I was phoned yesterday by the wardens where our van is stored, saying that someone had reported scratches down the side of my van. Not serious, I'm told.
I can't get to see it before the weekend but does anyone know the legal situation with this? Almost certainly, the damage will have been caused by the van stored next to us but I have no proof that the damage wasn't there before (unless I luckily have a photo from our last trip out of the exact area).
Do I contact them privately and try sort it out or tell my insurance about it?
I'm hoping the damage will be easily fixed by the same people who repair scratches on cars? If so, it will be cheaper to repair myself rather than claim on insurance as my excess is £250, I think.
Anyone had anything similar happen to them?
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
I don't think photos will help much as it will not prove that the next van owners did it. Anyone with access to the site could have done it.
It makes me wonder why anyone reported scratches on your van to the warden. Why were they checking your van & how did they know these (not serious) scratches were not there before.
Check the scratches then talk to the site owner would be my advice. Do they have insurance? Who did report it? Why did they notice it?
------------- Steve
Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
I agree - seems a little strange that they were looking at your van and then reported it. Surely they could of always been on your van for all they knew.
It's a CC site and their T&Cs state they are not liable for any damage (no CCTV).
The warden did say on the phone that they weren't sure if it was damage I already knew about, so I assumed someone just happened to be nosing at our van (I always have a nose at other vans), saw the scratches and thought they'd do the nice thing and report it.
I also assumed the scratches were along the side as if someone had run their van along it when trying to park it - I'll have to wait for the weekend to find out for sure.
The bays in the site, as usual, are pretty tight and I've often wondered what would happen if I hit someone else while trying to reverse mine in (no motor mover).
Post last edited on 25/02/2014 15:00:57
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Sounds like a good warden, he obviously checks on the caravans stored there regularly & noticed the new damage. No witnesses & its down to you & your insurance to sort out unfortunately. Even if there was evidence on the 'van parked next to yours, ie matching paint scrapes it would still be down to your insurance unless other owner fesses up & coughs up.
If you clouted another caravan with witness present then your correct course of action would to exchange details & let the insurance sort it out same as a minor car accident.
Quote: Originally posted by michell8 on 25/2/2014
No witnesses & its down to you & your insurance to sort out unfortunately. Even if there was evidence on the 'van parked next to yours, ie matching paint scrapes it would still be down to your insurance unless other owner fesses up & coughs up.
Yeah, I've got the horrible feeling you're right...
And they aren't good wardens, I'm afraid...this was reported to him by another owner and he hadn't even bothered to go have a look himself before calling me, to make sure it wasn't more serious. Had a couple of other minor gripes with them before...if there was an option, I'd move my van...
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Mine was dented by the neighbour, I saw the marks and spoke to the site owner who gave me the chaps number and told me to ring him and then said that proving it would be hard because the chap wasnt coming back and its his word against mine. They have CCTV but didnt offer and I heard later that its only on for a week the cleaned. So its loose loose ime afraid from my point of view...
Can not tell by looking at the picture of your caravan weather it has a smooth finish or a embossed finish.
If smooth any car body shop will fill and paint match your scratches.
If the area is embossed and has dents that's another story
your caravan workshop will estimate for a new panel and will quote you a silly price that will make your jaw drop.
Fingers crossed its only scratches and can be painted.
You could be fortunate in that the person who reported the damage was the one who did the damage,and admitted it to the warden,can you find the name of your neighbour and have a chat with them.
I hope you get this sorted, at no expense to yourself.
Interested,as just bought a van and for the first time ever,have put it into storage, tight to get into too.