Suspect my bike is going to be written off... what to do?

[Amber Phoenix]

34Couple of weeks ago I had a low speed clip, knob pulled out of lane of stationary into me and I dropped my Fazer 600. Caused bit of minor cosmetic damage, mostly cracks and scuffs, but repair quote came back at £1600 odd - new front cowling/brackets, indicator, belly pan, bar ends, clutch lever, pegs and top box. Good chance at this price, they'll want to write the bike off, with it worth about £1500-2000. Real shame, as its in good nick otherwise, only got 15K on clock, and still perfectly ridable, just a bit tatty. Liability hasn't been assigned yet, but it should be entirely in my favour. Currently just waiting on damage inspection from other guys insurance. Is this normal, or do you they not believe my repair quote?

It's also my first bike and I was hoping to keep building up some no claims. What would you suggest I do?
Obviously, argue the hell out of any bike value they suggest, refusing to accept first low ball price they give me. But should I take money, get new bike, new insurance policy etc? Or perhaps buy back the bike cheap, repair it and sort out getting it back on road as cat-C? What are the costs with getting a cat-c back on road? mot, dvla reg etc? Will it be a arse to insure?
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[multijoy]

Once you've nailed down the value of the bike, let them write it off, decline the salvage value and take the bike off them.

For motorbikes, there's no requirement to re-MOT or inspect a cat C, so simply fix it and run it. If you've not claimed against your insurance, then you've no issues with your NCB, although you ought to be declaring the accident for future quotes.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[DrSnoosnoo]

Get the payout and buy it back and fix it. You can get the major bits sorted first, like bars, levers and pegs. Then the cosmetic stuff you can just grin and bare and you might be in profit and can buy a new bike maybes. Cat C does nothing to insurance I believe. Everyone knows it's just cosmetic stuff anyway.

I don't think you need to get a cat c re-mot'd after you fixed it though, someone else will know.

Good luck, it should be a cut and dry case but just wait for a "witness" to say you were travelling at a million mph swearing at old ladies and swerving to hit all the kittens on the road.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[P.]

As above, if it is their fault, your NCB will be fine.

Reject the full payout and ask to buy the bike back, typically 10% of the overall claim value. Soo a £2000 write off, £200-£250 to buy it back. They just minus that from the full pay out.

No MOT, just hop on and ride.

[Amber Phoenix]

OK, that doesn't sound so bad TBH. Everything is still perfectly functional, still riding the bike to work, just scratches on everything. So not really urgent to replace anything really.

So further questions: I presume I need to inform my current insurance, it's now Cat-C? Will they just continue the policy as is?

The belly pan does have a chunk broken off, leaving a cracked edge. Will that be an MOT fail? Can always just go sans-pan for time being.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[Dave70]

I've been involved in two smidsy's. Both times I initially claimed from my insurance as they told me I would get paid out quicker that way (Got the go ahead for the dealer to carry out repairs within a week for the second one and got paid out within 3 weeks for the first as the bike was written off) My insurance then claimed from the other guys insurance. In my case it was my insurer that sent out a guy to visit the repair shop were my bike was amd he goy a list of damage and costs from them.

When it was all sorted out between both insurance companies with regards to who was at fault (collecting police reports and witness statements) I received my excess back and had my no claims status reinstated as I was found not at fault for either accident.

As for what you should/could do with regards to buying your bike back as a cat c and repairing it yiurself, well it depends on how much damage was done and what skills you have to do this yourself. Personally, I probably wouldn't as I have no idea what I'm doing but, others who do probably would, depending on costs of parts but, I couldn't really offer you advice on that because as I said I don't

Good luck getting it all sorted anyway mate and I'm sure others will be able to give you better advice on the question of buying it back as a cat c

[P.]

Registered cat c shouldn't affect it, some insurers cry and say MOT it, ask them to pay for it as it isn't a legal requirement.

[Brick_Top]

If it wasn't your fault, they have no right to write your bike off. You can get it repaired at a garage of your choice and claim directly off the other guys insurance.

Something to consider if you want to keep your bike mint.

[Wonko The Sane]

When I was looking at buying a Cat D and also a Cat C write off I found that some of the insurance companies that would insure me would then decline insurance when I rang them up to ask about it being a write off.

Two told me that their underwriter won't insure previously written off vehicles.

I was basically ringing up the 5 cheapest on thebikeinsurer.co.uk or whatever the site is called.
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[c-m]

It shouldn't really make any difference.

I know for a fact that Carole Nash (ok they're a broker), are fine with Cat C bikes, as my ZX9R was written off whilst insured by them. Once I got it back there was no problem with insurance.

https://defylife.co.uk/blog/motorcycles/returning-category-c-d-motorcycle-road/
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