Write off

[JonP]

Hello all,
Need a bit of advice re third party insurers writing off my bird.
Briefly, a car driver pulled out on me trashing me and the bike. Blame is all his. Police arranged recovery of the bike as I was being rushed to hospital and it has been stored by recovery company ever since. (Crash was on 21st sept)
Received a letter this morning from his insurers valuing the bike pre crash at ?2325.00 and the salvage value at ?279.00.
They have said that they are prepared to make an interim payment of ?2046.00 based on these figures. Further they have told me that I need to make arrangements for disposal of the salvage or move the bike within 3 days of the date of the letter (06/Oct) as they will not be responsible for storage costs thereafter.
Is this usual? My only previous experience of a written off Vehicle was a car and the insurance company dealt with the disposal of the car.
Advice and input would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

 

[mikeyw64]

no idea if its normal but I do have a question.

Whats the damage to the bike please ?

 

[JonP]

Lots of all round damage. I hit the car whilst braking from 70.
I have pictures taken at the time if you're interested but it was dark so not easy to make out all the damage.

 

[ianrobbo1]

Best people to ask would be your insurance company I would have thought,good luck with the disposal of it and please let us know the outcome :dunno:

 

[JonP]

I will call them on Monday Ian, they haven't exactly filled me with confidence so far!

 

[mikeyw64]

Lots of all round damage. I hit the car whilst braking from 70.
I have pictures taken at the time if you're interested but it was dark so not easy to make out all the damage.

Ouch, well at least you're still here.

I'm guessing that it's going to be pretty extensive

Any chance you could drop me a mail please Jon, mike@knickerssharetheexperience.co.uk


don't forget to remove the knickers!!!!!!

 

[ianrobbo1]

Possibly repost in the "legal" section as TC our resident Guru on all things bike and legalities related, will see it, chances are he will be able to help on both your insurance companies lack of "enthusiasm" as well as the other parties letter. :dunno:

 

[Centaur]

I had this salvage bollox when my son's car was written off.

They said they were deducting £50 for salvage and we could dispose of the car. I told them the car was not worth £50 and I would not get anything from the scrap man who came to collect. I offered to let them come and collect the car for the £50 if they thought it was worth that. They backed down and paid the full amount. I then sold it for spares or repair for £50.8rfl@ I am assuming you don't want the bike for salvage. If you do want it for salvage then it becomes your responsibility from when you get their cheque.

 

[JonP]

Possibly repost in the "legal" section as TC our resident Guru on all things bike and legalities related, will see it, chances are he will be able to help on both your insurance companies lack of "enthusiasm" as well as the other parties letter. :dunno:

I thought this was the legal section:dunno:

 

[JonP]

E mail sent Mike

 

[mikeyw64]

E mail sent Mike

Cheers and yes this is the legal section, you're not going mad

 

[slim63]

The insurance company are trying it on as usual, never accept the first offer

They are trying to force you to take the first offer they made & using the threat of possible storage costs to force your hand, tell them to go take a running jump until such point as they come up with a sensible offer

I would view the bike, decide what you think its worth as salvage (?10 sounds good) & tell them you will pay that out of your claim upon return of your property, also mention that you were not at fault in the accident & the responsibility for all storage costs lies with them & their client until such point as the claim is settled to your satisfaction

Mentioning or even contacting the insurance ombudsman should see their attitude change in double quick time

 

[ianrobbo1]

I thought this was the legal section:dunno:

No it's me, looking in on my phone and talking at the same time sorry!! :dunno:

 

[JonP]

The insurance company are trying it on as usual, never accept the first offer

They are trying to force you to take the first offer they made & using the threat of possible storage costs to force your hand, tell them to go take a running jump until such point as they come up with a sensible offer

I would view the bike, decide what you think its worth as salvage (?10 sounds good) & tell them you will pay that out of your claim upon return of your property, also mention that you were not at fault in the accident & the responsibility for all storage costs lies with them & their client until such point as the claim is settled to your satisfaction

Mentioning or even contacting the insurance ombudsman should see their attitude change in double quick time

Thanks Slim, this was pretty much what I thought but my righteous indignation has got me into trouble before and the last thing I need right now is a bill for storage because it turns out they are within their rights! :xm

 

[slim63]

Thanks Slim, this was pretty much what I thought but my righteous indignation has got me into trouble before and the last thing I need right now is a bill for storage because it turns out they are within their rights! :xm

Obviously I am not 100% sure as I'm not an insurance bod but if no blame for the accident is attached to you I feel they must be responsible for all costs incurred, I would check it carefully first just to make sure they cant get away with this then tell them to take a running jump

I had similar when I had a bike stolen, I reported it then found it myself, the police insisted on recovering it despite us being there with a van, it was pushed into a recovery place 150 yards from where it was dumped & I got it back 2 days later ...... When my insurance company offered a payout it was minus nearly ?300 recovery & storage charges :wank: I told them to get stuffed & eventually got the full value although it took a 3 month battle

Best of luck with it mate

 

[T.C]

Sorry to hear about your cras.

Firstly, given that the crash was not your fault and the recovery of the bike was arranged by the Police, you are entitled to be returned back to the financial position you were in prior to the crash occurring. In other words, any financial losses or costs can be claimed back from the third party, so this can include you travelling to the yard were the bike is stored to check it before arranging collection. In other words, if you inccur a cost, you can claim it back.

The third party will try it on in order to mitigate their losses, and will often make you a settlement offer in the hope that you will go away.

Were you injured?

If you were, I can assist you with your claim.

If it was damage only, I can put you in touch with someone who can assist you with the damage claim rather than go through your insurers who will drag their heels, but regardless, the costs are down to the third party who caused the crash in the first place.

Keep receipts or a diary of all costs incurred. You will be surprised how quickly they mount up, and if you keep a diary and receipts where possible, the other side cannot argue those points.

 

[JonP]

Thanks T.C,
I have contacted my insurers this morning and they have said that they have already had the bike moved and that the third party insurers have not even seen the bike yet.
My insurers are MCE, have you ever had any dealings with them? I will not be using them again that's for sure.

I was injured and will be looking to pursue a personal injury claim. Would it be possible to discuss this with you over the phone?

Once again thanks for your help,

Jon.

 

[T.C]

Firstly, good news about the bike being moved....

I have had dealings with MCE in the past unfortunately, but if you are looking to make a personal injury claim, then you can bypass them anyway as you are claiming directly from the third party insurers.

I will be delighted to help if I can.

My phone number is 0771 757 4675. Happy to talk to you without obligation.

Tony