Insurance co's are dumb!

[placidfemme]

As some of you know, last Saturday my partner got hit by a cage at a giveway... partner is fine, bike has $611 worth of damage...

Cager makes a claim with her Insurance co. (State Ins) and tells me that State will pay for repairs... I call up the bike shop 4 days later... they havn't heard from anyone so the bike still sits there waiting to be fixed...

I call up State Ins, and a very friendly lady tells me that State Ins actually owns Swann Ins (My Ins co), and because I have comprehensive/full insurance on both bikes that Swann Ins have to pay for the bike to be fixed (not affecting my no claims). So I call up Swann Ins and tell them they have to fix the bike, and the guy tells me that State Ins has to do it, and if they don't I have to pay my premium (or something). So I call up State and tell them they have to fix it because I wasn't in the wrong and they tell me to sort it out with Swann...

Still don't know who is paying for the damage... waiting for someone from both Co's to call me back...

what a bunch of crap :mad:

[v.ros`]

Keep on calling them and give them Sh*t over the phone.
Same thing happened to my mate and they just dragged the whole process for like 2 weeks. At the end, they told him the bike will be fixed with second hand parts and still it was taking ages. So he told them in an angry voice that if the bike aint in the exact condition as it was in before the accident, they will have to redo the whole thing and 2 hours later, he gets a phone call saying the bike is a write-off...

So i say, just keep on calling them / tell the dude/lady that u want to speak to supervisor.. sure they will come up with something..

[zadok]

How frustrating! I would certainly be wanting to speak to a supervisor and getting them to sort it out. Fancy being effectively the same company and not communicating efficiently between each other.
I would recommend dealing with YOUR insurer as they are your broker. Tell them to get it sorted out and you don't expect to lose your no claims bonus. That's what you are paying them for.

[vifferman]

So i say, just keep on calling them / tell the dude/lady that u want to speak to supervisor.. sure they will come up with something..
That is key - keep escalating things until you get satisfaction.

[MSTRS]

Zadok is right. Deal with Swann & keep hounding them.

[avgas]

yeh keep at them. The last time i had to deal with an insurance company for my bike, they had 'ritten-it-off' and sold it in turners before i even got my check :weird:

[eliot-ness]

Your insurance company should pay for the repairs. That's what you are insured for. Then it's up to them to claim the money from the lady's insurance company. The fact that both companies are effectively the same is meaningless. The only arguement is 'who was at fault' As she has admitted respnsibility she will lose her no claims bonus.
Incidentally, NZI also claim that Swann is part of their group. T'would seem we are all insured by the same company. Only the names have been changed. Good luck and keep pushing them.

------------------------------------
The squeaky wheel gets the most oil.

[crashe]

Only deal with the top person...

The person answering the phone doesnt know sh*t... as they tend to fob you off..... and they dont have your file in front of them... after all they are employed to just answer the phone.

I always and only deal with the Manager/supervisor.... then you get the correct answer.

The woman's insurance company (State insurance) are the one's to deal with.... they should be paying out... get the top person at Swan's to get there butt into gear and talk to State insurance about sorting this all out...

You tell them you need the bike back on the road ASAP as you are going on a trip soon on the bike... (bullsh*t them) but tell them you need it... tell them its your means of transport to and from work... etc etc etc..

[WINJA]

CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY , DEAL WITH ONE PERSON RIGHT DOWN THEIR
NAME AND EXT NUMBER , CALL THEM TWICE A DAY.
IM GOOD AT DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANYS CAUSE IM REAL NICE THEN REAL NASTY WHEN I DONT GET MY WAY

[placidfemme]

Well some dude from my Ins Co just called me... Told me my policy had expired... So I told him I was holding my policy in my hand right NOW and it still has another 4 months left on it... and that he should check his records again... he then told me the bike wasn't in my name... told him to check the records again as it's in both mine and my partners name... he said that was correct (what an IDIOT). So now he is sending me out a claims form... they will pay for the bike to be fixed... and then State Ins will give them the money...

I asked for his supervisors name incase I have any more problems in the future and he said "oh that won't be nessesary (sp)" so I said "great, that in mind then there won't be any harm in giving me thier details then".

So if I need anything else I'll talk to the manager/supervisor from now on...

:( It's gonna take a while to get the bike fixed... say 3 days for the claim form to get to me... 3 days for it to get back to them... and who knows how long until it's processed and the funds given to the bike shop... then proberly another week or longer if they need to order any parts... so all up over 2 weeks before we get the bike back... Sam's gonna be upset... you should have heard her moaning on Saturday about going for a ride :(

[crashe]

Well some dude from my Ins Co just called me... Told me my policy had expired... So I told him I was holding my policy in my hand right NOW and it still has another 4 months left on it... and that he should check his records again... he then told me the bike wasn't in my name... told him to check the records again as it's in both mine and my partners name... he said that was correct (what an IDIOT). So now he is sending me out a claims form... they will pay for the bike to be fixed... and then State Ins will give them the money...

I asked for his supervisors name incase I have any more problems in the future and he said "oh that won't be nessesary (sp)" so I said "great, that in mind then there won't be any harm in giving me thier details then".

So if I need anything else I'll talk to the manager/supervisor from now on...

:( It's gonna take a while to get the bike fixed... say 3 days for the claim form to get to me... 3 days for it to get back to them... and who knows how long until it's processed and the funds given to the bike shop... then proberly another week or longer if they need to order any parts... so all up over 2 weeks before we get the bike back... Sam's gonna be upset... you should have heard her moaning on Saturday about going for a ride :(

Swan Insurance are in the city...
you work in the city... arrange to pick it up in your lunch break and then you drop it back either this arvo or tomorrow...

Dont wait for the snail mail...

[placidfemme]

Swan Insurance are in the city...
you work in the city... arrange to pick it up in your lunch break and then you drop it back either this arvo or tomorrow...

Dont wait for the snail mail...

Thats a good idea... I'll do that :) thanks

[v.ros`]

i reckon expect atleast 3 weeks before you get the bike. It will atleast 2 weeks to get the money thing sorted out and i reckon the repairs will be another one week....

It really sux if you get involved in an accident...even if it aint your fault...

[thehollowmen]

Damn
$700 due to rugby players trashing it and it is the SOCOs who are slow.. Still waiting on a report about those handprints.

Insurance was sorted out, and billed correctly in four hours.

Would have been less if I hadn't gone to burger king for lunch.

Medical assurance society rocks.

[Oakie]

Hopefully it won't take too long. I'm with AMI and all that had to happen was they gave the bike shop a claim reference as an authority to start procedings. I saw AMI on the Monday after the accident and the parts had been ordered from Japan by Tuesday afternoon.

[justsomeguy]

Sorry to hear all this girlie......

Standard practice for the bloody insurance companies - they hate paying out!!!

WINJA (that stupid shit-eating maggot:devil2: ) and lovely Crashe all make great points....

Isn't the support one gets from KB great:yes:

[myvice]

State are a bunch of slimey underhanded wankers and should all be shot!
Thay have been pissing us about for over a YEAR after a prat in a 4wd mistook my wife's Subaru for a car park!
You just dont want to know, but I dont think using bamboo under fingernails is unreasonable when dealing with them.
When you/Sam get the bike back go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Any little thing, call them...
If you treat them with any thing other than total contempt thay will see it as a weekness.
End of rant, Thank you for your time.

[Pixie]

My technique for dealing with corporate morons is as follows:
Don't get angry,abusive or raise your voice to the menial.They are likely to "forget" to process your request.
Give them a maximum of two cock ups,then insist on talking to a superior.Don't accept "that won't be necessary".If they won't get you a superior,hang up, and get the receptionist to put you though to one.Remember,many automated phone systems will connect you to a receptionist if you punch "0",even if it isn't listed as an option.
If you have other policies with the company,tell the you will take all your business elsewhere.I once threatened to arrange for my entire extended family's to be taken from state Insurance.

[placidfemme]

Thanks all. I have now got the claims form... going to full it out and give it back... hopefully there shouldn't be any more problems... If there are I'll throw a tantrum and sulk lol... no really... I have the supervisors name and stuff... along with all the names of the idiots I've spoken to during the whole process... I won't be putting up with any more shit... :)

[Jonty]

Thanks all. I have now got the claims form... going to full it out and give it back... hopefully there shouldn't be any more problems... If there are I'll throw a tantrum and sulk lol... no really... I have the supervisors name and stuff... along with all the names of the idiots I've spoken to during the whole process... I won't be putting up with any more shit... :)

Good work :Punk: Remember also that there is the insurance ombudsman you can contact - as soon as insurance companies hear that word you find things moving along a lot quicker :yes:

[ManDownUnder]

Thanks all. I have now got the claims form... going to full it out and give it back... hopefully there shouldn't be any more problems... If there are I'll throw a tantrum and sulk lol... no really... I have the supervisors name and stuff... along with all the names of the idiots I've spoken to during the whole process... I won't be putting up with any more shit... :)

Good on ya and good luck.

Don't get abusive though... tempting thought IT REALLY IS... just spell out the facts, get a confirmation of how long processing the claim is going to take, and have the bike shop ring you if there are any delays.

Feel free to conference in the Insurance person at that point - have them both chat about it and get you dates for pay out, and completed repair. Ask the bike shop if there is any reason they can't start the repairs while waiting on the insurance company to pay out (I mean... they have the money right?!?)

Good luck PF!
MDU

[ManDownUnder]

State are a bunch of slimey underhanded wankers and should all be shot!
Thay have been pissing us about for over a YEAR after a prat in a 4wd mistook my wife's Subaru for a car park!
You just dont want to know, but I dont think using bamboo under fingernails is unreasonable when dealing with them.
When you/Sam get the bike back go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Any little thing, call them...
If you treat them with any thing other than total contempt thay will see it as a weekness.
End of rant, Thank you for your time.

Try this if you need to
http://www.iombudsman.org.nz/

Write to the Ombudsman and put the CEO of State Insurance on cc so they can see what is going to happen, and why.

There is no reason at all to be mucked around by any service organisation - NONE. I'm not picking on Insurance Companies here, I personally see them as doing a lot of good, like tax. You have to pay it, but there is a good reason you do.

That being said, I'm not a porponent of handing over the money and walking away...

MDU

[Lias]

FWIW, Never had bike insurance (too pricey) with them but for contents insurance NZI are actually freaking fantastic to deal with on claims.

When I binned I claimed my jacket/helmet/etc on insurance. Rang NZI up, talked to the lady, we agreed on a value for the items with depreciation and stuff, cheque arrived 2 days later.

A few years ago we went away for a week or two for xmas, and my missus decided to turn the stove off at the wall before we left.. Only problem was the chest freezer was plugged into the socket on the side of the stove wasnt it.. VERY smelly soggy mess when got back.. Talked to insurance co, made a list of what was in the fridge, went to supermarket and priced everything, faxed to insurance company, cheque arrived a few days later.

Nothing but good things to say about NZI.

State and Protecta however can both suck my nuts :-P

[placidfemme]

Try this if you need to
http://www.iombudsman.org.nz/

Write to the Ombudsman and put the CEO of State Insurance on cc so they can see what is going to happen, and why.

There is no reason at all to be mucked around by any service organisation - NONE. I'm not picking on Insurance Companies here, I personally see them as doing a lot of good, like tax. You have to pay it, but there is a good reason you do.

That being said, I'm not a porponent of handing over the money and walking away...

MDU

thank you, I've saved that to my favourites and I'll use it if I have any more issues with these people...

I see the good in having insurance (I wouldn't want to be forking out $611 right now), but they should be a lot more "customer" focused, and the different insurance co's should be a lot more willing to sort things out between each other instead of having the client (us) call back and forth... exspecially if they are owned by the same mother company (like State and Swann Ins :nono: )

But for now it looks like smooth sailing :)

[ManDownUnder]

thank you, I've saved that to my favourites and I'll use it if I have any more issues with these people...

I see the good in having insurance (I wouldn't want to be forking out $611 right now), but they should be a lot more "customer" focused, and the different insurance co's should be a lot more willing to sort things out between each other instead of having the client (us) call back and forth... exspecially if they are owned by the same mother company (like State and Swann Ins :nono: )

But for now it looks like smooth sailing :)

The funny/strange part is that they're all very aware that insurance is mainly bought on price in NZ, and they're falling over themselves to put practices in place to STREAMLINE customer service etc.

Failures and glitches like this fly in the face of those policies, but of course the people causing the problems are not those making the rules.

Sometimes the rule makers need to be included in those conversations (just to get their feet back on the ground - even if only for a few minutes)

MDU

[surfchick]

Well some dude from my Ins Co just called me... Told me my policy had expired... :( It's gonna take a while to get the bike fixed... say 3 days for the claim form to get to me... 3 days for it to get back to them... and who knows how long until it's processed and the funds given to the bike shop... then proberly another week or longer if they need to order any parts... so all up over 2 weeks before we get the bike back... Sam's gonna be upset... you should have heard her moaning on Saturday about going for a ride :(

ARRRRGGGHHHHHH and ARRRGHHHHHHH aRRRAGHHHHH i think insurance companies are asleep most of the time. my car got stolen out of the driveway. went missing for months. i got paid out. then got a call from the police who had found the car. i rang state they said they'd collect it as it was technically theirs. for weeks after the police were calling me saying the car is still there...AARAGHRGGGG me soooo maaaaad. now my no claims is so high i can't insure the car but 3rd party. not that it matters. that truck has had more hits than elvis.

[unhingedlizard]

My missus is a claims officer with a insurance company and this is what she reckons:

Swann Ins will repair your bike in the first instance. That is what you pay your premiums for. Depending on their claims process you may have to pay your excess ... Swann should then recover all the repair costs (including your excess) from State and will refund your excess to you. If State admit liability to Swann straight away Swann may be able to waive your excess. Keep phoning Swann as they need to get the damage assessed and repairs underway.

If you keep having problems look round for a good insurance broker as they will deal with claims for you and you only have to deal with the broker who is working for you.

[placidfemme]

My missus is a claims officer with a insurance company and this is what she reckons:

Swann Ins will repair your bike in the first instance. That is what you pay your premiums for. Depending on their claims process you may have to pay your excess ... Swann should then recover all the repair costs (including your excess) from State and will refund your excess to you. If State admit liability to Swann straight away Swann may be able to waive your excess. Keep phoning Swann as they need to get the damage assessed and repairs underway.

If you keep having problems look round for a good insurance broker as they will deal with claims for you and you only have to deal with the broker who is working for you.

I will be seriously pissed off :mad: :mad: :mad: if they make me pay my excess... if they make me pay the excess (thats if I had the money to) then I might as well pay for the repairs myself as the repairs are only $100 more than my excess...

[unhingedlizard]

depends on your policy. Check the contract.

[ManDownUnder]

I will be seriously pissed off :mad: :mad: :mad: if they make me pay my excess... if they make me pay the excess (thats if I had the money to) then I might as well pay for the repairs myself as the repairs are only $100 more than my excess...

Quick calculation time...

If you will only get a payout of $100, find out how much you lose in your no claims bonus (get them to tell you how much per year, as well as the total amount until the point where your no claims bonus level gets back to where it was...)

It sounds like it MIGHT be cheaper to just pay for it...?!?

I haven't gone back over the thread in detail, but I'm fundamentally curious about why the person that hit Sam isn't paying all this stuff...!?? You shouldn't be losing ANYTHING!

Also - Look up the policy, and remind the insurance co if they provide cash for a loan vehicles while Sam is unable to use her bike. She might get a cage to use in the meantime...

MDU

[placidfemme]

Quick calculation time...

If you will only get a payout of $100, find out how much you lose in your no claims bonus (get them to tell you how much per year, as well as the total amount until the point where your no claims bonus level gets back to where it was...)

It sounds like it MIGHT be cheaper to just pay for it...?!?

I haven't gone back over the thread in detail, but I'm fundamentally curious about why the person that hit Sam isn't paying all this stuff...!?? You shouldn't be losing ANYTHING!

Also - Look up the policy, and remind the insurance co if they provide cash for a loan vehicles while Sam is unable to use her bike. She might get a cage to use in the meantime...

MDU

lol you havn't seen Sam drive... she'd be in more danger in a cage then riding a bike with no gear and blindfolded

*has been in a cage when she drives and nearly shat myself :( and we havn't even got out the yard yet*

I'll read through my policy tonight (it's at home) and see what it says about it.

In a nut shell:

The lady who hit Sam was going to pay by credit card, then freaked when she saw the amount ($611) and then went to her insurance... who said that my insurance had to pay because I have full cover and that they (her insurance) would re-fund my Insurance co. And unhingedlizard reckons that my insurance co might ask me to pay the excess and then at a later date they will refund me... :no: Unfortunatly, if thats the case I won't be able to get the bike fixed for a while... unless we take it out the "new bike" fund for Sam, which will set her back about 2 months... arrggg...

*doesn't want to live with bitching and moaning for 2 months*

[MSTRS]

I would be very surprised if you had to cough up the excess (in advance or otherwise) or if you lost your no-claims bonus. You are going thru your insurer, but the claim is effectively on the other parties' insurance so is not your financial problem.

[Lou Girardin]

There's some confusing advice in here.
As I understand it Swann are your insurers. If you haven't made a claim, do so.
They then recover your excess from her insurer, you should not have to pay it first, particularly in view of the fact that they are the same company. You do not have to deal with State personally.
Do you have witnesses to her admission of guilt? Although the facts do speak for themselves.
Keep the pressure on and get names of everyone you deal with, make diary notes too.
I have never had to pay an excess first in a claim that wasn't my fault.

[Suney]

State insurance sucks. Fullstop. All my ,friends and parent who were with them had trouble dealing with them,
They are good when it comes to receiving money but good luck trying to get a dime off them!
My friend just had his family's policy canceled with state (which inlcuded, house, cars, contents..etc) because they suck so much.
He had his car , mags, stereo stolen. Paid his $1000 excess and all he got back was a car on steelies $100 when he paid $2000 for his mag wheels.

[Mr Skid]

State insurance sucks. Fullstop. All my ,friends and parent who were with them had trouble dealing with them,
They are good when it comes to receiving money but good luck trying to get a dime off them!
My friend just had his family's policy canceled with state (which inlcuded, house, cars, contents..etc) because they suck so much.
He had his car , mags, stereo stolen. Paid his $1000 excess and all he got back was a car on steelies $100 when he paid $2000 for his mag wheels.Did he have his mags specified on the insurance?
Most insurers ask you to specify if you've got audio equipment or wheels worth over a certain amount.

[placidfemme]

There's some confusing advice in here.
As I understand it Swann are your insurers. If you haven't made a claim, do so.
They then recover your excess from her insurer, you should not have to pay it first, particularly in view of the fact that they are the same company. You do not have to deal with State personally.
Do you have witnesses to her admission of guilt? Although the facts do speak for themselves.
Keep the pressure on and get names of everyone you deal with, make diary notes too.
I have never had to pay an excess first in a claim that wasn't my fault.

Yep I have filled out a claims form and given it back... I should hopefully hear back from them by the end of the week...

On the claims form they asked: "Please detail Driver/Riders movements 8 hours before the accident" lol I thought about saying to Sam "So how many times did you go to the toilet?" hehe

those claims forms are dumb, they ask the same question about 6 times...

Yes we do have witnesses who heard the lady admit fault was her own. They were our friends who went to help Sam as I had just got home and knew that if I tried to rush back into town in the shitty weather that day I'd proberly have come off myself... they (our friends) helped Sam at the scene and spoke with the lady and she even admitted to them the fault was hers...

[MSTRS]

Did he have his mags specified on the insurance?
Most insurers ask you to specify if you've got audio equipment or wheels worth over a certain amount.
This is correct. Policies normally are adjusted individually to cover non-standard items. BTW why is there so much bagging of State? I've had various types of cover from them for over 30 years - in that time I have made 6 claims (IIRC) and there was never any problem & was paid out promptly each time.

[unhingedlizard]

kinda off topic but is your partner alright? No injuries or such?

[placidfemme]

kinda off topic but is your partner alright? No injuries or such?

Yep Sam's ok. She hurt her ankle when the bike went down (not sure how... maybe she twisted it or it was under the bike when it fell... not sure...) she had a nice bruise up her ankle and a nice limp for about 5 days. Went to the doctor and they said she had a sprain and to just rest her ankle for a few days... but she is all good now :)

Thanks for asking :)

[FlyingDutchMan]

This is correct. Policies normally are adjusted individually to cover non-standard items. BTW why is there so much bagging of State? I've had various types of cover from them for over 30 years - in that time I have made 6 claims (IIRC) and there was never any problem & was paid out promptly each time.

Why so much bagging of state? I've heard a lot of stories like this about state, you've been the first person I know who's said something nice about them. I'm with AMI, and they've been awesome so far ($1600 cheque three days after my bike got backed into, so I could fix it myself).

[Lou Girardin]

Yep I have filled out a claims form and given it back... I should hopefully hear back from them by the end of the week...

On the claims form they asked: "Please detail Driver/Riders movements 8 hours before the accident" lol I thought about saying to Sam "So how many times did you go to the toilet?" hehe

those claims forms are dumb, they ask the same question about 6 times...

Yes we do have witnesses who heard the lady admit fault was her own. They were our friends who went to help Sam as I had just got home and knew that if I tried to rush back into town in the shitty weather that day I'd proberly have come off myself... they (our friends) helped Sam at the scene and spoke with the lady and she even admitted to them the fault was hers...

Sounds good, you have right on your side, just hang in there. Nil Bastardus Carborandum!

[WRT]

I am insured with State and recently wrote off my TLR. Had it insured for 12k, they offered me 8.5 (less my excess of 1500). I didnt loose my cool, just stated that I disputed their valuation, and asked how I could get my own valuation done. I suspected that things would wind up at the omsbudmans, but after I had my valuation done by Colemans, State sent their own guy out (the first guy apparently didnt even look at the wreck), and also backed that up with photos of the bike prior to the accident. His pre-accident valuation came in at 11.5k, which I accepted. Money in the bank about 2 working days later.

In my experience, State themselves were great, however . . . IAG (the underwriters) were very very reluctant to pay out. I think they offered me 8.5k to begin with just on the off chance that I would need the money and have to accept. As I didnt, and was prepared to argue the point I wound up with 10k in the hand as opposed to 7k - BIG difference. The whole incident from crash to cash took around 5 weeks, mostly due to their "rapid response team", which they claim take 48 hours to get back to you. In my experience, its more like 3-4 days, more if it falls over a weekend . . .

[vifferman]

I'm insured with State too - 3 cars, the bike, house, contents. The only beef I have is that the excess on the VFR is... well... excessive. $1500 whether it's crashed, vandalised, stolen, drowns, gets sucked up by a tornado or catches fire, just because it's so HUGE (over 600cc or summat...)
That's just dumb, as the risk of it getting stolen is very low - it lives most of the time in a locked gargre: the one at work has security gates, and the one at home has an alarm. Also I suspect that the "over 600cc" thing is a result of all the HDs that have been flogged, and all the Suzukis that have been crashed...:whistle:

I've had three bike claims through State (all on other people's policies), and all of them were handled OK. Also had no problems with a burglary claim, nor with the one car claim.

[placidfemme]

Well just a quick update as to how slow these damn insurance co's are.

They got the claim form back from me last week (Wednesday I think... maybe sooner) and I called them up everyday since I posted it to hassle them (as they say the squeaky wheel gets the oil). And every day they said "We havn't recieved it yet". I called them up on Thursday and they said "We havn't recieved it". Got home Thursday night... in the post was a letter from them thanking us for the claim and giving us our claim number...

Called them up on Friday, the guy who I've been dealing with since the very first phone call says "We still havn't recieved it" and I said "Then why did you post me a letter saying you had and given me my claim number?". He rushes off and comes back 5 minutes later and advised me that they have recieved it (Duh! :weird: ). So I ask how long until the bike is fixed, I tell him that by them taking so long they already set me back over $100 in damn busfare and about $150+ in lost hours from work due to late busses, and this is unacceptable, and that if my bike is not sorted in a week then I'm changing Insurance co's.

He then tells me thier guy who checks the damage and aprroves the amount for repairs can only see the bike next week "sometime". I said that was unacdeptable. I want an EXACT date and an EXACT time. He mumbles something about being busy... and then promises it will be checked out by Wednesday at the latest.

Then who knows how long the repairs will take once the money has been paid...

ARRGGGG.... :mad:

It's coming on 3 weeks now (or is it 4?) This is just stupid... If I had known it was going to take this damn long I would have proberly paid for it myself, would have taken less than 4 weeks to save the $611 to get it fixed...

[Pixie]

Well just a quick update as to how slow these damn insurance co's are.
...
It'll get better when the robots take over.

[Ixion]

It'll get better when the robots take over.
Ah , yes, indeed. Because then all vehicles will be totally computer controlled, and we all know that computers are infallible and never make mistakes.

[placidfemme]

Ah , yes, indeed. Because then all vehicles will be totally computer controlled, and we all know that computers are infallible and never make mistakes.

lol as long as they don't take over my job.... :)

[placidfemme]

25th June - Accident

Well 4 and half weeks since the day of the accident and the insurance company has FINALLY sent out an assessor to check out the bike. The repairs have been approved by the assessor and now the bike shop is waiting for approval via the insurance co.

Once the bike shop has the final approval they can start to order parts and repair the bike...

So bike shop estimated time frame... 2-3 weeks due to ordering parts.

That means the bike will be off the road for 7 fucking weeks. It really pisses me off that we've had to wait this long.

Estimated money loss over 7 week period is $727 due to busfare and lost hours due to bus timetables and busses being late.

Thats more than the fucking repairs.

*is really angry* :mad: :mad: :mad:

[ManDownUnder]

Estimated money loss over 7 week period is $727 due to busfare and lost hours due to bus timetables and busses being late.

Thats more than the fucking repairs.

*is really angry* :mad: :mad: :mad:

That's nuts - is that amount extractable from the insurance co?Alternate transport arrangements due to los of use of vehicle or similar... SHOULD be in there - would be nice!

MDU

[placidfemme]

No I don't think so :(

It's actually more than $727, as Sam has to catch 2 different busses to get to work... I've only included the first bus, as I don't know what the second bus costs her, and the earliest bus she can catch still makes her anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour late for work everyday... because if it doesn't arrive in town in time she misses her next bus to work and has to wait anywhere up to 25 minutes for it...

What sucks as well is that her Rego is due in 2 weeks (and mine next week) and we have to pay for it and the bike isn't even on the road...

[eliot-ness]

You should be able to claim all expenses incurred through the insurance. Just let them know, complete with a detailed list. Comprehensive means just that. All losses are covered.

[placidfemme]

You should be able to claim all expenses incurred through the insurance. Just let them know, complete with a detailed list. Comprehensive means just that. All losses are covered.

I'll phone them and find out... would help a lot if they did pay us out for funds lost... I'll let you know what they say

[crashe]

Hope you have kept all the bus ticket receipts.....
if they do pay you back in the claim.

and hey what is 7 weeks off the bike... i was off mine for 8 weeks. :rofl:

[placidfemme]

Hope you have kept all the bus ticket receipts.....
if they do pay you back in the claim.

and hey what is 7 weeks off the bike... i was off mine for 8 weeks. :rofl:

lol that would be 108 bus tickets so far... and another 84 by the time Sam gets the bike back.

*still on hold for an operator* :mad:

8 weeks huh? That must have sucked, but at least you can ride again :)

*still on hold 8 minutes and 33 seconds later* :mad:

[crashe]

*still on hold for an operator* :mad:

*still on hold 8 minutes and 33 seconds later* :mad:

Placidfemme must still be holding.... (the phone)
cos she aint come back yet....
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ManDownUnder]

I'll phone them and find out... would help a lot if they did pay us out for funds lost... I'll let you know what they say

Good luck!
NK

[gamgee]

just threaten to change your insurance company if you don't get your way, always works for me hehe

[placidfemme]

ok... spent 23 minutes on hold with the first number I called (claims 0800 807-926) they finally answered my call... put me through to "John" he said I came through to the wrong number... and put me hold... for another 9 minutes... a guy named "Mark" answers the call... doesn't know the answer tells me to call a different number (0800 500-216). Spent 15 minutes on hold there... a lady with a weird accent takes my call... refers me back to the first number, I tell her they refered me to her.. so she gives me another number (3730506) call them... on hold for another 5 minutes and they say they only deal with setting us new clients... gave me 0800 500-216 talk to 4 different people, get put on hold AGAIN for another 9 minutes... finally told to call 969-6076 speak to some random, who says that they won't reimburse me my lost funds during the insurance delay... and advises me to call State Ins and see if they will reimburse me... call up State, get put through to 3 different people, finally get told no again, but they will double check and call me back tomorrow :mad:

what a bunch of usless assholes :mad:

[_Gina_]

It really ripped my nightie when the at fault vehicle owner refused to fill in the claim form (after merging the front of his B train into my cages' RHR quarter)


I had to pay the bloody excess, even though I wasn't at fault, and wasn't reimbursed until I forced the issue so much that they sent the claim to collections early (they normally wait about 3 months) I diarised to call the claims handler at 10.15am each day and ask for updates....


So I sympathise PF. Insurance companies and the often moronic individuals they employ SUCK.

:brick:

[gamgee]

PF NEVER take no for an answer, tell them if they won't reimburse you for the amount of time they have stuffed you around (at least partially) your going to take all your insurance elsewhere and that you intend on warning people off both state and the other one (can't remember name sorry) 4 weeks to send out an assessor is just rediculous, they need to wake up and realise that isn't good enough so just give them shit until they finally get sick of you and decide it would be easier just to pay you the money :clap:

[placidfemme]

PF NEVER take no for an answer, tell them if they won't reimburse you for the amount of time they have stuffed you around (at least partially) your going to take all your insurance elsewhere and that you intend on warning people off both state and the other one (can't remember name sorry) 4 weeks to send out an assessor is just rediculous, they need to wake up and realise that isn't good enough so just give them shit until they finally get sick of you and decide it would be easier just to pay you the money :clap:

Thanks :) Yeah I'm going to call State tomorrow and get a final answer from them. Then I'll see what my options are.

Because of all this hassle I am going to do some research into different Ins Co's and change my insurance the next time it's due (in a few months). Swann Ins has no idea what they are doing... And State doesn't seem that much better

[gamgee]

i think i'm up to about 50% no claims discount i'm only doing third party at the moment and my next bill (for a full year) should be about $20 thats with a $200 excess not bad aye? although i might up it to full cover when i get a newer more expensive bike, which hopefully won't be to far away, all going to plan, i should be selling the sr250 on Sunday which is going to probably leave me bikeless for a few weeks :no: but with enough cash to buy a nice bike when one shows up on trademe

[placidfemme]

i think i'm up to about 50% no claims discount i'm only doing third party at the moment and my next bill (for a full year) should be about $20 thats with a $200 excess not bad aye? although i might up it to full cover when i get a newer more expensive bike, which hopefully won't be to far away, all going to plan, i should be selling the sr250 on Sunday which is going to probably leave me bikeless for a few weeks :no: but with enough cash to buy a nice bike when one shows up on trademe

Which insurance co are you with?

And you'll need to buy a blue bike to go with your blue helmet :) hehe

[Clockwork]

I can't help wondering if we are not playing into their game by even dealing with them (insurance companies, that is).

As I see it, the driver who hit your partner is FULLY liable for ALL losses your partner has incurred as a result of this accident. Prosecute the driver for these losses through the small claims courts and let her deal with her insurance company (am I correct in believing that its her insurance company that's messing you around?).

[gamgee]

i'm with ami, and probably either getting a yamaha cb400 1985ish (the one with 4 exhausts) or a yamaha xz550 1985ish as well, a friend of my dads is selling them both super cheap i just have to go around and take a look at them

[placidfemme]

I can't help wondering if we are not playing into their game by even dealing with them (insurance companies, that is).

As I see it, the driver who hit your partner is FULLY liable for ALL losses your partner has incurred as a result of this accident. Prosecute the driver for these losses through the small claims courts and let her deal with her insurance company (am I correct in believing that its her insurance company that's messing you around?).

It's both her and my Ins Co's that are screwing me around... I'm with Swann, she's with State, and it's just a game of "pass the buck". Bunch of twats.

*still has another 2-3 weeks until the bike comes back :(*

Sams going insane... we were watching the weather last night and the weather is looking decent enough to get some riding in... and she was bitching and moaning about how unfair that is lol

[Clockwork]

If it were me I'd seriously look into fixing the bike myself and recovering ALL costs from the driver through the small claims process. To my mind this is what you are paying your insurance company to do (......and they are not delivering). Meanwhile the other driver should have the aggravation of dealing with her insurance company or meeting your claim out of her own pocket!

[geoffm]

A fgriend of mine is up to at least 5 weeks waiting for State to send out an assessor. All his insurance (several houses, cars, etc) is going elsewhere as soon as it is sorted.
OTOH, AMI had the assessor out in 24 hours after my recent fender bender...
I have NEVER heard anyone say a good word about dealing with State when it comes to claims, and it is not a recent thing either. They have been like this for years.
Geoff

[raster]

Are bikes different than cars, I have done 3 claims, none my fault. Filled out claim form, booked car into panelbeaters and organised alternative transport, I think I have it in my policy but the panelbeaters usually have courtacy(sp) cars, don't bike repairers have these.
I always work through my own Ins. company only, let them deal with other parties ins. Co.
Only had to pay my exess once to get my car back quickly as the other party was not insured, got a check in the mail 3 weeks later.
If there are ins. Co.s involved and no argument with liablility then you shouldn't have to pay anything and rapairs should commence immediately.
Seems to be an exessive rapair time to spend $600 on the bike are the parts coming from timbuktoo.
I have had bad dealings with state also, NZI were the best, when I heard they had been taken over by state I immediately changed.
Don't know what there like now. Panelbeaters reakon their OK.

[placidfemme]

Well the whole insurance thing is out the way, we won't be getting re-imbursed for the funds we've lost during the whole process (Busfare and lost hours at work).

But the repairs have been approved and the parts required have been ordered last week. The mechanic said it should be about another week or so until the parts arrive, then the bike will be ready :)

Sam's still a little misrable (sp) without her bike, but coping fine :)

Thanks for all ther advice everyone :grouphug:

[Sniper]

Good luck PF, I would seriously consider talking to the Ombudsman when it comes to travel and lost hours

Stu

[placidfemme]

Yay! Just heard back from the bike shop today.

Sam's bike is ready to be picked up!!!

she is going to be so happy...

Just need to pay for her Rego now then she's road legal again :)

thanks to everyone for all the advice and support :grouphug:

KB rocks!

[ManDownUnder]

Yay! Just heard back from the bike shop today.

Sam's bike is ready to be picked up!!!

she is going to be so happy...

Just need to pay for her Rego now then she's road legal again :)

thanks to everyone for all the advice and support :grouphug:

KB rocks!

cool... welcome back to the road Sam!

[crashe]

Cool thats good news for Sam....
So is she gonna bus there to pick it up.... or what?

[raster]

Great to hear sam.

[placidfemme]

Thanks all :)

Yeah I'll be riding in tomorrow with all her gear (got to love pack racks), then I'll shoot down to RB and pay for the service and WOF and leave her gear there... then after work she'll bus to RB and pick her bike up... then come to my work and wait for me to finish... then we'll head out together to the Spanner night...

[Sniper]

Welcome back Sam