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An Auckland Transport (AT) compensation process, allegedly to help motorists repair tyres damaged by potholes, has been dismissed as a PR stunt by a Matheson Bay resident.
Dale Daniels says that on September 11, while travelling on Matheson Bay Road to Matakana, his wife’s car struck an unmarked pothole.
“The pothole caused irreparable damage to the wheel rim on her car,” Mr Daniels says. “The replacement cost was quoted at $1800, but we were able to source a satisfactory second-hand unit for $295.”
He paid the invoice and then sought full reimbursement from AT.
“For over a month I battled with AT just for a response. Finally, after emailing the chief executive, I received a letter from Jeremy Griffiths, an AT insurance and claims coordinator, declining my claim.”
Mr Griffiths’ letter stated that AT was only liable if “they were aware there was a fault or hazardous maintenance requirement and failed to act promptly in issuing an instruction to their maintenance to rectify the situation, or to implement control measures”.
“I regret to inform you that I am unable to consider that the damage to your vehicle arose from the negligence of AT and, therefore, your claim for compensation has been declined,” the letter said.
Mr Daniels says AT’s statement “that it would look at reasonable claims for damage” was just PR.
“AT did, in fact, know about the condition of the road and there was an article only one week prior in the Mahurangi Matters highlighting the quality of the local roads in the Matakana area to which AT were asked for a statement. The local tyre repair store advised in that article that numerous cars had been into the workshop with similar damage.”
Mr Daniels said that in an effort to save AT money he chose a second-hand rim.
“I am now penalised as I paid the lower cost repair directly. I should have left it with the insurance company.”
An AT spokesperson says compensation is only given in exceptional circumstances.
“This has been an incredibly wet year which has made roads more susceptible to potholes,” he says.
“It’s imperative that drivers are aware of this and drive to the conditions. Our contractors regularly inspect roads for damage and fix them as soon as they can.”
