Eff off DirectLine

[Sheffield_Tiger]

No, I'm not happy with £350 towards replacement of a £700 bike

Since you made the derisory offer leaving me unable to replace the bike with an equivalent, I shall now be adding to the claim the costs of commuterising my bike properly (no more bodging a bitsa with old biopace rings to get me by)

I shall also note that the sensor of the computer has been damaged, the casing having split at the point it is affixed to the fork, something I was happy to disregard as "one of those things" and fix with araldite

The scuff on the cycling shoes also renders them less waterproof than they were before the collision I reckon.

Oh, and the front light bracket on the forks cannot be removed due to the fork damage, and the bracket is only available as part of a complete light unit.

Playing silly beggers? You started it! beep beep!

(End Rant)

 

[fossyant]

Third Party's Insurer ?

You are entitled to all those costs above - damaged property/clothing needs to be replaced. I got scratched pedals/bar ends/saddle all replaced. They are 'still in service' though, although bought new pedals and saddle for another bike.

 

[Beebo]

If this is a third party claim, you must remember that they are only obliged to pay you the indemnity value of your bike, ie the second hand value of the bike at the time of the crash, they are not obliged to pay you new for old.

Having said that you should also add the various accessories on to your claim too if they were damaged.

Go back to them and ask for a more realistic offer.

 

[captain nemo1701]

Switch to Cycleguard. They replaced two stolen bikes of mine, nicked within a year of each other. My premium is about £80 per annum, which when compared to car insurance, is peanuts.

 

[Slim]

It can't be a total surprise seeing as Directline are owned by RBS and are trying to provide "shareholder value".

BTW - they treat their staff just as bad as they treat their customers.

 

[d87heaven]

It can't be a total surprise seeing as Directline are owned by RBS and are trying to provide "shareholder value".

BTW - they treat their slaves just as bad as they treat their victims.

Fixed that for you.

 

[2Loose]

@CaptainNemo1701 - Stolen bikes tend to be replaced 'new for old', but I take it that Sheffield Tiger is in negotiation for an insurance payout from a third party.

That sucks ST, but it is very rare that the first offer is reasonable and as Fossy and Beebo say, claim for everything that you can honestly claim for - you are entitled.

Crosses fingers for you.

 

[Slim]

It can't be a total surprise seeing as Directline are owned by RBS and are trying to provide "shareholder value".

BTW - they treat their staff just as bad as they treat their customers.

If it wasn't so bloody true it would be funny. Just had another SSDD situation and I'm ready to turn in already. Just as well I don't use alcohol to de-stress otherwise I'd be p1ssed as a newt by now.

 

[colly]

I can't see the insurance company saying to Joe Driver...........,'It's only a small dent we will give you something towards it'' Just because it is a bike should make no difference. I would expect the full amount if the bike is a write off.

Not sure about this but if the other parties insurance WILL only pay you out on a secondhand value you are still out of pocket by having to replace the damaged stuff with new.
Could you not claim the difference directly from the other party, if as It would seem, you were at 'no fault' in whatever incident occured

I was knocked off some years ago by a young driver pulling across the front of me and apart from a couple of bruises and scuffs to my clothes and bike it was a pretty minor incident. The driver didn't want to claim on his insurance (no surprise) so he came round with his dad to see if we could come to an arrangement.

I was happy with that, so were they. That is until I totalled up what the damage was and included a replacement saddle for the torn one and new pedals to replace the scratched ones new jacket etc etc

........'but it's only small tears on the saddle and and bar tape and the scratches aren't all that big, and the tear in the jacket is not much. You can still use them'

........'Yes, but they aren't new now and they pretty much were before you knocked me off. If you had a door mirror or wing scratched on your car by someone else would you accept just a token payment for the damage? You would want the damage repaired or the items replaced.
Same for me. It's either that or the same bill will go through your insurance company. I don't care either way'

Cue much swearing and muttering but I did get my £200.


Edited to include: On the other hand if the bike was only worth £20 then £350 would be a brilliant offer.

 

[fossyant]

Play hard ball, and mention this is your main form of transport.

 

[downfader]

It took a bit of work but Aviva paid out in full for full replacements and travel costs after I had to claim on a driver's insurance.

Be persistant, honest and firm. If they wont play ball threaten with lawyers such as RJW (if you're in the CTC, British Cyclcing etc then you should have cover to help you with this)

 

[abo]

In a situation like this would it be feasible to insist on expenses incurred due to the bike being off the road e.g. fuel costs (plus something for wear and tear) if using a car, or public transport costs?

 

[biking_fox]

in my experience, insurance companies always make a low first offer, just to see if they can get away with it. They are expecting you to rebuff it, and they will then make a more reasonable offer. Given that some people don't rebuff it, they make more profit.

Just say not acceptible. And wait some more.


FFWIW yes non-bike transport costs should be covered (mine were) as are clothing and everything else.

 

[Jezston]

Oh blimey, I was about to sign up to Direct Line after they gave me a decent quote and seemed really good

Tiger - are they your insurer, or the drivers?

 

[atbman]

Cost of hiring a car to make the journeys you are now unable to make?