What's the etiquette when your delivery man damages your neighbours' properties

[lingle]

I ordered firewood. Last Saturday, the chap turned up at my front door. He walked through the house to the back door so he could check whether he'd be able to get access to the back down the narrow back lane that runs between the backs of the houses and the gardens.

Turns out he had a huge, full-size tractor plus trailer plus winch. I couldn't believe it when I saw it from the kitchen window. Nor could I imagine how he would get out back down the lane but was alone with the kids so couldn't help.

Not one, but two neighbours have come to ask whether I knew anything about "the huge tractor". One has large wrought iron gates. Two spokes that used to run parallel to each other now have a moon-shaped gap between them. And the solid Yorkshire stone garden wall to another property is actually broken -split down the middle!

I've given the firewood man's details to the gate owners (it was definitely him in that case). And I've told the other people he's a suspect.

Will insurance cover this damage? If so whose? These are both neighbours that I do not want to fall out with. Should I be offering to pay for the damage?

I'd say that unless you specifically told him he was fine to go through there, then it is entirely his fault and they need to take it up with him directly. Though you could also look at your home insurance to see if it covers you for this sort of thing, if you think it's worth having a claim in order to keep in well with the neighbours.

good idea, I never thought about my own insurance. Now that's complicated as I'm leasehold but still a good one to mention to the neighbours.....

I dont think this is anything to do with you, and I doubt that your insurance would pay out for this.
Even if they would then why should you be paying extra premiums for the next few years because of it?
This man made the choice to drive down the lane, and he made the damage. This is his fault, and nothing to do with you. I think if he has an employer they may be liable, not 100% sure, but this is not your fault at all.

I think your responsibility is to give them his details and make a statement if called upon to do so. It's not your fault if he's a muppet.

thank goodness very helpful thank you.

My son is stuggling with socialising at school but has taken a liking to one of the neighbour's boys - so I'd hate to do anything to risk that connection.

His public liability insurance will pay for it. He HAS to have it (or his employer does) by law.

islandofsodor is right - his pl insurance (or that of his employer) will cover it.