Bike knocked over - what to expect

[robocog]

TLDR;
M reg GPZ500 insured fully comp parked up,not being ridden, dozy driver mounts curb and pavement, twats bike over, admits liability

Will I get enough back to
a: have my bike back in the condition it was in before it was damaged
b: buy a similar bike in similar condition and mileage
c: buy a bottle of whiskey and a happy meal (not that I would being a non-drinking vegetarian)

The long version.

Monday mid morning
My GPZ500 (M reg 96) was parked outside my work (legally and not obstructing etc)

I was at work as I had been since 7:45am - further down the road with the boss at the time

I heard a bang - but didn't take notice (its a noisy industrial estate where its unusual not to hear the sound of vehicles meeting their end or being beaten back into shape)
The boss suggested I went over to where my bike /was/ as it had just been hit

I walked over and took photo's

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1975190_668155216559118_279361207_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1904115_668155046559135_1290852363_n.jpg

I asked if he wanted to go through insurance or if he was willing to pay for the damage out of his own pocket, initially he was willing to pay without a claim, but then changed his mind once I got the bike up on 2 wheels and started listing what damage had been done (fairing, indicator, bar, bar end, clutch lever , gear lever, foot peg, exhaust, twisted forks - possibly just a loosen yolk and straighten them job)

I rang my insurance (who claim to record phone calls) and he admitted liability to them

I received a few phone calls from BLD (not my insurer) to arrange collection of my bike and drop off a courtesy bike

I also got a call from /his/ insurer asking if I would like them to deal with it all
I explained that it was already being dealt with

I also got a call from DAS (legal, leathers and helmet cover kind of thing from what I gather- but as my bike was parked up and I was not involved/injured we concluded I didn't need their services)

The first phone call back from my insurer (or it may have been BLD - I got quite confused as to whom was dealing with what at this stage and was asking each if it was my insurer instructing them to call me - and putting the phone down on them if not)
went along the lines of "we have a problem and /I/ need to ring DVLA to sort it as my bike is coming back as a Subaru!"

I tried calling DVLA on my lunch break but it was so busy they could not take the call (suggesting I call back at a less busy period)

When BLD (at least I /think/ it was them) rang back to arrange collection of my bike - it had all been sorted and it was now coming back as a GPZ500 ...phew

I did ask that BEFORE my bike was taken away - that IF my bike can go back on the road that I could get first refusal at buying it back - I have an email stating that this is the case and really hoping that this is the outcome I get - plus enough to replace/fix the broken bits

I got the courtesy bike delivered Tuesday (10 plate GSF650) was dropped off and mine was picked up and taken away

The driver suggested it could take 6 to 8 weeks for things to be dealt with

My GPZ is not the prettiest/fastest most desirable machine, but to me it was the right tool for the job so I had it covered fully comp for peace of mind

Never claimed on any type of insurance before, but I guess that things are never exactly the way they are portrayed (as they are in the business of selling peace of mind - NOW is the time when I find out what that really means)

I am happy I have a bike to ride (even if its not quite the right tool for the job) so this side of things are on the surface working as I would expect

Don't get me wrong - the hire bike is lush and blows my GPZ away in every respect - it's just too wide to ride down the side of the house without mortal fear I'm going to have pay a £250 excess for scratching a bar end/end can - its a one bar at a time job and that exhaust gets chuffing close its so fat - and the engine protection bars are quite sticky outy

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1922103_668847209823252_589209092_n.jpg

Better to take the risk of light brick rash than leave out on the front

Starting to get worried that I could end up with a small payout, no bike and not enough ££ to buy another bike

Whats the reality of my situation?
Examples of real world outcomes would ease my sleep at night
(insurance have not offered any likely outcomes - but then I haven't asked)

Regards
Rob
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Needs a bigger garage...

[unluckyluke]

They will most likely write off your bike due to it's age and monetary value. They will call you to tell you this and then make an offer to compensate you for your loss of the bike. Upon them making this offer pretend you have never been so insulted in all your life and haggle like mad with them. Make sure while haggling you get included in the offer your old bike back.
Once you come to an agreement you'll usually find the money turns up pretty rapid as they want you off that shiny hire bike that they're paying to hire for you.

[swampy]

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1975190_668155216559118_279361207_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1904115_668155046559135_1290852363_n.jpg

Fixed those pics for ya chap.
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"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S Thompson
"Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death..." Hunter S Thompson

[janner_10]

It will probably get written off due to the age and they will offer you a cash amount for it - some take the piss, I found they offered decent money on my Fazer when that happened.

Best case is, you get the payout then buy the bike back and repair on the cheap yourself.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[robocog]

OK cheers for that
But to clarify - the cash amount /should/ be enough to buy me an equivalent machine - yes?
Or
My old bike back and enough ££ to replace the broken bits (not arsed about being "compensated" or making any sort of profit)

Just want the old girl back and to how she was - or something equivalently low mileage/maintenance free/power/width and with cheap a-plenty parts

(watching a few GPZ500's on eBay to try and make up a rough number I should be aiming at to get what I need)

To my mind I went fully comp in the hopes of - if ever mine went missing/burst into flames/got trashed it would get magically replaced - like for like and drama free

But I have a niggling feeling that it does not work like that now I'm faced with the cold reality / form filling in situation - and I'm going to end up feeling bitter I didn't just kick the driver in the balls, take what I could from his wallet and fix up what I could in the best way I could

(OK so this would never really happen - only in my head)

Swampy - cheers for that
Are the pics too large?

Regards
Rob
____________________
Needs a bigger garage...

[c-m]

Get some screen shots of recently sold or advertised GPZ500.

try and find similar age, mileage examples, and of course highly priced ones.

If the insurance company offer you a figure that you're not happy with, reject it and send your sale/sold ads along with pictures of your bike (looking great) and a writeup about it to the insurer via email.

They'll then make a much improved counter offer. Though TBH you'd be lucky to get £1500 max for a GPZ500 and that would be a late model.

Take the offer. Buy you old back of them, repair it and pocket the cash.

[Rogerborg]

Fully comp on an 18 year old 500? Really? What's your excess on that?

Not that it'll matter, since you're not at fault and the driver's insurance should pay you the full value of your bike, enough to buy an exact equivalent. Same age, same mileage, same condition. Those rare infill panels on yours are £80+ just on their own, by the way. I'd have had them off before the bike was taken away.

You're right to look on eBay. Do an advanced search including completed listings and see what bikes actually sold for.

Also, be aware that the cost of that courtesy bike will quickly exceed the value of your bike. The driver's insurer should pay it, which is why they were so keen to sort you out themselves. However, you do have a duty to minimise their costs, so don't stall them: if they make you a reasonable offer, take it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[swampy]

[Ariel Badger]

If OP makes a claim (regardless of blame) will OP not lose any NCB? I have heard of innocent parties just informing the insurance scum of an incident with no claim and still being raped the next time they insure.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Shaft]

[Dave70]

I've had two non fault claims and was told that it wouldn't affect my insurance and it hasn't.

Although, from what I've heard, not everyone has had the same experience.

I was also offered a great price, without haggling, when my first bike was written off, almost the same as I had bought it for, over 5,000 miles earlier.

Best of luck.

[robocog]

Infill panels , scotoiler, motorad M1, heated grip controller - all carefully removed before it was collected (in case of a worst case scenario)

Excess is £100 or £150 IIRC (I will dig out all details over the weekend to read the small print)

I have no intention of stalling the process - less than a couple of days in and I want the whole fiasco done with already - am already regeretting it went this way

Will keep the therad updated - cheers for puting my mind at rest

Regards
Rob
____________________
Needs a bigger garage...

[Aff]

[Monkeypony]

[P.]

[Rogerborg]

Good job on stripping the add-ons off.

[stinkwheel]

They will wriggle and saquirm and try everything in the book not to pay.

Non standard paint colour. Not paying.

Undeclared fairing mid-sections fitted. Not paying.

Let us knowhow long it takes for you to be "randomly" contacted by an injury compensation company.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Scythe]

Why have you got your own insurer to deal with this? It's his fault therefore surely you should be dealing with his insurer who will pay for it all??
____________________
2009 Yamaha YBR125 -> 2000 SV650S -> 2005 Kawasaki ZX6R 636

[cretin box]

[P.]

[johnsmith222]

Personally I would have just asked for the money for second hand parts to get it back into a rideable condition + whatever amount to make up for having to ride a bike which is no longer in good condition cosmetically.

You then have a couple of pluses. Monies + a bike you don't need to worry so much about scratching + no accidents.

[robocog]

[Rogerborg]

[robocog]

[flat eric]

Hi,

I did the same as C-M suggested (send photo's from auto-trader or other sites, of bike of similar age and condition).

And never accept the first offer.

It worked for me, when i was knocked off my mint gixer 600 on an 08 plate a few years ago. For me to get a bike of similar age and rediculously low mileage it would have cost a fair bit. but after speaking to the engineer on the phone, he gave me exactly what i paid for the bike 12 months previous (didn't tell him that though). Result i think.

But i still got higher insurance on my car and new bike as well. Even though it was not my fault. How is that fair. Robbing bastards.

Regards,

p.s. BLD are an accident handling company and they handled my claim for my insurance. they were really good to be honest. i was advised by BLD to go through my fully comp insurance as it was quicker to get the bike sorted and then claimed off the driver. And the commence injury claim. And the solicitors the insurance provided were really good as well.

The guy did try to change his story. was looking at 50/50, then at the 11th hour it was 100% in my favour....... result.
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There is always someone worse off than you !