Stop groaning; it's not one of those questions! If you use your 748/916/996 abroad as I do, then you'll need to be properly clued-up on the merits and demerits of European Breakdown policies. Not the most interesting subject in the world but vital for the once in a lifetime episode when you need it ! This morning I learned that bike repatriation from France to the UK is now costed at £3k which means that without knowledge of what your bike is worth, the clause that states: "we will pay up to market value of your machine" can leave you putting your hand in your pocket to get your bike home The insurers for older models [RAC and AA] use Glass's Guide and our own insurers to guide their decisions but as usual, to us the information can lack transparency. Does anyone here have access to Glass's latest values please? 748's now seem to fall into two categories: those you'd buy and those you wouldn't with service history, condition, originality and owners all mattering more than ever. I am trying to determine the value of my own bike for repatriation: 1997 748bp - very, very good condition, 1 owner, every invoice over 22 years, 72500km's and in original condition. Any help will be much appreciated and I hope the thread makes others think as I have been forced to do. Grazie mille Perhaps mods can move to 'general' discussion if they feel that is more appropriate?
Where abouts is the bike? I'll bet that someone like Chas Mortimer or @I'm closing in on here could do it a "lot" cheaper. Have you asked if you could arrange it and claim back the much lower cost? Saves them money and you as well. Bet it wont be allowed but "don't ask don't get".
Hughdg - thanks for the reply. I agree that the Big 2's repatriation figure seems expensive but that's the way their actuaries have costed this risk according to current knowledge. Your point about saving them money is well made but after a lengthy chat with the RAC [who I recommend highly], there is little decision that can be taken by the bike owner: when you need the European recovery service, you surrender to their process - they drive what happens.
Big brother strikes again! Personally getting so pissed off with the way large organisations keep ripping off the ordinary person. If it was me I'd be tempted to dip in my own pocket and help give a living to another small guy just for the satisfaction of not giving outrageous profit to a faceless superpower. But that's just me being stubborn in truth. Hope it all gets sorted ok for you whichever way you go.
I don't disagree but with you but with so much to arrange on foreign trips most of us will take the easier path on this and it would be nice to know the bike's value is enough to cover the suggested repatriation cost: hence my scouting for Glass's guidance etc.
After reading this, i take it your bike has broke down in France and you are back in the UK? and they want to empty your wallet to let you have your bike back ? If so get a van and go pick it up and pay the recovery company there pick up fee or use( Im closing in) as he is often in Europe or am i not reading your post right. Value wise a 748 seems to be around 5k give or take, then its condition milage etc.
I must admit to being confused by the op Are you saying, despite having international recovery cover through your insurance, the insurers have said to recover it would cost more than the bike is worth so won't do it?
I think the OP is talking about hypothetical breakdown requiring bike repatriation and what that will mean?
I’d be a little more bullish than @Roadtrip and say a 1 owner, original, immaculate 748 BP of that vintage would fetch £6k. However, yours has a higher than normal mileage, and being in Km, may not be a UK bike, thus Id apply a discount and say it’s worth £5k as per Roadtrip. The problem IMO with something like Glasses is that it doesn’t take into account the difference in conditions & history’s of bikes (or cars) that are 20+ years old, this I’d lay money on Glasses putting a value of 2.5-3k on a 97 748, this being the value of the average multi owned no history, poorly maintained dog out there.
I’m back in Spain in two weeks and at the moment driving back through France as I cannot find a boat I am hoping one crops up though so possibly pick the bike up?
Have you broken down and its abroad? Where? Complain to the recovery company. Yes it is a limit, but like always (its insurance) they will do what they can to dodge paying! BTW (its been a few years) but Aa had a flat £900 repatriation cost for the actual delivery across europe with its partner so there's normally room to manoeuvre If you get no joy, rent a van and go get it
BTW, the policy will be 'must be worth more tan the cost of repatriation' and therefore likely the 3k is an arbitrary (designed to not pay out) figure.
I’d be very reasonable depending on where in France it’s all down to how far off route and where to in uk put it this way I just dropped 3 little bikes off in Spain wasn’t much over £700 but it was not too far off my route And it just tied in with other stuff going down then I was full coming back so it worked out but every job is different can be surprisingly cheap though
Good morning Ducatisti. Thanks so much for all the interest and offers of help and advice - isn't our little community great ! To be clear; no I have not broken down anywhere and I am not abroad. The point of my thread was to alert others (that may take their Ducatis abroad) that the repatriation calculation used by the two large providers of Euro Breakdown policies uses "market value" and that in the event of any of us needing their Euro services, they will factor bike value into the equation to the point that you may find yourself needing to put your hand in your wallet to bring the machine home. And to be clearer still; they will bring the bike home - it's just that you may be contributing. My apologies for the confusion. Many of us have also learned that there are esteemed members out there that will help us and do so at a fairer price - true community spirit is alive and well ....... Thank you one and all.
