No taxi driver likes telling their insurer they’ve had a bump and it’s their fault. The cost of repairs could run into hundreds or thousands of pounds, even for a relatively minor scrape, and could affect their taxi insurance premiums.
But whatever the damage, taxi drivers must give their insurer full details of every incident, including liability, in order for the claim to be dealt with properly and for everyone to move on.
Sinking feeling
Whether it’s your own vehicle that has been damaged, or that of a third party, it probably doesn’t compare to the sinking feeling one driver experienced when their PHV hit a historic bridge, blocking it and then shutting it for months while specialist repairs are carried out.
The 15th century bridge in Bidford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, has remained closed to traffic since the crash early on Sunday, August 11. It is one of only two river crossings between Stratford upon Avon and Evesham and will remain closed until the end of November.
Warwickshire County Council has said that the collision “damaged the parapet and cutwater and compromised the structure”. As a result, the bridge is closed to vehicles but can still be used by cyclists and pedestrians.
Council engineers have been carrying out “significant behind-the-scenes work that, while unseen, is essential to the repair process. This includes instruction on specialist stonemasons, sourcing appropriate materials, designing scaffolding, and making access arrangements to carry out the work.
Historic monument
“The bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and applications for consent to the repair work have been made to Historic England and the Avon Navigation Trust, with the application to the latter still pending.”
Until Bidford Bridge is repaired and reopened, the council has paused current maintenance and resurfacing of the other crossing, Binton Bridge, in order to accommodate diverted traffic.
Cllr Jan Matecki, portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “We know that people have been wondering when the work would be carried out and I can assure commuters that there has been a lot of work going on to get repairs done as quickly as possible and reopen the road.
“We are committed to supporting businesses and the message that the town is open is paramount. A request to upgrade signs, emphasising that it is business as usual, on various approaches to Bidford’s High Street has been actioned.
“I would like to extend our thanks to adjacent landowners and the Parish Council who have provided space and access around the bridge to co-ordinate repairs. That will be critical in getting work done as quickly as possible.”
Damage
This latest damage follows several recent incidents which have seen the bridge shut following damage. In one of the most-serious cases, the Stratford Herald reports that the bridge was partially destroyed in June 2015, when an agricultural vehicle crashed into a wall, closing it for several months while specialist repairs totalling £390,000 were carried out.
Whether you’ve scraped the bodywork, damaged a bumper or hit an ancient monument, it is vital that you are completely honest with your insurer. That way your taxi insurance claim can be properly processed and all damage repaired without the worry of problems cropping up further down the road.
While taxi drivers take pride in their driving and try to maintain a good driving record, accidents do happen and it is far better to admit liability when you are in the wrong, than try to wriggle out of it and face far more serious consequences.
