Accident + Insurance question

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Thought I'd ask this query here...

Friend of a friend is going around saying the first question insurance companies now ask after motorcycle accident is:
"Where you wearing hi-viz clothing?"

If the answer is no they'll seriously reduce the payout, drag it out over months or refuse altogether.

Now this person states this is gospel, having got it first hand from his friend who was in an accident. Saying the only way he got paid was when the police stated hi-viz wear would not have made a difference.

Now the question is, how true is this?
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[mchaggis]

Sounds a little bit like bs to me. Anyone can wear whatever they want to, people still have a responsibility not to pull out on them. Matt black cars anyone? If you've not got your lights on at night, then the responsibility will be pointed towards you.

If you've not got bright clothing on during the day, what difference does it make? The car driver pulled out when they could see you. The responsibility is on the driver who doesn't have the right of way to avoid pulling out in front of someone. If they're too stupid/ lazy/ incompetent to actually look properly, then they deserve to get done for driving without due care and attention too.

If the biker gets further injuries because they weren't wearing a lid or sensible clothing, then I suppose the insurance company might have some grounds for reducing payments.

Next thing we know, bike thieves will be successfully claiming from the person whose bike they stole when they crash it.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[G]

Very untrue, I suspect?

When the car hits a kid crossing the road, will they refuse to pay out because the kid wasn't wearing hi-vis?

They may well use it to ascertain how truthful a "I didn't see you mate" claim is.

Cars have headlights for a reason. However, have a look at a biker wearing dark protective gear on a dingy street lit scene and you may be surprised quite how hard it is to see one, especially from behind or the side.

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[yambabe]

Well my other half was knocked off by a SMDSY about 4 weeks ago, night-time, the guy turned right across his path without indicating.

Nobody (police or insurance) has asked my fella if he was wearing hi-vis. The police did check his lights as the rat-scoot was being recovered, but as they were in good working order even after the head-on collision no more was said! They also checked his tyre tread, I'm not aware that they did that to the car driver though.....

Incidentally, the guy has admitted liability and been let off with a caution providing he attends a driver improvement course.

Personally I think this is a bit of a cop-out, and not much justice for 3 broken ribs, damaged knee, sprained wrist & whiplash. (And a dead scooter!) Still, as our solicitor said liability is liability I suppose.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[T.C]

Whether you were wearing hi Viz or not has no bearing what so ever on the the outcome of your claim.

If you had chosen to ride without a crash helmet on (aside from the legal implications) your claim would only be reduced by a maximum of 25%, and in all my years of dealing with motorcycle accidents and being involved in the civil litigation of claims on behalf of riders, I have never known anyone to suffer in respect of their compensation because they were not wearing Hi viz.

Whoever told you this clap trap was talking out of his/her arse!
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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[Fortuna]

I thought the only protection you needed legally was a helmet. You could ride naked and just be done for indecent exposure.

[Marc_Buck]

Lets forget how stupidly dangerous it would be for a moment, but imagine riding through town in the <insert weather/scenario here>
wearing only speedos (the tight skimpy swimming pants), nothing else, no gloves or even boots, just a lid and speedos, imagine what a laugh that would be.

EDIT- I may try it tommorow, although i do not like the thought of my injuries if i did come off.
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94 fzr600r

[kasandrich]

......May be best to wait until next summer now. The cold can cause terrible shrinkinage, and with nothing but speedo's it'd be hard to disguise. ......HTH
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Richard

CBR1000FM

[Marc_Buck]

i could always use socks.
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94 fzr600r

[map]

Thanks for the response guys.
I must admit it did sound like one of those urban myths.

It's nice to know insurance companies haven't had a new 'policy' towards this.


____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

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[PsychoHippy]