Bike Crash - Insurance comp? WTF

magnethead

Hi I crashed my bike (not my fault Someone pulled out in front of me and I T-Boned them...I was down to about 20km but still bent the fork back in and the frame (Long front bars) bent back slightly 1/2 inch so they are righting it off.

I'm here to ask for Advise on compensation, The guys insurance company admitted lieability but it feels like they are trying to rip me one all the same (First time dealing with Insurance claims so maybe this s&^t is normal?)

THe Bike was bought in 2009 for €8500 from Harley, I added another €2000 in parts

Power commander (+ Auto tune kit)
Sissy bar, passenger pegs, Large seat
K&N air filter
Highway Pegs, New Pipes

So Let's say 10,500 in Total (If we can?, Do the value the extras put on)

They are offering €4000 five years later? Does this seem reasonable?
or €3000 + the bike back

I could repair it, Do people pull the frame here for a small distortion or is that a NO NO

Pics here

normal start + s679.photobucket.com/user/magnethead123/library/Bike#/user/magnethead123/library/Bike?page=1&_suid=1415793878779046561007772105667

Cuddlesworth

The insurance company is obliged to make sure you take no monetary loss from the accident. What you have received is the low ball offer, which is normal because most people take it. If you want to aim for true monetary resolution, you might need to pick a fight with them.

You need to find similar examples of a bike of that age and mileage for sale quoting their average value. You can include English examples of the cost of import(VRT and shipping) if there any little to no Irish examples.

Then you need to provide receipts and photos of existing modifications to your current bike, including links to purchasing similar parts and cost for install on the new bike. List everything, provide multiple examples if you can, quotes from at least two garages for install and purchase in necessary. Be prepared to acknowledge some depreciation going from 4 years to new.

Claim for every single piece of gear you were wearing. You came off the bike and now have no idea of the durability of any of it. No manufacturer of safety qualifies their products for any more then 1 accident. Its safety gear, it has to be replaced with new, not second hand for the same reasons as above. You are unable to be assured second hand gear is not damaged to a adequate standard. Same as above, photo the gear and provide examples of the same for purchase. If not the exact same, show its modern equivalent.

Involve any taxis or transportation costs from the accident onwards if the bike was your sole form of transport. Track and update these daily.

Do not sign anything stating that you absolve them of any further injury claims in regards the accident.

If you not really arsed doing much of the above, you could employ your own insurance assessor. I know Adelaide use a company in Ireland who specialise in this, they offer it as a extra. As far as I know, the cost of the assessor is also something that can be claimed for. You would need to check though, I'm not 100% positive on that.

galwaytt

Fight them. hard. A bint did the same to my Road King last year, and it took 9 months to sort.

Wrt the damage: you really need to have the frame checked - if it's any way damaged, the ins co will write it off - assessor looking at mine told me that. You'd want to be 100% that it's forks only.

The value that's key here is replacement value, not 'market value'. Market value is a BS figure tbh.

magnethead

Thanks so much, you are a great man for the detail, I hadn't even thought about the gear, It will ease the pain if I claim for new stuff head to toe, and sell it to somebody who needs it.

I put all the parts on myself, but you're right I should count the cost of someone doing the work ;p haha that'll double up the cost

The frame was bent only slightly (on the straight section at the front - see pics) If I started the engine now, the pipes would vibrate off the frame.

I expected a bit of depriciation alright but not that much, It makes sense when you say they are trying to fob me off with a low ball quote.

ok, I'll get started on this and report back here.

magnethead

Thanks so much, you are a great man for the detail, I hadn't even thought about the gear, It will ease the pain if I claim for new stuff head to toe, and sell it to somebody who needs it.

I put all the parts on myself, but you're right I should count the cost of someone doing the work ;p haha that'll double up the cost

The frame was bent only slightly (on the straight section at the front - see pics) If I started the engine now, the pipes would vibrate off the frame.

I expected a bit of depriciation alright but not that much, It makes sense when you say they are trying to fob me off with a low ball quote.

I was with Adelaide (Cancel my insurance to get half back), I'll give them a shout about the assessor

ok, I'll get started on this and report back here.

turbot

The insurance industry use loss adjusters because they understand that many people are highly compliant. It is standard for them to offer you the minimum amount they think they can get away with and creatively justify doing so. It is worth studying this in detail such that you can respond appropriately and get what you deserve.

Keep in mind, loss adjusters are companies professionally engaged to minimise payouts on behalf of insurers because doing so makes insurance companies much more profitable. E.g. if they had to spend 1000 euros to write a letter to you and find a basis to reduce your claim payout by 2000 euros, this greatly increases their profitability.

magnethead

Got ya Turbot, Insurance companies are as bad as Banks when it comes to Greed, I'll do what I can so this Claims hurts them a bit

Del2005

To be honest I wouldn't give much extra if buying a bike with the accessories you fitted against a completely standard bike, it would make your bike more attractive if I had to choose. You rarely make money back on accessories in a sale so you can't really claim for them, insurance is to return you to the same state as pre crash it's not what people like to hear.

They are low balling on the payout, never except their first 2 offers, but you'll be compensated to the price you can get a replacement for not how much you paid.

magnethead

Good point Del, Someone here at work mentioned that too, All the bits you add don't count for anything...Like a Rev head who zups up his car, only another rev head will appriciate the parts

I focus on getting as much similar adverts for a same year bike, unfortunately there will not be many in Ireland (prob a bit more in the UK)

and of course go after them for all the gear

Faing

Make sure you keep an "Out of pocket expenses" Diary. Include absolutely everything that can be put down to being the result of the accident. If they have admitted liability it will be in their interest to settle sooner rather than later. Keep receipts for everything and although it may seem a bit pedantic doing this, it will pay in the long run. If you were using a personal claim agent, they would be doing a similar thing with the diary/record thing.
Do not accept the first offer as it is company policy to offer reduced amounts on the off chance that the claimant is desperate for a settlement. Do consider buying the bike back and having it repaired only if you would be comfortable in the knowledge that it has been repaired.
Be a real pain in the arse with them, always ask them who you are dealing with and their position in the company, note times and length of phone calls as they will pay for them if you include them in your out of pockets.
The other posters were bang on when they told you that a settlement figure is based on a suitable and equal value/condition replacement vehicle. If the bike is in storage you are quite within your rights to remove any parts from it because it is still your bike until settlement. Like it was said, they don't pay out extra for "Extras" so get them if you want them, you do not have to inform them either. The assessor will note only the general condition of the bike.
Keep at them until you are fully satisfied and don't take any bull from them.