Insurance Company Hassles

[Mil370]

Hi PSBers,
I have a question about an insurance problem I am having. My motorbike was damaged when a neighbour drove through my garage door. The problem: during the accident, the front wheel struck the end wall of my garage, the impact bent the fork stop and forced the handle bars into the fuel tank, making a big dent. The neighbour and I inspected the bike after the accident and found the bent stop and witnessed the handle bars touching the tank and the front wheel turned drastically to the left. The bike was taken to the manufacturers dealership for a quote. Somewhere between the bike being delivered and the assessor inspecting the bike the front wheels ended up straight and the stop now preventing the handle bars from touching the tank. Consequently the assessor has not authorised the replacement of the fuel tank. Photo's, statements and the like have been presented to the insurance company, however they still refuse to replace the tank. I am currently going through their dispute process and will go to the ombudsman if necessary.

Does anyone have any ideas on ways around this. I would just like the bike back, it's not a real flash one, but I like it. A friend mentioned something about taking a cash payout and repairing the bike myself. Has anyone have any experience or knowledge of this procedure.

Sorry this has been a bit long winded, just trying to present as many facts as possible.

Would appreciate any help.

Cheers,

David

[padfoot]

Sucks to hear mate...

Did you take photos?

If you did, send them in

[Mil370]

Padfoot, I have a few and have sent them in, the one I don't have is of the bars against the tank. Wish I'd taken one (20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing).

[D'Artagnan]

Get a stat dec from the neighbour. That should do, but be careful, because admitting guilt may void his claim.

[jules_1972]

Download a form from Consumer Affairs.
Fill in the details, post it off.

[evo9ace]

just argue the point, push the assessor hard until he cracks. it will help if you obtain stat dec from the neighbor that it was like that and speak to the towie/repair to try to get one of them to admit to straightening it up for transport. i doubt it would affect you neighbors claim with her insurer as fault has already been admited. once you have pushed the assessor into accepting the cost of the tank ask for a copy of the entire quote and get a 2nd higher quote elsewhere on the premise that you are not confident with the repairer they have chosen. after that they will argue that they only are liable for the lowest cost and you can ask for a cash settlement. by then they will be sick of you (if you have done the rest properly) and will just wanna get rid of you so will pay the money. you then bank the money do the repairs yourself and $profit

[Mil370]

Thanks everyone for your help, will keep on pushing.