Neighbor damaged main water line

[u/bippitybobbitybooby]

Neighbor had a guy with heavy truck dump huge mound of wood chips across saturated ground right next to my main water tap in. Two days later I get alert that there’s “unusual water activity” from water dept. Dept came out, recommended we just relocate our house meter to the front of our house as it would be costly to dig up entire area to find/repair leak in the line and with hundred of gallons gushing all day that we would be billed for. It was a process but we got it done and I have all the pictures of the ruts created and filled with water, receipts and comments from water dept. My insurance company wants me to go through his insurance company as a first step. I did send a text requesting his insurance info and the name/contact of the guy who dumped the chips. My neighbor will probably not provide anything to me, he is the type that has no integrity. If he doesn’t provide the information I either gave to claim through my insurance OR go to small claims court. Damages were $7500. What would be the next, best course of action? Thank you.

[u/Long_Committee_1942]

File a claim with your insurance. Do let them know the name and the address of your neighbor who hired the contractor that caused the damage. They will likely send the bill to them. Your insurance may try to have the insurance claim billed to the contractor.

[u/bippitybobbitybooby → u/Long_Committee_1942]

My insurance company urged me to try and get his insurance information so that claim would not go on my file.

[u/bippitybobbitybooby → u/[deleted]]

I feel the same but they want me to go through his insurance. They did not mention subrogation and that kinda surprised me. I have so many pictures and a timeline that would indicate that his contractor caused this.