Had to abandon my car due to the weather... What's the insurance position?

[alessio92]

Hi guys,

Hoping someone can help.

I had to abandon my Octavia 4x4 on a rural road on Monday. It was fairly snowy but definitely passable. Someone coming the other way got stuck in a drift on a narrow stretch and as I tried to pass them (with the intention of towing them free) two of my wheels slid onto the grass verge and that was it. I was completely unable to get my car off the verge. I called recovery but they weren't able to help. In the end, after 4 hours, I had to leave my car and walk to the nearest village for my wife to pick me up.

I've now found out that my car has been damaged, probably written off. I'm not sure how it's happened but based off the photos I've seen it won't be driveable.

I've looked through my policy documents and there's no reference whatsoever to bad weather or anything relevant.

What's my position with regards to insurance? Should I be covered given that I was forced to leave my car?

[ChrisKnottIns]

I'm at home but I've got an LV= policy wording here and there's no exclusion for bad weather. Why do you think you wouldn't be covered, especially as you've checked your policy wording?

 

best,

Nick

[alessio92]

Hi Nick,

I'm aware that many policies would invalidate you if for example you were to try and drive through flood water and become stranded, and I've also heard of so many instances where insurers have tried everything to get out of paying out on a 'technicality' - e.g. leaving the car parked somewhere away from home.
Good to know you can't see any reason for it though, that's put my mind at  rest. It does sound like they'll be paying out from what they've said!

[ChrisKnottIns]

I think it would be harsh if they declined the claim. Your car wasn't damaged by the snow as it would be by driving through flood water, it was damaged by someone hitting it. Hope it goes through smoothly for you!

 

N

 

PS. The overnight garaging requirement on some policies only usually applies to when the vehicle is parked within a certain radius of home.

[alessio92]

On 11/02/2021 at 21:03, ChrisKnottIns said:

I think it would be harsh if they declined the claim. Your car wasn't damaged by the snow as it would be by driving through flood water, it was damaged by someone hitting it. Hope it goes through smoothly for you!

 

N

 

PS. The overnight garaging requirement on some policies only usually applies to when the vehicle is parked within a certain radius of home.

Thanks v much. It sounds like they're considering it as malicious damage and accepting it so that's great. Thanks for putting my mind at rest.

[ChrisKnottIns]