Insurance - claiming for riding gear.

[Winter]

Most of you know about my off.

The Ambo's cut off my pants, tee, jacket, and bag.

I suffered a massive blow to the head, so my helmet has to be turfed.

All up about $1200 to replace it all.

Donna from kiwibike has so far been execllent in dealing with the claim for my bike, but, alas my gear isn't on that policy.

My house and contents provider tells me it will cost me $450 for the excess and loss of no claims.

Considering I don't think I have receipts for this stuff it's going to be a big, expensive pain in the ass.

What can I do?


Crash wasn't my fault - should I ring the lady who hit me and ask her for $1200?

[Mole_C]

probably be just as hard to get it off her but wont cost as much. Give it a go

[vifferman]

Yeah, it's a tuff one. It's a pity that the motorcycle insurance policies don't include gear. I for one would be prepared to pay a bit more for that.

I've been pretty 'fortunate' in that in my various incidents, the only item to suffer damage each time was my jacket, and because the other party was at fault, repair of the jacket (or replacement, in the event it wasn't repairable) was added to the other party's costs.

Interestingly (or perhaps not), in all the times I've crashed (11? 12?), including hitting three cars, a bicycle and a pedestrian (but not all at the same time), I've only ever twice hit my helmet. The first time, the bike was almost at a standstill, and as I fell off it, my head briefly hit the road. The point of impact was right where the visor opening was, where there's not a lot of padding, and I was alarmed that I ended up with mild concussion for three days or so. There were no marks on the helmet (just on my brain).

The second time, I did a faceplant onto the footpath, and the top of my visor and the brow vent scraped gently on the concrete (rather than impacting it). The helmet itself was unmarked.

[dogsnbikes]

.

My house and contents provider tells me it will cost me $450 for the excess and loss of no claims.


that seems rather high for excess, All my riding gear is covered through my house and contents insurance and my excess is only $100......

I would be talking to the other party involved and once its sorted regardless take a good look at your home and contents policy and insurance provider

remember there is always the dispute tribunal if you have to go there to get your gear sorted

goodluck

[xwhatsit]

It makes sense, doesn't it, that if somebody hits you (whether you're on a motorcycle or in a car) that they should pay for the damage. Certainly they (or their insurance company) pays for damage to the car, but if I was carrying a surfboard on the roof of the car or a few grand worth of computers in the back and that got fecked, I'd expect to be compensated for that. Would I be? Gear is not like clothing -- it's expensive equipment -- so I'd want compensation for that, too.

[EJK]

It makes sense, doesn't it, that if somebody hits you (whether you're on a motorcycle or in a car) that they should pay for the damage. Certainly they (or their insurance company) pays for damage to the car, but if I was carrying a surfboard on the roof of the car or a few grand worth of computers in the back and that got fecked, I'd expect to be compensated for that. Would I be? Gear is not like clothing -- it's expensive equipment -- so I'd want compensation for that, too.

Same thinking here...

They should pay for the damage :yes:

How are you feeing now btw?

[Winter]

that seems rather high for excess, All my riding gear is covered through my house and contents insurance and my excess is only $100......

I would be talking to the other party involved and once its sorted regardless take a good look at your home and contents policy and insurance provider

remember there is always the dispute tribunal if you have to go there to get your gear sorted

goodluck
Excess was $250, the rest is what the loss of my 40% no claims bonus would cost me.


Same thinking here...

They should pay for the damage :yes:

How are you feeing now btw?

Pretty good, just the ribs giving me pain now. I want my arms out of casts!

[imdying]

Crash wasn't my fault - should I ring the lady who hit me and ask her for $1200?Of course you could, and if she refuses, then off to the disputes tribunal you go :)

[The Stranger]

Crash wasn't my fault - should I ring the lady who hit me and ask her for $1200?

Sure you should, why not? Surely, in principal it is no different than replacing or repairing other property of yours i.e. the bike.

[WRT]

If the accident wasn't your fault, then the other party is liable to pay for any damage done, including any "uninsured loss" such as your gear. They will try to palm it off and tell you that you have to claim through your contents insurance, but the reality is that you don't need to. You should be able to just tell your claim officer about the gear and hopefully they will follow up with the other insurance co on your behalf, however not all insurance companies will do this for you.

At any rate, you will probably lose some value as they will take depreciation into account when paying out, but they should still pay out if you are firm enough with them.

[Winter]

Thanks for all the sound advice posted guys.

I've rung my insurance company and know the costs. Thats one option.

There is disputes tribunal - I've been successful there in the past. Thats one option.

I'm going to give her a call shortly - I just rang and was told she would be back in 10 minutes.

Any advice on how this conversation should go?

Hi, I'm the guy you hit, can i have $1200?

or.

Hi, my names matt, I was on the motorbike when we met early November. I'm ringing to get the ball rolling with insurance and things, cuz i've just learnt how to hold a phone again.

[Quasievil]

Get your $450 and come see Uncle Quasi, I will sought you out with a full kit somehow mate

[Winter]

Get your $450 and come see Uncle Quasi, I will sought you out with a full kit somehow mate

Quasi mate, they cut the jacket I got from you. Somehow they didn't just want to take it off me, they cut it into confetti!

I'll be back down to see you soon as I'm out of plaster.

[Grahameeboy]

Thanks for all the sound advice posted guys.

I've rung my insurance company and know the costs. Thats one option.

There is disputes tribunal - I've been successful there in the past. Thats one option.

I'm going to give her a call shortly - I just rang and was told she would be back in 10 minutes.

Any advice on how this conversation should go?

Hi, I'm the guy you hit, can i have $1200?

or.

Hi, my names matt, I was on the motorbike when we met early November. I'm ringing to get the ball rolling with insurance and things, cuz i've just learnt how to hold a phone again.

If she is Insured then you claim under her policy but you are not entitled to full replacement, only Indemnity value i.e. value at time of accident.

If she is not insured she is only liable for Indemnity Settlement. This is all the DT will allow.

How much will your contents cover after deducting wear and tear. Is it $1200 or is that the cost to replace?

As far as your loss of bonus is concerned. If the lady is insured then your contents insurer's pay you under policy and recover from the lady's insurance, get all their money back which effectively cancels the claim i.e. nil cost and you should not get lose your bonus....your Insurer should have told you that which is bad on their part as it is a basic matter.

[Winter]

If she is Insured then you claim under her policy but you are not entitled to full replacement, only Indemnity value i.e. value at time of accident.

If she is not insured she is only liable for Indemnity Settlement. This is all the DT will allow.

How much will your contents cover after deducting wear and tear. Is it $1200 or is that the cost to replace?

As far as your loss of bonus is concerned. If the lady is insured then your contents insurer's pay you under policy and recover from the lady's insurance, get all their money back which effectively cancels the claim i.e. nil cost and you should not get lose your bonus....your Insurer should have told you that which is bad on their part as it is a basic matter.

My insurer will only pay after deducting wear and tear, which I can live with, was only 8months old.
They did mention it was possible for them to recover the costs, but I got the feeling it may or may not happen.

Still leaves me the problem of having no receipts. My insurer suggested I'd have to go to the shops and ask them to find the receipts.. yeah right!

[Grahameeboy]

My insurer will only pay after deducting wear and tear, which I can live with, was only 8months old.
They did mention it was possible for them to recover the costs, but I got the feeling it may or may not happen.

Still leaves me the problem of having no receipts. My insurer suggested I'd have to go to the shops and ask them to find the receipts.. yeah right!

Who are you insured with.....ask for a supervisor as the claims officer you are dealing with has no idea.

They have subrogation rights to recover in your name and they should try to recover. If they refuse to recover then they should not reduce your bonus because it is a No Claim Bonus and their refusal to try and recover should not prejudice you....I would even ask for my excess back as this is recoverable and in a recovery action against a uninsured driver, any monies recovered first go to you up to the value of your excess.

Sounds like you need someone who knows what they are doing to deal with your claim so speak to a supervisor...happy to help if needed.

[Lteejay]

probably be just as hard to get it off her but wont cost as much. Give it a go

I'd definitly give it a go. You might be lucky and she could be one of those who take responsibility for their actions and can afford to pay it.

Good luck

[Winter]

Who are you insured with.....ask for a supervisor as the claims officer you are dealing with has no idea.

They have subrogation rights to recover in your name and they should try to recover. If they refuse to recover then they should not reduce your bonus because it is a No Claim Bonus and their refusal to try and recover should not prejudice you....I would even ask for my excess back as this is recoverable and in a recovery action against a uninsured driver, any monies recovered first go to you up to the value of your excess.

Sounds like you need someone who knows what they are doing to deal with your claim so speak to a supervisor...happy to help if needed.

She did say that in the event of them recovering I would eventuallly be refunded the excess.
Your posts have given me a bit of hope. I might just put some hope in my insurance co (ASB Bank, underwritten by IAG) and go through the process.

I just rang the at fault driver. Told her who I was and she still didn't ask how I was. Callous bitch.
She asked me to call her in the morning when she could get her insurance brokers details off her work PC.

I don't think I'll bother.

[Grahameeboy]

She did say that in the event of them recovering I would eventuallly be refunded the excess.
Your posts have given me a bit of hope. I might just put some hope in my insurance co (ASB Bank, underwritten by IAG) and go through the process.

I just rang the at fault driver. Told her who I was and she still didn't ask how I was. Callous bitch.
She asked me to call her in the morning when she could get her insurance brokers details off her work PC.

I don't think I'll bother.

No bother dude....if she is Insured your Bike Insurer's should have an idea who they are so get details from them and give them to ASB and tell them to recover their losses, your excess and give back your Bonus.

[Winter]

Ok Grahameeboy, thanks for your advice.

I'll ring my insurance co in the morning and get my claim rolling.
I have all the at fault drivers details from the police crash report. I'll pass that info on to them.

I owe you a beer.

[homer]

Most of you know about my off.

The Ambo's cut off my pants, tee, jacket, and bag.

I suffered a massive blow to the head, so my helmet has to be turfed.

All up about $1200 to replace it all.

Donna from kiwibike has so far been execllent in dealing with the claim for my bike, but, alas my gear isn't on that policy.

My house and contents provider tells me it will cost me $450 for the excess and loss of no claims.

Considering I don't think I have receipts for this stuff it's going to be a big, expensive pain in the ass.

What can I do?


Crash wasn't my fault - should I ring the lady who hit me and ask her for $1200?

Think you have the wrong insurance company
oh yes you should ring her if its noted as her at fault you can claim off her insurance ...
You claim everything you can think of from her .....didnt you damage your sunnys to ......i think you would have done .....did you have a bag on the back ? may have been riped

You get your insurance to sort it with her and her insurer
no good going and saying i need $1200
When i claimed in my crash i claimed bike ,gloves ,swanndri,helmet

[Raelynn]

seems ridiculous doesn't it... what good is getting your bike fixed if you don't have any gear to ride it in? gear replacement/repair should be an integrated part of all bike insurance, especially as they can both be damaged in a crash. It would be if your car insurance only covered mechanical OR panel damage. You won't always ~need~ both but c'mon, if you have a bad enough accident you're unlikely to only wreck your bike.

even policies with the "extra" of gear replacement, getting market value rather than the replacement cost after your gear is road rashed to hell and back... what's the point in insurance if you have to subsidise the payout just to get back to square one?

[imdying]

Do bother, currently she has you right where she wants you.

Yes, the shops will give you receipts (or rather quotes) as they want to sell you new gear.

Another member here killed his 2 piece A* suit that he purchased from Japan, he got some quotes for replacing it here (as he had no receipts), and they gave him that value less 10% because they were a year old. I believe he claimed on his own home and contents (own fault accident).

[Blue Velvet]

Get quotes for equivalent gear from shops. My insurance company has accepted this in the past.

Damn your excess is high though...

[Mom]

Your posts have given me a bit of hope. I might just put some hope in my insurance co (ASB Bank, underwritten by IAG) and go through the process.



Best of luck with it mate, you are going to need it if my experience of making a claim while insured by them is anything to go by. I found they had an incredible "dont give a shit"attitude.

We got burgled, I made a claim over the phone to their 24/7 0800 claims number. Bloke I sopke to approved everything and said all I had to do was provide them with the police file number and they cheque would be in the mail! Sounds simple! I rang the 24/7 number about 6pm the following day with the number, was told yes all done now, and sat back waiting for my payout.

And I waited, and waited. After 10 days I rang again to find out what had happened, the guy told me they were waiting for the police file number! I explained I had already rung it through, he put me on hold and when he came back said, Oh yes we have found it, problem was I had rung them outside of their office hours! When I pointed out to him that it was actually impossible to ring outside of office hours when they have a 24/7 0800 claim number he said an agency answered the number after normal office hours and the message had not been put through.

This was only part of the hassles this claim created, I changed insurance companies straight afterwards. Their customer retention person rang to find out the reason I had pulled my insurance (house, contents, 2 vehicles, caravan, business, public liability etc) After I had told her she just said she understood completely.

My advice PUSH THEM HARD to work on your behalf, dont let them fob you off in anyway! You pay the premiums and should expect to get what you are paying for.

[Pancakes]

I got hit a few months back and don't have contents insurance. Lots of people have made good points and there are technicalities also, I could be bothered doing individual quotes and addressing each point tho.

I made an uninsured losses claim thru the agent of the guy that hit me (AMI Browns Bay) and explained that the gear was not new but was all in perfect order to do what I bought it for and would have still been if they didn't hit me and that I wouldn't accept devaluation. Don't have receipts for my gear but gave them an idea of the price I cought it for $300 boots (6 years old) $300 Helmet (1 and a half years old) $350 for Cordura jacket and pants (2 years old and $50 for gloves (2 years old). Also supplied the receipt from Motomail showing I had replaced the gear already to the tune of $1500. Had a few kinda heated discussions with the insurance agent and after roughly 2 weeks they wrote me a cheque for $952.00.

Stick to your guns and keep at them. I was told buy the agent at first I wasn't insured as I had no contents insurance, he didn't offer info on uninsured losses. Was also told once I asked about uninsured losses that I had missed the timeframe to claim and I explained I had been hospitalised with a head injury from the accident etc and wasn't able to claim. I was ready to start on the person who hit be too but then the Insurance co. came to the party.

Feel free to PM me or just post if you want any other info.

[99TLS]

i had a accident and my gear was farked, leathers, helmet, gloves, boots all was insured for $3k and i only got approx $1500 from onsurance even though gears were only months old and i had receipts :mad:

[imdying]

i had a accident and my gear was farked, leathers, helmet, gloves, boots all was insured for $3k and i only got approx $1500 from onsurance even though gears were only months old and i had receipts :mad:Ahhh, figures... so easily to manipulate... Only months old, you'd get 90% of their value... and presumably you've taken your excess off the 3k?

[Blue Velvet]

i had a accident and my gear was farked, leathers, helmet, gloves, boots all was insured for $3k and i only got approx $1500 from onsurance even though gears were only months old and i had receipts :mad:

That sucks. I lost less than a hundred bucks on my gear, the helmet was full replacement cost. Sounds like I was lucky.

[suckingair]

I got knocked off my bike 4 weeks ago, and just picked up the old girl from the shop (damn it feels good to be on 2 wheels.. but anyway..). My insurance replaced my helmet with no lose to excess etc by me. They even asked if the rest of my gear needed replacing. I had a 5 year old Shoei XR800, and replaced it with a new XR1000.

About the receipts, by law every business in NZ has to keep copies for 7 years, so if they say "We don't have.." it means "We can't be arsed.."

I hope that you get sorted man..

[Matt_TG]

IAbout the receipts, by law every business in NZ has to keep copies for 7 years, so if they say "We don't have.." it means "We can't be arsed.."




Oh really? I think you are referring to documents to support tax records, not cash sale receipts.

Any receipts that are being talked about would be the ones you as a buyer would keep to prove how much it cost you and when you bought it, not a record of sale from the retailer. Most clothing would be rung up as a cash sale anyway so identifying who bought what would be impossible I'd imagine.

Regardless too of what you think your gear is worth, with clothing all anyone would be liable to pay (either an insurer or at fault third party) would be the value of that item at the time (or immediately before) the accident, not it's replacement value. Think along the lines of what you would pay for a secondhand jacket / helmet etc .. even if only worn occasionally. Look at it this way, would you buy a used jacket off TradeMe for the price of a new one?

There's nothing to stop you claiming (and your insurer's supporting your claim) against the other party for its replacement value though. Maybe they will suprise you with the offer.

[MSTRS]

I think you will find that clothing is generally replacement value of an equivalent item.
Why wasn't this added the the other party's insurance since they were at fault?

[discotex]

Ok Grahameeboy, thanks for your advice.

I'll ring my insurance co in the morning and get my claim rolling.
I have all the at fault drivers details from the police crash report. I'll pass that info on to them.

I owe you a beer.

His advice is pretty much spot on.

I've just got settlement from my smash that happened the week before yours.

Contents insurance has paid out all bar the $100 excess and I'm expecting that in a week or two once they have contacted the other parties insurance company. Already got the bike policy settlement and excess.

I found I really had to make the point that the police have found the other driver at fault. The usual story they give is assuming you are at fault (hence the threat of losing your no-claim bonus etc).

They will ask for a quote for the exact gear (or equivilant if old enough you can't find a dealer with that gear anymore) and the age and condition at the time of the accident. From that they will calculate a depreciation factor - mine was the minimum 10%.

PM me if you need any help mate.