In praise of NFU after the day from hell

Hovis_and_SidsMum

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Yesterday was horrific but through out it all NFU were brilliant.
After being well all week, yesterday Hovis' girlfriend took a sudden turn for the worse.
The vet was called out and a decision made to rush her to Oakham.
Hubby and I offered to drive her and her owner, as her owner was understandably v upset.
Halfway down the A1 there was a tremendous bang. We couldn't see M in distress in the back (we have a camera) but assumed she may have slipped so we started to pull across the traffic to find somewhere to pull in. As we did there was another loud bang and the lorrys steering went to pot.
Huby managed to steer us into a layby where it became very obvious both driver side rear tyres had burst.

One phone call to NFU later and a break down lorry was on its way to fetch new tyres then come out to us, the highways agency was infomred to start proceedings to shut the A1 and a specialist recovery company phoned to get the horse off and onto another lorry. We made the decision to leave her where she was as we would have had to close the A1 in both directions and by this time she was standing on 3 legs so we didn't know if we could move her at all. She was very calm and eating hay and after talking to the vets we left her where she was. NFU phoned the police as we were listing into the inside lane on the A1 - the police phoned to say they were coming then never turned up!
The break down man did an amazing job jacking up the lorry from the rear and changing the tyres with his head inches away from the traffic whistling past us.

The one light hearted moment came when a very lovely man stopped in a horse box to offer help. We were all stood talking when hubby yelled at S and I to get out of the way and lept forwards to stop the horse box squashing us - the man had left the hand brake off and the lorry was rolling towards us! Hubby held it back whilst the man got the handbrake off - cue lots of very nervous hysterics, the only humour in the entire day.

The break down man got us on our way and we got Hovis' girl to hospital where she remains. A decision will be made today on her. Any spare vibes v v welcome - she is a v sick girl.

But the main point of my post is to say how amazing NFU were. They kept in constant phone contact, kept checking on the mares condition to see whether we needed to change plans and were generally fab. The £11 a month we pay for this break down service was so very very worth it. The man thinks a stone got wedged between the tyres and of course rubbed away at both of them causing a double blow out. We were very lucky.

So praise for NFU and a request for vibes for Hovis' girl. Yesterday truely was a sh*t day.........
 
You have just got them another customer! I got a quote from them the other day and was umming and ahhing over it. i will ring them now and confirm
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Hope the girlie makes a swift recovery and well done to all those that saved the day!
 
What a day!!! Could anything else have gone wrong??? I can't believe the police didn't turn up!

Vibes for the poor horsey! Her owner must be losing the plot with stress!
 
What a scary day for all concerned
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Sending <<<<<vibes>>>>>> for M and hope she makes a full recovery






Nice to hear of an insurance company that actually cares about the people and animals that they insure.
 
NFU are fab! They are very good at keeping in touch aren't they and making sure the horse (and people) are still fine.

Hope the mare makes a good recovery.
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Pheeeewwwwww, what a drama, well done NFU, so glad you all ok
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, the police musy have been too busy in their Helicopters nicking people for not having a TV licence or Tax Discs
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OMG you are the second person this week I know thats had a blow out on the lorry
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NFU are awesome.

Huge amount of vibes flying over to Oakham for Hovis girlfriend
 
What a day!! Luckily I made it to the vets before my box died. I took my mare the Edinburgh Vet School, 200 miles away on my own. Box wouldn't go when I needed to leave, so they had to rescue me, my mare and box back to Gatehead, was a very expensive day for them as as they paid the vets fees as well. Agree they are great.
 
Lots of hugs for all involved, esp for Hovis's GF.... Sounds like the day from hell and Glad NFU were so good, will get a quote next time round, thinking of you all
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Oh god what a day! Its nice to have something to praise companies about, particularly those we don't want to ever have to use.

Hope fit mare is on the mend.
 
Everything crossed for Hovis's girlfriend and thinking of her owner, and relieved to hear you all survived yesterday. Phew.
 
Yes, the NFU are very good in an emergency.
However, their Finance Department are not quite so efficient.
Just make sure that they don't do to you what they did to me and left my bank account overdrawn.
I had a Monthly DD - but for some reason best known to themselves, they took 12 months' worth on one payment. Also, a friend of mine cancelled the DD on ONE car but they cancelled BOTH. Driving around for nearly 12 months before we realised that the other car was NOT insured.
 
After many years of not being with the NFU, they were the only ones who would give me full no claims discount when I got my vehicle. I had been driving as named on hubbys vehicle (due to work cock-up!). They have been brill and were over £400 cheaper than anyone else. They have also been very helpful with lots of financial advice and info. Think it does depend on which branch you use. Hope everything improves for you.
 
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