like to know the circumstances beforehand

I'd just get on to my insurance company. If you can't afford to be £1500 out of pocket on repairs then I'd not mess about with notes through doors or anything, that would be too personal for my liking. Just have to take it on the chin about the no claims. At least it's not your fault. I've got a not-my-fault on my insurance when a council lorry took the front bumper off my legally parked car (they turned too sharply and hit it). Sucks but I sure as heck wasn't paying for the repair.

Most responsible dog owners have insurance or will pay.