hi, quick question (but perhaps not)

[Black Sheep]

hi, posted this here as i think you guys who ride every day will have experience of this (although i obviously hope you haven't)

while biking to my fiancee's house today, some idiot decided to swerve in front of me (straight street with parked cars on each side but enough room for a van and a bike with no worries) he was far enough from me for either of us to be able to brake so no immediate danger, to the point that i didn't swerve

i'm presuming he just wanted to try and scare me for the fun of it

but, i'm wondering what would happen if there had been a collision, other than being in pain.

making the assumption that the driver stops and is insured etc and that my bike is damaged beyond repair

i'm trying to figure out if i'd actually get anything insurance wise since the bike was built in the 60's, is steel framed and on 27 inch wheels completed by down tube friction shifter and cotted ranks.

would i just be told "be grateful for a replacement" even if thats just an entry level road bike and not what i want nor like riding? or would i be able to hold out for a steel framed and specced to the equivalent of what my bike currently is (rack, guards etc)?

do insurance companies (with some hastleing) agree that things can be replaced 'like for like' even if there isn't an off the peg modern equivalent or would i be told that the bikes old and worth nothing and so not entitled to anything?

cheers

 

[marinyork]

Firstly your safety and well being would be the most important thing. If it was their fault you'd ring up the CTC and see what their solicitors could do for you. I understand they are persistent and have got some payments out of very awkward customers.

 

[Black Sheep]

indeed, my safety and well being is important,

I'm just not liking the thought of having to fork out £500+ to get a bike i'm happy riding (can't stand integrated levers and shifters and don't like more than about 6 gears, and only happy riding a steel frame)

 

[marinyork]

Yeah, absolutely. Well I've fortunately not been in that position so can't really say. I get the impression that not much gets past the lot that sort out the 3rd party insurance at the CTC so I'd have thought it wouldn't be a problem. There are people out there who have claimed under that and perhaps this thread will catch their eye.

 

[Black Sheep]

cheers marinyork, i'm hoping someone who's been unfortunate enough to experience this can shed some light

 

[fossyant]

Well, i'm in that situation.... was hit by a car before Christmas.

My solicitor has outlined they'll (third party) want to take age/wear and tear into account. My bike was only scratched, but it is 14 years old - it had a professional respray about 8 years ago, and any worn parts have, of course been replaced as needed - the thing looks almost new, and runs exactly so.

As it happens, my pedals were only a month old (scuffed up), skewers are 18 months old (scuffed), but saddle and bar ends are as old as the bike - I somehow don't see them paying.... Helmet - about 3/4 years old - they will want to knock money off for that, but had I not been run over, I wouldn't have had to replace it.

I can see a battle to get full replacement cost for the helmet. I'm also having Physio for an injury, again the solicitor warns about if the other side doesn't accept private treatment...... so it's all a lottery, even if 'not your fault'.

As it happens, the doctor advised to get physio, I've had the xrays done - no broken bones, but the physio reccons I may need to see a shoulder specialist....this I'll try and get through the NHS rather than private... I'm paying £78 a week at the moment for physio - two sessions - so it all add's up..... I'm £300-£400 down at the moment(including new helmet - the other parts will wait)

 

[Tharg2007]

well when i got hit by a car i took my bike to my lbs, the bike was steel with a carbon fork. They went through the damage and as the frame was dented a replacements was needed, to replace a steel lugged frame with reynolds 631 is not that cheap. If your bike is a quality steel frame then a suitable replacement must be made. Othere components were also damaged and they quoted for them too. The insurance people seemed to be completely unaware that a cycle repair could come to £700+, they thought a halfrauds £50 replacement would do as all bikes are the same.

Anyway, they paid up, all you need is a quote from a reputable establishment.

 

[thomas]

My Dad was knocked off his motorbike. He accepted the offer he was given because it took so long to get there. He would have wanted more but couldn't be bothered with it and just wanted to get on with life.

The cost of everything was just a one of deal. They had paid certain things out along the way, so deductions were made for the last figure. It therefore would of covered everything that broke, but the compensation for the pain was pathetic having seen what he went through. It was still a large sum of money though.

 

[BentMikey]

Are you a member of the CTC?

 

[Black Sheep]

me? no can't afford it on the off chance of needing them, would have to join when needed

looked into insurance for the bikes but told it wasn't worth it for the amount i'd get in the event of a claim.