Anyone had experience of claiming for bike damage?

[sheffgirl]

I was involved in a collision 3 weeks ago and my bike was damaged. Luckily I was just bruised and they have just about faded now.
I have contacted the driver's insurance to ask about claiming forthe ddamage to my bike, but they seem to be taking a long time
Does anyone have any advice?
It is not really financially viable to repair the bike so I have bought a new one, and want to claim for this and a new helmet (I can't be certain whether I hit my head as I flipped over).

 

[Levo-Lon]

Try local CAB for free advice.. or talk to you solicitors, but I guess someone will have had this issue

 

[Drago]

It's worth joining the CTC to cover this eventuality.

 

[gbb]

The slow response from insurers may be expected.
Who's to blame ? thats what they'll be looking at before making any decisions.
I had a claim the bus company refuted all the way up to the point where the driver was convicted in court. At that point i contacted the insurer and offered a quick painless solution...pay me for the damage to bike and clothing (circa £900 IIRC) and i won't go down the 'take you to court ' route.
They offered a smaller amount, i wouldnt budge, they then immediately met my 'demands' and a cheque was issued that very day. TBF, once the guy was convicted, they were (the bus companies insurers) very polite, quick and helpful.

£900 is a result for the insurer...imagine how much it costs them when a claims firm gets involved.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I have. I got my lbs to give me a written quote for replacement, took photos of the damage and sent both to the drivers insurer. Took a six or seven weeks to get sorted, it helped that the driver admitted liability straight away.

Re the helmet I was adviced by a personal injuries specialist via a friend that you should claim for helmet replacement regardless of whether or not it took any impact. I wasn't wearing one at the time so thought it best not to make a claim for one

 

[sheffgirl]

I believe it was the drivers fault. I was crossing a side road and they turned into the road, knocking me off, claimedthey ddidn't see me. It was dark but I had lights on.
The insurance say they are looking into liability. It took 2 weeks to get a statement from the driver. I just have no idea what to expect, never had an accident before (not involving anyone else anyhow!).

 

[sheffgirl]

I have sent some photos, the manufacturer (decathlon) have said if I bring the bike in they can assess it but I am struggling since I don't drive, and live 11 miles from the store.
I think I was launched off the bike, flipped over and my head contacted the kerb as I came down. I certainly had a headache that night.
I don't want a lot of money, the bike was only £240 new 2 years ago.

 

[Sara_H]

I'm using Slater and Gordon to claim against the insurers of the driver who knocked me down.
I accessed them via my CTC cover but they are working on a no win no fee basis so I assume that you will be able to access the service at no cost to yourself.
They are very experienced in cyclist claims. Worth getting in touch, the office is opposite John Lewis in the city centre.

 

[PK99]

I was involved in a collision 3 weeks ago and my bike was damaged. Luckily I was just bruised and they have just about faded now.
I have contacted the driver's insurance to ask about claiming forthe ddamage to my bike, but they seem to be taking a long time
Does anyone have any advice?
It is not really financially viable to repair the bike so I have bought a new one, and want to claim for this and a new helmet (I can't be certain whether I hit my head as I flipped over).

I claimed on my household policy and they claimed from the driver's insurance company - payment from my company was cash and within a few days of my telephone claim. I'm insured with Hiscox with exclusive cycle cover to £2k per bike unlimited number of bikes. i had to pay the normal excess, but claimed that from the drivers insurance as part of the overall damages claim

 

[Sara_H]

I have sent some photos, the manufacturer (decathlon) have said if I bring the bike in they can assess it but I am struggling since I don't drive, and live 11 miles from the store.
I think I was launched off the bike, flipped over and my head contacted the kerb as I came down. I certainly had a headache that night.
I don't want a lot of money, the bike was only £240 new 2 years ago.

I had a crash estimate done by bike rehab in the city centre. They will collect your bike from home.

 

[cyberknight]

Sounds to me like they are ignoring you in the hope that you will go away.

 

[sheffgirl]

@Sara_H thank you, I will contact them

 

[sheffgirl]

@cyberknight I think you're right, I've rung them 3 times and last time they told me not to ring back, they will ring me but screw that, I'll be back onto them next week, if i annoy them enough they might actually do something.
My bike is my only transport, and i toldthem this. If it was a car im sure they'd react sooner .

 

[Sara_H]

@cyberknight I think you're right, I've rung them 3 times and last time they told me not to ring back, they will ring me but screw that, I'll be back onto them next week, if i annoy them enough they might actually do something.
My bike is my only transport, and i toldthem this. If it was a car im sure they'd react sooner .

I have similar feelings. I've had two cars written off in collisions, didn't take this long to sort out. My crash was in July, still waiting for cheque for repair costs, though they did agree to pay a few weeks ago.
I think it's because they haven't got the cost of a hire car to consider, no real financial incentive for them to pay up quickly.

 

[vickster]

@cyberknight I think you're right, I've rung them 3 times and last time they told me not to ring back, they will ring me but screw that, I'll be back onto them next week, if i annoy them enough they might actually do something.
My bike is my only transport, and i toldthem this. If it was a car im sure they'd react sooner .

I would just tell them you are now taking legal advice. Might as well try to claim for the injuries as well if you can. Did you get medical treatment at the time, records will be needed to progress any personal injury claim

Take some photos of the bruises in the meantime