Claiming for other damaged items following a rear end
Discussion
After nearly a quarter of a century of driving and riding I am having to make my first ever insurance claim.
I was rear ended whilst waiting at a keep clear, the inattentive driver behind, not looking ahead but noticing in his peripheral vision that the cars further up the road were moving, drove into the back of me. At the time I had a towbar mounted bike carrier on, complete with mountain bike. The damage to my car was caused by the bike and carrier being pushed into my tailgate.
I’ve reported it to my insurance, but the chap on the phone seemed to be explaining that they will cover the damage to my car as that is what I’ve insured with them, but the damage to the bike and carrier is something I’ll have pursue separately. I asked him to elaborate a little, as as I’ve mentioned above, I have no prior experience in these matters, but he was very vague in his answer and just wanted to move on with filling out the form on his computer screen.
Has anyone had experience of claiming for other damaged items from the other party’s insurance, and if so, what exactly is the process?
Many thanks
I was rear ended whilst waiting at a keep clear, the inattentive driver behind, not looking ahead but noticing in his peripheral vision that the cars further up the road were moving, drove into the back of me. At the time I had a towbar mounted bike carrier on, complete with mountain bike. The damage to my car was caused by the bike and carrier being pushed into my tailgate.
I’ve reported it to my insurance, but the chap on the phone seemed to be explaining that they will cover the damage to my car as that is what I’ve insured with them, but the damage to the bike and carrier is something I’ll have pursue separately. I asked him to elaborate a little, as as I’ve mentioned above, I have no prior experience in these matters, but he was very vague in his answer and just wanted to move on with filling out the form on his computer screen.
Has anyone had experience of claiming for other damaged items from the other party’s insurance, and if so, what exactly is the process?
Many thanks
Unless you've paid for goods in transit insurance (which is basically a type of policy aimed at couriers etc), your own car insurance policy will cover the car, but not not its contents, or things being carried on the car like bikes and the carrier.
If the bikes are covered in your home insurance policy, or a separate cycle insurance policy, then one option would be to claim on that. If the accident had been your fault (or a hit and run etc) then that would be the only way of getting them paid for.
As there's an at fault driver in this case you could also claim directly from him (or in practice from his insurer) and if you have his insurance details the first step would be to phone their third party claims line and see what they say. How quick they'll be to pay out depends on a number of things, including whether he's already called them up to admit that it's his fault or whether they're still waiting to hear his side of the story etc.
Do be aware that if you claim from the third party they will only be liable for the indemnity (ie second-hand) value of the bikes. Whereas if they're covered on your home insurance policy that will probably be new for old cover - so if you like the idea of some shiny new bikes that's an argument for going down the home insurance route.
If the bikes are covered in your home insurance policy, or a separate cycle insurance policy, then one option would be to claim on that. If the accident had been your fault (or a hit and run etc) then that would be the only way of getting them paid for.
As there's an at fault driver in this case you could also claim directly from him (or in practice from his insurer) and if you have his insurance details the first step would be to phone their third party claims line and see what they say. How quick they'll be to pay out depends on a number of things, including whether he's already called them up to admit that it's his fault or whether they're still waiting to hear his side of the story etc.
Do be aware that if you claim from the third party they will only be liable for the indemnity (ie second-hand) value of the bikes. Whereas if they're covered on your home insurance policy that will probably be new for old cover - so if you like the idea of some shiny new bikes that's an argument for going down the home insurance route.
Aretnap said:
...your own car insurance policy will cover the car, but not not its contents....
Not always completely accurate. When I had a (fault) accident, I thought I'd lost a pair of sunglasses. I can't remember what question my insurers asked, but it caused me to mention that to them and they told me I could claim for them up to £250.
I found them after all so didn't bother, but my insurers seemed willing to pay for more than just the car.
It'll depend on the wording on your policy.
My brother had a car stolen, 2 under one year old recaro baby seats, some expensive prescription glasses and a few other bit and pieces - they paid out on those as a separate payment to the car total loss. He did have to prove that the seats and so on were reasonably new.
But, a chap I work with had someone hit the back of him and it damaged a computer and monitor in the boot. They didn't pay out on that.
And, someone has mentioned the bike carrier being listed as a mod - there have been a couple of topics on here about that very subject, I can't recall the outcomes. Will try and find the links.
My brother had a car stolen, 2 under one year old recaro baby seats, some expensive prescription glasses and a few other bit and pieces - they paid out on those as a separate payment to the car total loss. He did have to prove that the seats and so on were reasonably new.
But, a chap I work with had someone hit the back of him and it damaged a computer and monitor in the boot. They didn't pay out on that.
And, someone has mentioned the bike carrier being listed as a mod - there have been a couple of topics on here about that very subject, I can't recall the outcomes. Will try and find the links.
bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Most insurers class them as modifications - same with a roof box for example. As a rule of thumb with regard to modifications - did it leave the factory in that condition? If the answer is no, then declare it.
ADJimbo said:
bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Most insurers class them as modifications - same with a roof box for example. As a rule of thumb with regard to modifications - did it leave the factory in that condition? If the answer is no, then declare it.
So the insurance company may have a point regarding declaring it.
Aretnap said:
Unless you've paid for goods in transit insurance (which is basically a type of policy aimed at couriers etc), your own car insurance policy will cover the car, but not not its contents, or things being carried on the car like bikes and the carrier.
Sorry not entirely accurate. SWMBO was driving my car which was rear ended by a PL registered WVM and insurance asked for a complete list and paid out for everthing lost. That included a rare Bowie CD permantly stuck in the player!bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Same as a removable bike tow bar can be classed as a mod.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Could you claim under your home insurance for personal items outside the home? It would depend on your level of cover, but of course would mean another claim.
House insurance doesn't really have NCD, but my claim for a £1k summer house ruined in a storm made very little difference when I declared it the year after.
House insurance doesn't really have NCD, but my claim for a £1k summer house ruined in a storm made very little difference when I declared it the year after.
GasEngineer said:
ADJimbo said:
bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Most insurers class them as modifications - same with a roof box for example. As a rule of thumb with regard to modifications - did it leave the factory in that condition? If the answer is no, then declare it.
So the insurance company may have a point regarding declaring it.
OP, I would be very careful, if I were you.
Either suck it up or claim on your home policy where your bikes will be insured (assuming you did so) obviously.
davek_964 said:
Aretnap said:
...your own car insurance policy will cover the car, but not not its contents....
Not always completely accurate. When I had a (fault) accident, I thought I'd lost a pair of sunglasses. I can't remember what question my insurers asked, but it caused me to mention that to them and they told me I could claim for them up to £250.
I found them after all so didn't bother, but my insurers seemed willing to pay for more than just the car.
Sheepshanks said:
If you've got legal expenses cover on your car policy then that should help you recover uninsured losses, including your excess, if your insurer makes you pay one (some will waive it).
Sheepshanks advice is spot on, we're going through something similar at the moment and this is exactly what's happening.vaderface said:
bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Same as a removable bike tow bar can be classed as a mod.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here’s the AI answer:-
Edited by bad company on Wednesday 17th December 18:24
bad company said:
vaderface said:
bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Same as a removable bike tow bar can be classed as a mod.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here s the AI answer:-
Edited by bad company on Wednesday 17th December 18:24
Heck if you talk to 2 different call handlers from the same company it’s not unknown to get 2 different answers.
I just skimmed the story but if there’s any disagreement about whether the rack affects your claim or not then why aren’t you claiming directly from the third party?
ADJimbo said:
bad company said:
Why would a clip on bike rack be a modification? It s not part of the car.
Most insurers class them as modifications - same with a roof box for example. As a rule of thumb with regard to modifications - did it leave the factory in that condition? If the answer is no, then declare it.
They may or may not be covered (depending on the wording of the policy), but using them makes no difference to the vehicle insurance.
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