A livery’s horse hit my car - who pays?

[KatieDM]

I was hoping to avoid using my car insurance as they tend to increase the premium even with a ‘no fault claim’. And it’s my son-in-law’s car which I was borrowing (I’m on his insurance).

I was going to say… My husband has been driving for 20 years. Filed a no-fault claim against a skip driver who took his door handle off. It’s still having a big impact on his insurance premium 5 years later. Avoid!

 

[BallyJ]

Personally, depending on how much I liked the yard, I would get a price first and foremost on repairs.

Then either pay for it myself (as it isn't your car so needs sorting ASAP), or pass the bill onto the yard owner to sort but be aware this may sour the relationship! Wouldn't pass onto the horse owner, thats the YO's battle to fight!

 

[OlderNotWiser]

Thanks everyone for your responses, most of which share the same opinion. Just for clarity the tractor is only on the yard once a week to empty muck trailers so the groom could have waited to turn the horse out.
With regard to proof, the incident was captured on CCTV and the groom admitted to the owner that she was leading the horse.
The owner is paying for the repairs but she feels that it’s not her responsibility so will take it up with YO. So at least I don’t have to worry about my relationship with YO.
It has sparked debate on our yard as a car can be fixed but who would have taken responsibility if a child had been injured?

 

[Parrotperson]

I think the sign doesn’t protect them in as much if you prove negligence then you have a case.

But as others have said leave it to the insurance company depending on the excess amount obviously (if the repair is £190 and the excess on the policy is £250 then not worth claiming)

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Is it not the case that cars are parked at your own risk? I park my car on the yard, if my yard mate's horse dinged it I would consider it my fault for parking it on a yard where there are horses but that said I drive old cars that I own outright.

same her, we have items are left at the owners risk and we are not responsible for any damage caused. Our car park is outside the gate and the only way a horse gets near is if the horse owner leads the horse outside and up to the car. Then again we have no staff here it is just me and I don't take horses outside the gate.

 

[Wishfilly]

Thanks everyone for your responses, most of which share the same opinion. Just for clarity the tractor is only on the yard once a week to empty muck trailers so the groom could have waited to turn the horse out.
With regard to proof, the incident was captured on CCTV and the groom admitted to the owner that she was leading the horse.
The owner is paying for the repairs but she feels that it’s not her responsibility so will take it up with YO. So at least I don’t have to worry about my relationship with YO.
It has sparked debate on our yard as a car can be fixed but who would have taken responsibility if a child had been injured?

Perhaps slightly controversial, but there is always a risk of injury around horses and I would expect any young/not horse savvy children to be closely supervised.

I accept in this scenario the groom could, perhaps, have waited (although you don't necessarily know what her instructions were from the YO and how much time pressure she is under), but there is always a chance that horses will spook on a yard, and people with young children do need to bear this in mind when bringing them onto a yard.

Maybe a groom can wait, but I'm often in a rush, especially in the mornings, and need to turn my pony out quickly. On my current yard it's not an issue, but on my former yard, there would sometimes be children using the yard as a bit of a playground.

Is the groom employed by the YO or freelance?