Had a crash, need advice...

[Burger]

This morning I had an accident on my bike, turned into work and wasn't paying attention to oncoming traffic, and got t-boned buy a car. Totally my fault, and pretty gutted about the whole thing. Damage to both sides of the bike, foot brake ripped off, fairings busted. I've left it here at work for the time being.

My insurance had lapsed some time ago, but for some reason I was motivated last night to sort it out, and rang up and got it fully covered.

However, my WOF and Rego had both lapsed, and I was going to get that sorted today, until the accident.

So what do I do ? Do I even bother telling the insurance company ? I'm definitely not covered without those things. What about the other car, will they be covered ?

Better start saving I guess :(

[Nagash]

You said it yourself.. better start saving.

That's a real bitch of a situation to be in mate especially with such a nice bike.

I assume you didn't with stand any injuries yourself.


It may be worth talking to the driver's of the car and perhaps setting out a long-term payment option. Hopefully they'll be fairly reasonable about the whole thing.

[nodrog]

ill buy the sidestand off you to help with costs.

talk to your insurance company, you may be surprised.

[Squiggles]

Yes, talk to insurance, the bike was presumably in a "warrantable state" at the time, and its condition didnt cause the accident, im not sure how they deal with registrations...

[Usarka]

I'm definitely not covered without those things.



How do you "know" this.....?

[TOTO]

I think insurance will go trough mate - talk to them (and be really kind and nice)

[Burger]

How do you "know" this.....?

I don't know, I assumed. I can't imagine an insurance company would pay anything if you were riding an unwarranted, unregistered vehicle.

I haven't had much to do with insurance companies before so I don't know what the deal is.

I'm prepared to take responsibility though. It was stupid to ride the bike, and I caused the accident.

[skidMark]

talk to insurance, theres no harm in trying.

[Usarka]

I don't know, I assumed. I can't imagine an insurance company would pay anything if you were riding an unwarranted, unregistered vehicle.


You know an assumption makes an ass out of you and umption....

If the accident wasn't as a result of a mechanical failure on the bike then you are in with a chance.

Probably the biggest suspicion they'll have is a claim the day after you started the policy! :sherlock:

Give em a call....... and good luck.:niceone:

[CookMySock]

I'd tearfully fess up to them and tell them the whole sorry story. Likely they will cover you for that I think. If they wont, them flame fuck out of them on KB. :laugh:

Steve

[boman]

My sister got an insurance payout in an unregistered and unwarranted rav4. It seems because the accident wasn't because of a mechanical fault they paid. Pissed me off, as I had been preaching to her for as long as I can remember about not having both up to date and crashing, then the insurance dosn't usually payout. And then they pay out.

So talk to the insurance company. The worst that can happen is they say no.


:weep: :( :beer:

[pzkpfw]

They'd find out anyway, wouldn't they?

[Trouser]

Like every ones said. If the vehicles condition didn't contribute to the crash then the WOF status is not relevent. The registration is totally irrelevent to any insurance claim.

[vifferman]

The important thing here is disclosure. The insurance company have an 'out' if you don't tell them the truth, so while they're unlikely to deny the claim because of the lapsed WOF and rego, they have a contractual right to refuse to pay if you lie to them or withhold information, as when you accepted the insurance policy in the first place you agreed to this clause.

[The Stranger]

The important thing here is disclosure. The insurance company have an 'out' if you don't tell them the truth, so while they're unlikely to deny the claim because of the lapsed WOF and rego, they have a contractual right to refuse to pay if you lie to them or withhold information, as when you accepted the insurance policy in the first place you agreed to this clause.

I haven't had an insurer ask about a rego or warrant yet and have made and been paid out for claims on vehicles with expired shit.
Don't ask, don't tell. If they do ask, well as noted above, best not to lie.

More importantly, STFU!
Don't jump on the Internet and announce to the world that your insurance isn't up to scratch i.e. no rego or warrant.

At least 2 people have had big trouble with insurance claims as a result of posts on KB. One had his claim denied and became subject of a fraud investigation as a result of his own posts.

But hey, it's only money right, easy enough to get more.

[imne1]

Maybe you could tell the insurance company you rode the bike to work so you could take it in for a WoF at lunch break (which you may have been going to do anyway ;-| . Say you've had the bike off the road for winter and just brought it hence the need for insurance etc.
they can't prove otherwise and it's a plausible explanation.

[The Stranger]

Maybe you could tell the insurance company you rode the bike to work so you could take it in for a WoF at lunch break (which you may have been going to do anyway ;-| . Say you've had the bike off the road for winter and just brought it hence the need for insurance etc.
they can't prove otherwise and it's a plausible explanation.

Why the fuck would you lie when there is no need to?
Is this a habit of yours?

[nodrog]

will it get a WOF as it is now? if so all you have to do is get a rego and WOF, then met up with the guy in the car again, then ride it back into the damaged car (stand on your seat so the impact momentum carries you over the car, and you will land safely on the road with minimal injury), then ring your insurance company and make a claim. simple really.

[vgcspares]

Whether a bike is registered or not is wholly irrelevant as the collection of taxes is not pertinent to the insurance coverage. Neither is an expired warrant per se, however the bike must be in a "warrantable" (roadworthy)condition. So put in a claim and the assessor will puick up on the expired WOF and check the bike for roadworthiness (obviously a bit difficult if it's smashed to smithereens). Assuming you would have passed a WOF that day you should be good.

[Burger]

Thanks for everybody's advice. I'll contact the insurance company and tell them exactly what happened and see what comes of it. It's only money after all, at least my body is still in one piece.

Cheers!

[Patar]

You realise that the reason you had a crash was because you got insurance, right?
I can guarantee it wouldn't have happened had you not gotten the bike insured.

[Forest]

This morning I had an accident on my bike, turned into work and wasn't paying attention to oncoming traffic, and got t-boned buy a car. Totally my fault, and pretty gutted about the whole thing.

Although it does suck that you've had an accident, I just wanted to say "good on you" for taking responsibility.

That's a rare attitude in these modern times and I'm impressed with your attitude.

Good luck with the insurance company.

[The Stranger]

Although it does suck that you've had an accident, I just wanted to say "good on you" for taking responsibility.

That's a rare attitude in these modern times and I'm impressed with your attitude.

Good luck with the insurance company.

Hear hear.


See katman for a gold star.

[Matt_TG]

I'd agree with the above - you don't have to tell them it had no WOF or Reg, but they will normally either find it out or they will ask you directly ... then you must answer truthfully.

There's an Insurance Law Reform Act that applies here though ...

Section 11 of the Insurance Law Reform Act 1977 says that a requirement of cover (ie WOF) cannot be an exclusion if it had nothing to do with the event. So, you can have an unwarranted and unroadworthy heap of shit car sitting at the lights and someone hits you from behind but if not having a warrant was not the cause you're ok.

Good luck!

[discotex]

My insurance had lapsed some time ago, but for some reason I was motivated last night to sort it out, and rang up and got it fully covered.

However, my WOF and Rego had both lapsed, and I was going to get that sorted today, until the accident.


You should be fully covered. I take it you have a police report that states the date and time of the accident?

If that's the case you have clear proof you crashed AFTER you renewed your policy. Unless there's a minimum no-claim period you'll be fine.

As others have said WOF/rego doesn't come into it because your driving was at fault not a mechanical issue.

Make sure you let us know how you get on.

EDIT: Oh, and given you were hit by someone else I think you'll have witnesses if there is a dispute about when the accident was...

[Burger]

I rung the insurance company this morning, they guy I spoke to was very polite, and basically told me to take it to the local dealer and get it assessed.

From what I was told, it sounds like I might be covered.

They also agreed that due to the fact that a 3rd party was involved, it would not be a problem with the time between cover/accident.

Thanks for everybody's help so far. The insurance company will get a nice recommendation here if everything pans out :)

[SpeedMonger]

Don't ask, don't tell. If they do ask, well as noted above, best not to lie.


My sentiments too, don't hand it to 'em on a plate. Hopefully you can have someone back up your intention to wof the bike that day - your boss would be a good one , having booked in the time off to get it done :innocent:

[CHOPPA]

put some race glass on, a slip on exhaust and sell it as a pro twin race bike!

[MarkH]

Maybe you could tell the insurance company you rode the bike to work so you could take it in for a WoF at lunch break (which you may have been going to do anyway ;-| . Say you've had the bike off the road for winter and just brought it hence the need for insurance etc.
they can't prove otherwise and it's a plausible explanation.

Then you find out that they are not going to pay . . . and you receive a court summons, you are charged with insurance fraud . . . the insurance investigator spoke with you co-workers and knows you have been riding your bike to work for months . . . because of your lies they think that you deliberately crashed to claim the insurance.

Or

Be honest and be pleasantly surprised that they will pay out for you and for the 3rd party - you may get your insurance cancelled after or at least face a much higher premium. But at least you haven't been charged with fraud after lying to the insurance company!

[Burger]

I promised to update this thread when I heard what's happening with my bike.

My insurance company has given the go ahead for full repairs to my bike, which is great news. A relatively small crash and the repair bill is almost half the cost of the bike. I only hope that I get it back before christmas!

Thanks for everybodys advise, can't wait to get back on the road!

[madbikeboy]

Proving that telling the truth is always the best approach.

I once put an insurance claim in for something that I did that destroyed a car, noting on the bottom that I "was sorry for being a stupid moron".

They paid out, and the claims lady had a giggle.

[Muppet]

Um....screw the bike, how are YOU? You must have got some injuries surely?

[Burger]

Um....screw the bike, how are YOU? You must have got some injuries surely?

Pretty lucky really. It was a relatively slow crash, enough to tip the bike and knock me off. I must have reacted quickly and lifted my leg up, because my shin isn't all smashed in.

I did land on my shoulder however, and it still hurts a bit when I stretch it, but thankfully that's the only real injury.

It's my third bike accident. Once I smashed into the back of a car going down Ngauranga Gorge, flew across 3 lanes, stopped traffic and had a car come to a stop centimetres from my head and all I had was a blood blister on my finger where the clutch lever smashed it.

So yeah, I've been lucky when it comes to bike accidents :)