Insurance claim question

Insurance claim question

Author
Discussion

trumptriple

Original Poster:

202 posts

130 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
I was sitting at a roundabout, waiting to turn left, when the car behind drove into the rear of my bike. Damage is minimal, my plastic mudguard is cracked and number plate smashed. Can't see anything else wrong. Another biker stopped as a witness smile

The driver was a bit evasive, denied responsibility, said my bike looked fine(!), didn't give me his insurance details. But it seems he is insured. I've notified my insurer (I'm TPFT). Now waiting for an assessor to come and see the bike. It's still rideable though.

The other driver keeps trying to ring me now. He left me one message on my phone. In return I left him a message saying my insurance company is dealing with it.

So my question is, should I now ignore his calls? Given his elusiveness in the flesh, I don't want to get into any dispute, or discussions about cash settlements, etc.

Any other advice welcome!

creampuff

6,511 posts

142 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Do you have a sore back?

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
I would just speak to him to point out that I did not wish to discuss the matter over the phone, and that all future dealings will be done via the insurers. That is what you pay them for.



creampuff

6,511 posts

142 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Personally, if it really was minor damage and I was at fault then I would just accept cash to fix it as it would be cheaper for everyone (as non-fault incidents can lead to higher premiums anyway).

However now you have told your insurer, you should go with your insurer to sort it. If you don't then now that they know about it anyway, then it will likely otherwise be an unresolved incident on your file which may increase your premiums even more than a non-fault incident.

trumptriple

Original Poster:

202 posts

130 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks chaps. As I thought, I'll let the insurer deal with it. Cash deal with him isn't really appealing, as I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him.

He said he didn't know how it had happened, as he didn't even move his car! I pointed out that it's not possible to reverse a motorbike fast enough to leave it embedded in a car (the bike was standing up of its own accord, still attached to his bumper). Wouldn't want him coming back and claiming against me for his damage...

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
i went into the back of a yaris many years ago, totally my fault.

I got out said sorry, said id pay for any damages if it was too much we will go through the insurance

£200 it cost me for a new bumper.....surely thats the easiest way

trumptriple

Original Poster:

202 posts

130 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Yeah if he'd been less dodgy and said something like you did moanthebairns, then I'd have been more open to the idea.

p.s. creampuff, no my back is ok thanks! I've been through that before when I was knocked off my speed triple and actually did hurt my neck. Can't be arsed trying to pull a fast one.

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
You're TPF&T. There is nothing for your insurer to deal with, as this loss isn't insured.

Get cash off the guy to cover the cost.

.blue

726 posts

179 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
LoonR1 said:
You're TPF&T. There is nothing for your insurer to deal with, as this loss isn't insured.

Get cash off the guy to cover the cost.
Unless he has legal cover

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
.blue said:
Unless he has legal cover
Really and what will they do? They won't pay for his repairs. They will simply pursue the other side for him when he pays for it out of his own pocket.

.blue

726 posts

179 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
LoonR1 said:
Really and what will they do? They won't pay for his repairs. They will simply pursue the other side for him when he pays for it out of his own pocket.
Right so his insurer will pass him onto whichever company the use and they will do all the dealing with the TP who crashed into him and refund him the cost of repairs.

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
id get quotes, get someone to asses it, send the bill to him.

let him decide

if not go through his insurance.

then again you could be in my situation, 7 odd months later It going through the courts suing for £20,000

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
.blue said:
Right so his insurer will pass him onto whichever company the use and they will do all the dealing with the TP who crashed into him and refund him the cost of repairs.
Why will they do that when there is no cover? They might do it to get a referral feebbut he may as well be claiming on his life cover as there's no cover for his own damage under his motor policy. Also what does your new suggestion have to do with the legal cover that you referred to earlier?

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
id get quotes, get someone to asses it, send the bill to him.

let him decide

if not go through his insurance.

then again you could be in my situation, 7 odd months later It going through the courts suing for £20,000
£20k? Really? Expect to lose.

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
LoonR1 said:
moanthebairns said:
id get quotes, get someone to asses it, send the bill to him.

let him decide

if not go through his insurance.

then again you could be in my situation, 7 odd months later It going through the courts suing for £20,000
£20k? Really? Expect to lose.
that's for everything bike, gear, pick up of bike, losses etc

I don't expect anywhere near that figure

.blue

726 posts

179 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
LoonR1 said:
Why will they do that when there is no cover? They might do it to get a referral feebbut he may as well be claiming on his life cover as there's no cover for his own damage under his motor policy. Also what does your new suggestion have to do with the legal cover that you referred to earlier?
I thought you knew this stuff.

OP call's his insurer. They say "haha you're not covered by us"
He says "what about the legal cover I paid £20 for?"
They say: "oh yeah. we will pass on your details to the company that provides the legal cover and claim a nice chunky referral fee in the process"

Small wait.

Legal company: "Hello, your insurers passed your details onto us. We will handle communication with the TP's insurer. In the meantime go and get your bike fixed. We'll see if we can recover the costs from the TP('s insurer)."

Yoda.

2,260 posts

247 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
coffee

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Hmmmm key word is "recover" that suggests someone has to pay first. Who do you think that will be? Hint. It won't be his insurer or the law firm.

black-k1

11,889 posts

228 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
rolleyescoffee

.blue

726 posts

179 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
LoonR1 said:
Hmmmm key word is "recover" that suggests someone has to pay first. Who do you think that will be? Hint. It won't be his insurer or the law firm.
All I'm saying is that his insurer will put him in touch with whoever handles their legal cover (provided OP has this cover) and he does have the option to use them if he wants.

So after all that I think we're basically on the same page. Happy days.