Unfortunately I was knocked off my 15 plate Multistrada 1200 on Sunday, a witness has come forward to police to confirm 3rd party pulled straight out in front of me, so bruised fringes x’d it will be a fairly straight forward claim I sustained a fractured elbow , broken thumb, and some heavy bruising, having owned the bike from new, I’m gutted ! both handguards smashed, one bar end ripped off, a few panels are damaged, I presume the bike will be written off, I’m insured fully comp with Swinton, I am having to deal with 4th dimension accident management company, When it comes to what is an acceptable pay out should the bike be written off, should I be looking for what I would have to pay for a similar condition/mileage bike from a private seller? Or from a dealer ? Also I’d certainly think about buying the bike back, obviously it would be then categorised Any advice greatly appreciated
I dealt with 4th dimension in 2017. Apart from taking far too long they did ok, apart from not being careful with the heated grips. They worked fine before they had the bike, came back not working. That was rectified at no cost to me at a local Ducati dealer, but it showed they were unfamiliar with how to work with Ducati heated grips when stripping off bodywork and handlebars etc. You are under no obligation to use 4th Dimension, the insurers put heavy pressure on us saying we must, not true. You can ask it’s done at a local Ducati dealership, which will carry a warranty with the repairs.
Your insurance will go up in price after this on all your vehicles even if you have protected no claims. The question “have you had any claims fault or non fault in the last 5 years” is all they are interested in. Just wanted to make you aware of that.
When I got punted off back in 2012 I used https://sorrymate.com/ Fergus who owns the company is a biker and I had raced against him back in the Thundersport endurance days, it took a while as there were limited witnesses but I did get a good payout for the bike and for my injuries. HTH.
Have a look at my recent chat re Accident Management companies. You do NOT have to go through 4th Dimension!!! They will probably write off your bike. You don't even have to tell your insurance company if you are not claiming on your own policy. You CAN go directly to the other parties insurance company. I did that re a recent accident that wasn't my fault. The company (NFU) were VERY happy to deal with me. They allowed me to get my local Ducati garage to quote to repair (even paid an company to pick up my bike and take it to my chosen garage). They paid for everything, and paid for a new helmet (if my leathers were damaged, they would have paid for those, too). They would have paid for a hire bike, but I didn't need that. They also asked if I want to pursue a claim for injury (which I am). They paid for some physio and the meds I had to take post accident. They are paying for a Dr to assess my injuries so they can agree a settlement. Long and short, you have choices that DO NOT include going through your own insurance company or an accident management company, like 4th Dimension. Even if you have started to have that conversation, you can pull out and go down a different route at any stage. Give the other person's insurance company a call - nothing to lose!!
I've posted below, but have a look at my recent post, too...very happy with how things worked out/working out and I did NOT go through 4th Dimension or my own insurance company.
You do have to tell your insurer either way: or you risk (if bike is repaired and returned so policy remains in force) an issue if you have a claim during the remaining period on that policy.
Mmmm....Hasting Direct didn't seem interested when I approached them. My bike is now fully repaired and back on the road. I'll try reaching out to them, again. I'll let this thread know
Having had a total loss of my beloved 748R many years ago, theft not accident. I gathered as many adverts as i could from the usual places, MCN, AUTOTRADER e BAY of as close an example as i could find of my bike. Then took the average price and told the insurance company that was what i would accept. This was from dealers, not private as i had bought my bike from a dealer. New as it happened. They paid me what i asked for, a little more actually. I believe this is because i gave them evidence that would be difficult to argue with.
When my son had his 749written off through an accident that was his own fault he was offered a price and a lower price alternative plus the wreck back. The difference was only £300. Of course he took the lower figure and the £300 and rebuilt the bike to use as a track bike, which he still has. The vast majority of the write off valuation was cosmetic anyway, there was no structural reason not to re use it.
Having just gone through this with a car, absolutely the “must do” thing. Collect as much evidence of what is on the market and factor in “desirability”. Loss adjuster said up front, he could not see any vehicles of similar spec and condition for sale so had to start at “book” price. A dealer provided me with evidence of previous market history to show the car was sought after and 3 weeks later, loss adjuster upped the offer by 25%. Andy
Just spoke to Hastings Direct. They had never heard of that advice. As far as they are concerned, the accident was between me and the other party. I didn't need their claims services as NFU helped me directly. So, as far as they are concerned it's all good. They didn't need to know that my bike had been repaired and was back on the road. My insurance is good and legal. Just thought you/people might want to know.
I’ve worked in and around insurance for 25 years. If you don’t tell them about furry dice some will invalidate a claim! So trust no one…!
Unfortunately most, if not all, insurers share claims information. Even if you do not report an incident to your insurer, if you pursue the 3rd prty's insurer directly it will be on record. Also, if you do not use your insurer you likely lose a level of claims protection which means there is no recourse if the claim does not cover all eventualities. There is a proper term for this but I cannot recall it at the moment... and also just to echo the point above from Bradders... there's no flippin' escape and it does feel like a scam!
the key word’s in your post is ‘NFU’, the best insurance company in the UK, no exceptions. Unfortunately, and they fully acknowledge the fact they are not competitive on bike insurance otherwise I would have all my vehicles, house and contents covered by them.
