Non-fault accident, and the kerfuffle afterwards

[Sly_guy]

Ok, where to start this one...

Last Tuesday, on my daily commute from the top of the shore to CBD, I'd been splitting, then the speed got above 65 - 70kph, so I went to lane 3... a few seconds in that lane, and a bird in a White Galant decided it looked cozy, and thought she would join me ! Managed to slow to about 40 - 45, but locked up the front trying to avoid her (It had just been raining..).... so off I go, sliding down the hard, wet black stuff...

Long and the short of it, a trip to North Shore General (very good standard of care there I must say!) bruised and slightly cracked ribs (ouchie)..

Ok.. so, I'm fully insured, with State, tell them about the incident, they get in touch with the other party, who initially denies liability, (and i'm looking at $850 excess), but then after a bit of digging, she admits fault... Bike's taken off for assessment.

Turns out there is just shy of $3k's worth of damage to the bike (muffler, foot brake, tacho, indicator, mirror, 1 fork etc). However, it's apparently going to take 4 weeks to get some of the parts from Japan / Korea...

I spoke to state about some kind of courtesy vehicle etc, and they say it's not covered, I can "attempt" to claim back costs from the other party, but nothing is guaranteed... (i.e. I could end up with a VERY big car hire bill not being paid..)

So, here I am, 4 weeks without a bike, and I'm going to have to use public transport (yes, it pains me greatly !!!), apparently I "Might" be able to claim back the cost of my bus tickets, but again, no promises...

Is this normal ?, that Insurance companies only replace the actual losses, not the cost of inconviniences too ? Or am I just being a winging(sp?) git ?

Have you guys got any tips on how I might handle this differently? or am I just stuck with the situation ?

I've got gear (all that got replaced withing 3 days...) just no bike.

[Laxi]

standard practice, they make more money by charging extra for rental coverage

[Sly_guy]

standard practice, they make more money by charging extra for rental coverage

Apparently not even an option in their bike policies.... and even on a car policy it's a 14day max hire, WHILST the vehicle is being repaired (i.e. not waiting for parts)

[sparky.scott]

Ok, where to start this one...

Last Tuesday, on my daily commute from the top of the shore to CBD, I'd been splitting, then the speed got above 65 - 70kph, so I went to lane 3... a few seconds in that lane, and a bird in a White Galant decided it looked cozy, and thought she would join me ! Managed to slow to about 40 - 45, but locked up the front trying to avoid her (It had just been raining..).... so off I go, sliding down the hard, wet black stuff...

Long and the short of it, a trip to North Shore General (very good standard of care there I must say!) bruised and slightly cracked ribs (ouchie)..

Ok.. so, I'm fully insured, with State, tell them about the incident, they get in touch with the other party, who initially denies liability, (and i'm looking at $850 excess), but then after a bit of digging, she admits fault... Bike's taken off for assessment.

Turns out there is just shy of $3k's worth of damage to the bike (muffler, foot brake, tacho, indicator, mirror, 1 fork etc). However, it's apparently going to take 4 weeks to get some of the parts from Japan / Korea...

I spoke to state about some kind of courtesy vehicle etc, and they say it's not covered, I can "attempt" to claim back costs from the other party, but nothing is guaranteed... (i.e. I could end up with a VERY big car hire bill not being paid..)

So, here I am, 4 weeks without a bike, and I'm going to have to use public transport (yes, it pains me greatly !!!), apparently I "Might" be able to claim back the cost of my bus tickets, but again, no promises...

Is this normal ?, that Insurance companies only replace the actual losses, not the cost of inconviniences too ? Or am I just being a winging(sp?) git ?

Have you guys got any tips on how I might handle this differently? or am I just stuck with the situation ?

I've got gear (all that got replaced withing 3 days...) just no bike.

Wow glad to hear that your still alive and kicking.

Getting gear and assessed in less than a week is impressive, mines been off the road for two weeks now and hasnt been assessed yet, and i have no means of transport at the moment.

On the courtesy cars front i think most times the panel beater/bike shop or whatever loans out the vehicle, probably of not much use to you i know but i thought might help you out.

[fireliv]

Apparently not even an option in their bike policies.... and even on a car policy it's a 14day max hire, WHILST the vehicle is being repaired (i.e. not waiting for parts)

Yeah we recently had a chick run into our car which put it in the shop for 2 weeks. Unfortunatly we dont have rental cover (which I dont remember them asking about) so were a bit stuffed for our trip to blenheim the next day, but lucky my sister took us. We were also lucky that we had the bikes to transport us round till we got the car back.

No one around you willing to lend you a car or carpool?? Good luck getting it sorted

[Winter]

I've taken a claim to disputes tribunal for a vehicle prang - other party at fault. The had to pay me out for the cost of repairs, towing, storage, and alternate transport costs of my own.

If the other party has admitted liability, I would put it to them they they need to pay for a rental car. The disputes tribunal would likely be on your side.

Still a gamble tho.

[Laxi]

Apparently not even an option in their bike policies.... and even on a car policy it's a 14day max hire, WHILST the vehicle is being repaired (i.e. not waiting for parts)

dodgy as, wouldnt ensure the cage under those terms, its amazing how quick they fix things when they're paying for a rental car

[Mully]

They aren't writing it off??

See if you can pick the repair company - you might be able to swing a courtesy bike (do bike repairer's do that???)

[Sly_guy]

They aren't writing it off??

See if you can pick the repair company - you might be able to swing a courtesy bike (do bike repairer's do that???)

They've already allocated Spectrum motorcycles in Takapuna... (I had the crash a grand total of about 2k away ! ).. no loan bikes ! ..

[Sly_guy]

What has surprised me over here is the fact that the american, sue everyone, system hasn't arrived (yet...)..

In the UK, the last time I had a non fault accident (and we're going back 10 ish years), I was asked about 400 times id I'd suffered whiplash, as I could claim compensation... (i'm not saying it not being here is bad thing by the way!!!!)

[Ragingrob]

Just curious... Did you move at all or just brake? There is plenty of room to move to the side to avoid being hit. Had to do just that twice last week! Swerved and on the horn as soon as they moved.

[Winter]

Talk to the bike shop, ask if they can get you a rental car on the sly, and bill the insurance co for it under something generic like 'motorcycle parts'

tee hee

[Winter]

By the way, kerfuful is such a greatly underused word. Love it

[Sly_guy]

Just curious... Did you move at all or just brake? There is plenty of room to move to the side to avoid being hit. Had to do just that twice last week! Swerved and on the horn as soon as they moved.

I was moving, to try and go to the side of her (the central reservation side), however, I braked slightly too hard for the conditions and lost the front wheel and kind of went to the side of her... I do strongly believe though, that I was either going to hit her or come off..

(yes, practicing emergency braking in the wet is TOP of my priority list when I get the bike back )

[Sly_guy]

By the way, kerfuful is such a greatly underused word. Love it

My aim in life is to use that word at least once a day..... usually followed by something equally as eloquent.... "cock" !