Not a good day yesterday, a tractor turned into my path and I slowed enough to only hit him at 20mph maybe. Front end top fairing and dash smashed up (Dash still lights up, but the bike won't start). Forks don't look bent, but the usual, levers/clipons/fairings, scratch in tank and panels. So my question is, anything I should be doing to maximise my claim? Heard lots of stories of people getting lowballed on insurance. Do you always argue for more? Is there a tipping point percentage wise that they'll write the bike off? If it is to be repaired, will it be tarted up or can I expect new panels everywhere? I don't mind getting it back as I know it's history, but I don't want to end up with something that's 90 percent and worth less in the long run anyway. I've lots of pre accident photos showing what clean condition it was in. Mileage is 12,000 2012 Panigale ABS. Thanks in advance....
the only experience i can draw on is the crash i had on the 748 3 years back. it was a low speed off and little damage but lots of small scuffs and scratches... the insurance company sent round and assessor who was really good and put the damage down at 2.5 k. the bike was insured for an agreed 12k at the time due to all the mods and what not . if it were standard it probably would have been written off. the repairs came in at around 1800 so i was happy with the result. (not so happy with the broken ankle and 5 months off work!) not sure there is a way to fiddle the system as the assessor makes the call, although you cant contest his call if its seems to little *offering the assessor a bacon buttie and a cuppa may or may not increase the offer!
Thanks Chiz, Helpful. Not trying to fiddle the system, its just in some ways I'd rather the bike was written off, but if he declares it fixable, I don't know if you can request it's only fixed at Ducati with new parts or not?
If the bike isn’t at a Ducati dealer I would take it there and get an estimate. The dealers tend to list the slightest scratch which bumps up the cost to repair. The assessor will go to the dealer to see the bike. My brother crashed his 749 a few years ago and I could have fixed it for about £500. They wrote it off as the dealer quoted for an entire clutch when it was just the pressure plate and a new radiator as it had a tiny ding on the side which you could barely see.
‘If’ they write it off, look all over the place and do your own research regarding the market value of the bike. naturally yours was absolutely pristine. Argue the toss over here market value
My 2017 MT1200DVT S with 7500 miles was just over a year old - offered 11500 pushed them up to 12K The bike was written off after a rear end shut at maybe 20MPH Rear wheel shuff on alloy - rear exaust shield - hand guard - rear subframe and plastics at rear seat forward was unmarked - saved by crashbungs They said it was 7K damage - so prefered to right it off for the unknown as bike was stripped for repair...
You can certainly argue the value if it’s a write off - evidence such as printouts of similar bikes for sale via dealers, eBay, Autotrader etc can reinforce the point that you could not replace it for less than £xxxxx so their low figure of £yyyy (probably the low book price) is unrealistic...
Don’t forget to claim for any of your gear that was damaged even if only a light bump to helmet get it claimed for - leathers - boots the same if they do repair I’m sure you can argue for Ducati garage if they try & palm you off with the local bump & scratch mobile clinic good luck & glad you're ok
