Bike knocked over in night - Possible damage - What do?

GTR1400 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 16 Apr 2011 Karma :

Hey BCF,

Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with anything similar to the following:

I've just been woken up by a friend who's stopping over at mine as he'd heard something cracking off outside (apparently sounded like a fight and thought he'd heard something smash). So I got up, dressed, went outside and my bike was on the floor, fuel pissed out everywhere and at the very least some scuffs to the right side pillion handle and by the forks.

Bike was on sidestand with the steering lock on, and it certainly wouldn't go over just by the wind.

I've phoned the police and they said they'd just had a report of some young people in the same area, and that they'll have somebody get back to me tomorrow (29th) about a crime case. From there they said that I should pass on the case details to my insurance.

Just wondering what the deal with getting the bike looked over/repaired is likely to be? Anybody gone through something similar before and got everything resolved through either police or insurance?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Liam

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2013 Karma :

Sadly, I wouldn't expect any real help from the police. If they didn't arrest anyone last night, then they aren't going to find them. Even if they did, you'd probably end up having to sort out repairs then chase them for payment through the courts, and likely end up with them being told to pay you a quid a week from their dole money.

So, unfair as it is, you'll need to sort it yourself. Have a look at the bike. Hopefully it'll be cosmetic or minimal cost to repair, in which case live with the scuffs and find the leak or get a garage to quote to fix it.

If you have fully comp insurance, you can claim through them (which is where the crime number is needed). However, it'll lose you your no claims bonus and put up your base premiums for several years. Unless there is a lot of damage it isn't likely to be worth doing.

If you have third party insurance, with or without fire and theft, your insurance company won't be interested and you'll have to pay anyway.

Pretty rubbish, I know, but it's just like any other vandalism - the victim loses out one way or another.

Shinigami · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Karma :

as above, if no one was arrested last night then they've no chance of pinning someone to knocking your bike over
____________________
Current: ~~Honda City Fly CLR125~~ ~~2003 Honda CB600F Hornet~~ 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Fix it yourself, do not tell your insurer, then either get on with your life or become Batman.
____________________
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

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

This

jh4691 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 10 Apr 2014 Karma :

Agreed, if it's minimal don't speak to your insurer - even if you tell them about it but don't claim it will go on record and it will put your price up next year. I had a tree branch come down on my car roof which I told my insurer about but didn't end up claiming for, and when renewal came they whacked the price right up. Needless to say I'm not with them anymore!