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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not have insurance for my child

87 replies

Nevermakeit · 01/12/2020 16:14

Just called up by another mum. Her DS and my DD (both aged 5) apparently bumped into each other in the playground last week, and her child knocked his tooth.

Tooth now wobbly and gum is bruised, and she has contacted her insurance for dental work - now or over the next 10 years (that is apparently the duration of the claim). I should mention, she is an expat and apparently has great insurance cover!

She is now saying her insurer needs to be put in touch with mine, as my daughter is involved in the incident. Problem is, we don't have insurance for that (I guess it would be personal liability?) - either for her or for us.
We have house insurance, health insurance (through work), and car insurance obviously.
What do others have ? Do you have insurance for yourselves or your DC, in case you accidentally hurt someone or damaged something in some way? I am suddenly wondering if we are being reckless and foolhardy not having some sort of personal liability insurance! (it's definitely not covered by our home insurance, I have just checked).

OP posts:
UsernameChat · 01/12/2020 19:34

That sounds crazy. Just tell the other mum you don't have insurance, and try not to drive yourself crazy with 'what if' scenarios.

Hopefully her child's tooth will be fine. Mine knocked his falling off a bike and the tooth went grey. Went to the dentist, who said it was fine, and colour may go back to normal after a while. Went back for a second xray 3 months later and no lasting damage to tooth or gum and tooth has now returned to normal colour. Your child's friend may find their tooth heals in the same way.

formerbabe · 01/12/2020 19:34

@Chloemol

Just tell her

1 it was an accident and her child is as much to blame as yours
2insurance is not required in this country as the nhs covers any accident care
3 if she wants to sue anyone it should be the school who had duty of care for the children

Then ignore

I wouldn't even admit it was my dc involved. I wouldn't engage at all with her.
Charleyhorses · 01/12/2020 19:38

You probably do have personal liability insurance on your contents policy.
But in the UK there has to have been negligence. Which there hasn't been.

VestaTilley · 01/12/2020 19:38

Nobody in this country has any such thing. Tell her it was a usual childhood accident; you’re sorry but you have no insurance details to give her and certainly won’t be giving her money.

Sounds like a scam!

ThePants999 · 01/12/2020 19:55

@Puffalicious Rank and file police staff are often not very well informed on matters of civil, rather than criminal, law. You are not liable for your son's actions unless they're the result of some actual negligence on your part. See www.inbrief.co.uk/child-law/child-accidents-compensation-liability/

Mapletreelane · 01/12/2020 20:06

Don't engage at all apart from politely to say Fuck off. How do you even know it your child was involved? Unless someone had a video how on earth does this mother know what really happened. 5 year olds FFS. Just politely reply it is nothing to do with you and is a school matter and please do not contact you further. The school will have an official policy way to tell her where to go. Also tell the school. I'd be surprised if they had told her it was your DD involved as they shouldn't give out names. And if she does keep contacting you politely tell her to stop harassing you. Let us know how you get on OP. Good luck. Just do not admit anything .

Loveable1 · 01/12/2020 20:14

I wouldn’t engage with that kind of craziness! Direct her straight to the school and let them deal with it.

The school haven’t informed you of any accident.

If she keeps on then block her.

RB68 · 01/12/2020 20:19

we are talking about baby teeth = they will fall out anyway in the next couple of years. I too would brush it off and say kids dental treatment is free in the UK and a knock or a bump is not unusual or deliberate in the playground. Then quote the case above mentioned by somone else re accidents

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 01/12/2020 21:25

Just explain that due to the availability of free at point of use medical care for accidents in the uk (including for longer term care), there is no requirement to have insurance of this nature in the UK. Be kind about it but firm that legally you have no financial liability towards her or her child in this instance in the UK.

Mapletreelane · 01/12/2020 21:59

OP, don't even say anything about insurance, free NHS care. That has no relevance at all as you don't even have any evidence your DD was involved. She may not have been involved. How does the woman even know it was your daughter and what the exact circumstances were? 5 year old kids are not the most reliable witnesses in a playground incident. A polite "I am very sorry, I have no idea what you are talking about. This happened at school so please address your concerns direct to school. Please do not contact me about this again." You have absolutely no legal or moral requirements to engage in a conversation with her about this. Think in the real world...what is an insurer truly going to do? Apportion blame in a playground incident where the witnesses are 5 years old? I'm not an insurance or law expert but i would say no.

Puffalicious · 01/12/2020 22:38

Thepants999 that's really interesting, thanks for this. I wonder if Scotland is the same since we have a completely different law system? I shall try to look into it for future reference. Thanks again.

Veterinari · 01/12/2020 23:06

@Bluetrews25

Can she still use EHIC after 31/12/2020?
No. But unless this thread is from the future the advice still stands
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