HELP. My insurance company are thieves.

[discotex]

You know what I'd do.... I'd ring Dave at Kiwibike and ask for advice after telling him you'll get a policy through him when you get your new bike.

He's a good bastard and knows the industry well. May even be able to put you onto some proper assessors to get a valuation that is fair and should be respected by AMI.

[Jerry74]

All insurance companies are thieves lol..... Vero through the Go Lightly scheme is pretty good... mines only $18.00 a fortnight for full bike insurance.

[Matt_TG]

It's not rocket science to settle an insurance claim involving vehicles.

If it's Market Value / Indemnity policy (as opposed to agreed value), then;

1. Get the repair cost from a repairer - you can use a repairer of your choice
2. Get at least two Pre Accident Valuations. Average them out. If they are wildly different in amounts, look into why and possibly get a third
3. Look at what the wreck is worth
4. Work out what is the most economical way to settle the claim. Usually MV less value of the wreck.

Looks like your insurers have done that, in essence you are unhappy with their valuations and the moving of the bike. As you've been told get some new ones from someone qualified to give a valuation (a dealer for example) and throw those into the pot. The sticking point is the value. The insurer staff do not have to be an expert on motorbikes in order to settle a claim, that's why they used qualified people such as dealers and repairers.

I can't see that you have any case against insurers, as they are paying as per your contract with them, unless you prove different / higher worth. If you want to pursue there is an Ombudsman (Insurance and Savings) but you need to demonstrate that you have exhausted all of the insurer's complaint procedures first.

Or as said, take it to the Disbutes Tribunal.

I've been in the assessing industry for over 10 years now and by far the biggest hassle in claims is people disputing the value of their prized commodity when it has a prang. It's worth what it's worth, agreed value is always less hassle if you get an insurer who is prepared to insure it on that basis. As you've found out AMI are not specialist bike insurers and unfortunately cannot provide the empathy you want.

Good luck!

[discotex]

As you've found out AMI are not specialist bike insurers and unfortunately cannot provide the empathy you want.

Exactly why I switched even though they handled my claim ok. I wanted someone who would do track cover - even if it meant higher excess or additional premium.

AMI weren't interested in taking my money (good on them for sticking to core business I guess) so I took my money elsewhere. Best thing I ever did. Very happy with Star through Kiwibike.

[orographic]

I actually changed insurers, partly due to this issue. My previous insurer, AMI would only insure the bike for this nebulous "market value". I take good care of my bike and I think I keep in above average condition. I don't think "market value" is likely to be fair so I prefer an agreed amount. I now insure my bike for a fixed agreed amount so everyone knows where they stand if it is totaled. If you take good care of your bike I suggest you do the same.

I never had to file a claim but having to argue about the value of my bike if I do is aggravation I can do without, especially if my beloved bike is broken and bleeding somewhere...

Interestingly enough, I have had this same problem with that same company.
When i got my bike, I was a customer of theirs of good standing ( via car insurances), and I naively enough thought that that'd pass on to insuring a motorbike.

They were quite happy to insure my bike, and the at the time current value of the bike was agreed on...
Then the policy documents turned up.
While the person on the phone, who was selling me the insurance was quite happy to have me believe i was insuring for a fixed value, the documents showed a market value policy...

I phoned them up, and complained that they'd made an error with the policy documents. .." oh no, we only do market value policies for motorcycles"

I did not appreciate being misled by them.

My bike is not currently insured, but that is largely due to a series of errors, than anything that could be perceived as malicious