Hi everyone, im hoping someone will be able to help point me in the right direction for claiming for a repair for my caravan.
We went away in October to a site which had two barriers, one was a barrier that stopped cars getting in and the other was an overhead horizontal sliding one which would prevent large vehicles getting in (height restriction).
When we arrived on site with other parties, we all drove in one after the other perfectly without the need to stop.
Upon leaving the site, there was some traffic to leave so i was stuck under the barrier (car was sat underneath), as i went to pull off the horizontal barrier for height restriction had started to close and has caught the front of my caravan and has caused some damage. The site owners came out and said it was their fault and that they would pay for the damage.
However they have now put in a claim against us for causing damage to the barrier. I have contacted the car insurance to claim against them but they are not interested as its only car insurance they deal with, i have also contacted the caravan insurance company who says to contact car insurance company and claim through them. I have search the internet to see who needs to carry out the claim on behalf but getting absolutely nowhere.
Any advice on who i need to contact for a claim it would be greatly appreciated.
Damage to third party equipment is covered by your car insurance while the caravan is being towed unless your car insurance company specifies that the policy doesn't cover towing.
The damage to the caravan should be covered by your caravan insurance,the caravan club insurance only covers third party damage caused by the caravan while it is not hitched to the car.
You need to read the fine print in your car insurance policy to ensure towing is not excluded.
saxo1
Post last edited on 07/01/2021 13:53:38
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From my undestanding; if your caravan was hitched up to your car, the car insurance should pay out for this, as it forms a whole unit: car plus van.
I scraped another caravan when towing, and the car insurance settled the claim.
You may have to got through the car insurance grievance procedure first, and if not satisfied, contact the insurance Ombudsman.
I'd refer the site's claim to your car insurance company, and consider changing car insurance company at renewal time.
Do not accept any responsibility.
If you have any legal cover under your house insurance use them.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I agree with Jim. Car insurance are responsible, but I note the site owners had accepted liability. Do you have a witness of their comment at the time?
Many thanks for your replies so far. Speaking to car insurance, i am allowed to tow but they do not cover the damage even tho i want to claim against the caravan site, as they were operating the barrier at the time. Witnesses- only actual person who saw it was the girl operating the barrier. My in laws was in the car infront and didnt see it but heard my daugther screaming and saw that the barrier had closed on me and caused damage to the caravan.
Did the site have any safety notice by the barrier as now they are claiming of you.
If the barrier came down on and no notices they are liable for your damage
There are two barriers, a height restricted one that slides horizontal and one which just opens from horizontal to vertical. I was parked under both of them waiting for cars and vans infront to pull out of car park. as i drove off the horizontal one moved, the other one stayed up.
All good sound advice.
I wonder if by parking under the height barrier, rather than stopping before both of the barriers, you’re partly liable for the damage to the caravan. There’s that temptation to go under a barrier that lifted for the vehicle in front but the advice is to wait for it to come down & go back up for you - there’s usually a sign saying this. But I’ve never been to a site with 2 barriers.
And I’d wonder what damage was done to the barrier too. The counter claim may be hoping to balance out your caravan claim so both parties pay for the damage to their own property and don’t lose their no claims discounts.
Good idea to use the legal advice available from your car insurance, if you’ve paid the wee bit extra.
Firstly, without doubt, it is the responsibility of the campsite that inflicted damage to your caravan so they need to take full accountability of the incident. However, it's a bit of a dark area because although the damage was caused to the caravan it most likely comes under the car insurance but a towbar is sometimes a classed as a modification (depending on the insurance company) which your car insurance should have been notified by yourself that a towbar was fitted when you took the policy out or fitted afterwards. If you didn't then that gives them a get out clause and possibly a valid reason for them to refuse acknowledgement of the claim so you need to know the exact reason as to why they are refusing to accept your claim for third party damage. However, request the details in writing and avoid any verbal conversation on the phone as conversations can be denied should the matter escalate. They will confidently take your insurance money annually to cover you in the event of a claim so if you are not satisfied with their reason why they have refused to act on your behalf to tackle the third party then don't hesitate and take it to the insurance ombudsman. They will assess the complaint and the outcome could be that the campsite will have to submit a claim to their public liability insurance and once the ombudsman has implemented a case then the instructions will have to legally be acted upon. This will avoid having to pay solicitor fees for legal representation and should be the last resort if all else fails.