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Customer runs over hedge trimmer - Advice please

This week one of my customers ran over my longreach hedge trimmer.Initially he accepted responsibility say he would pay for it. I told him the purchase price he went quiet.I came back to him when I had an estimate for repair. (Approximately half the cost of the machine.) He has now changed his tune and does not accept full responsibility.He is saying I should claim on my insurance. Not sure what is covered, would this be public liability?Has anyone had a similar experience or any thoughts on whether I try and claim on my own insurance.I don't consider myself at fault in this.Thanks

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  • PRO
    Hi, where was the long reach hedge trimmer sitting when it was run over?
  • PRO
    No, PLI won’t cover you, but depending on other all risks cover you have, it could be..

    However the policy excess will be likely more than the value and may cause increases on renewal.

    If you feel the trimmer was in a suitable, safe work tool location then persue, but given he ran over it suggests it was lying on the floor / driveway ? He could respond it was unreasonable for it to be there and could go for damages to car tyre etc.

    If you believe to yourself you left it in an less thsn ideal place you will probably need to man-up & accept it as your fault.
    • PRO
      Ps also depends on the ‘value’ of the client to you......
  • He watched while I moved my stuff onto a 2m
    by 30cm high pile of clippings next to the hedge. The hedge trimmer was 40-50cm parallel to the hedge. The drive fits four cars in two rows of two. He was top left closest the house. With a 3 point turn he would have avoided the clippings completely. Instead he just reversed whilst turning and drove 75% of the way into the pile. I thought it was safe as house there. Is there a way to post a picture here?

    It was clear cut, he accepted responsibility straight away. No question of why it was there.
    But he is back tracking now we are talking money.

    He gets me to do a couple of mornings a year. So not my most valuable customer. He is a family friend though, which is adding awkwardness the situation.
    • PRO

      If i would have ran over or broken someone else's property, id pay for it....... 

  • PRO
    His household insurance may cover it as you were invited to work at his home, but I suspect he won't want to try and claim.

    Andy
  • I'd just suggest going 50/50 on the bill and put it down to experience....

    • PRO
      Given scenario, this might be a good compromise to suggest otherwise you would likely need to be forceful and that would end at least your business relationship.

      It’s s hard choice...
  • Update: He's checked with his household insurance provider and the excess is a tenner shy of the repair estimate. He has offered 70% of the estimate. Whilst I still feel a little hard done by, I will except this so we can both move on.

    Thanks for taking the time to reply.
    • Best solution all round....learn from it re your risk assessment for the future 

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