[Hayleyalysse94]

So my neighbour is taking up his driveway and had a digger on his drive yesterday, he’s manning the digger himself, he was out there for about 3 hours last night, come this morning I went to get in my car and there is 3 scratches, 2 have completely taken off the paint work and are quite deep and the 3rd is nearly the length of my door, I’ve not spoken to him as of yet (I will be doing) what’s the best way to approach it?

[Nick]

Hi @Hayleyalysse94 - welcome to the RAC Community and thanks for making your first post - sorry it's because of the damage caused to your car!

I would firstly make sure you've documented the damage somehow, taking photos, gather any CCTV footage (many ring doorbells or similar around these days that may pick something up). The main thing to do, but sometimes what can be the hardest part, is to speak to your neighbour about the damage. Ideally they would pay for the damage themselves, is he a builder by trade? Typically, when a building company is involved you would look to claim against their public liability or builder's insurance - I'm not sure how it works if he's not - it would likely be him paying out of his own pocket. If any challenges following, be sure to contact your insurance company to get them involved. Ideally you should likely let them know first - it's probable that you will have a contractual obligation to do so....

How do you know the damage was done by your neighbour?

Hope that helps, let us know how you get on.

[Drivingforfun]

Depending on your relationship of course but I'd be inclined to be as non-confrontational as possible

If you come across aggressively and like he owes you something (which he morally does, not denying) it's instinctive to want to resist even if he otherwise might've been more agreeable

I'm not a psychologist by the way 😂

[Rolebama]

I fail to see how he could have done the damage, if he did, and not realize it. He kept quiet about it, instead of advising you. I think you will be in for a tussle.
FWIW: I thought this kind of thing could be covered by his house insurance?

[olduser]

Adding to all of the above especially the documenting.

If it were damage to my car in that way, and I was reasonably sure it was the neighbour.
You could ask him if he had noticed doing it, and suggest his house insurance might pay.

Or I would contact the car insurers to make a claim, giving them all the information you have, leaving it to them to sort it out.