How to claim your motorcycle insurance
Simple steps to reduce the stress of your motorcycle insurance claim
In most cases, making a claim about your motorcycle insurance should be easy.
However, some factors make the claim difficult. For example, disputes over blame or if the other driver are not insured.
But you will be able to reduce the hassle if you can provide your insurance company with as much information as possible.
What to do if you have an accident
First, be sure to address safety concerns. Then, you can think about the steps you need to take before filing a claim.
- Do not acknowledge liability or offer compensation. There may be other factors you were not aware of that contributed to the accident. If you are blamed, this may affect any insurance payments you are entitled to.
- Make a note of the registrations of the other vehicles involved.
- Take names and contact details of other motorists, passengers, and other witnesses. Road users are obligated to share this information, in addition to their insurance details.
- Try to draw what happened in the accident.
- Take pictures of afterward if possible.
- Write down your location, including the names of the roads or streets and the numbers of homes or businesses closest to you. Write down any other information that might be relevant such as road conditions or weather, as well as the time of day.
Dealing with your insurance company
After an accident, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the matter. This applies whether or not you plan to file a claim, and it must be done within 24 hours.
If you wish to proceed, the insurance company will ask the evaluator to rate the cost of the repair. This will usually involve taking your bike to a local garage approved by your service provider. Depending on your policy, you may get a free bike while your car is being repaired.
If you take your motorcycle to a garage of your choice for repair, it is unlikely that you will be able to claim a cost recovery from your insurance company.
When you file a claim, you pay the excess on your policy. If the accident was not your fault - in whole or in part - your insurance company may be able to claim a refund from the third party on your behalf.
What if writing off your motorcycle?
Your insurance company's evaluator will declare your bike written off if the cost to repair is greater than its value. In this case, they will give you a cash amount, minus any surplus.
To find out if that amount is fair, you should research the value of bikes as similar as possible to the value of your bikes in the market.
It is worth noting that any new car purchased will be affected by depreciation. This means that your cash amount may be less than the initial amount you paid for the bike.
If you make any changes that enhance the value of your motorcycle - for example, modifications - inform the insurance company and supply receipts or records of work performed.
If you cannot agree on a fair write-off number, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service. It will help you negotiating a settlement or providing support if you are not satisfied with any other part of the claims process.
The claim after an accident with an uninsured driver
If you are covered comprehensively and have had an accident with an uninsured driver, you will be able to claim your private insurance.
Unless your policy specifically waives this, this could mean forfeiting your No Claims Reward. This means that you will have to pay your regular surplus.
If you do not have comprehensive cover, you may be able to file a claim from the auto insurance office. However, any payments from MIB are subject to an increase of £ 300.
Other types of claims
If your bike is stolen, damaged, or vandalized while parked, it is important to gather as much information as possible.
In cases of theft or vandalism, always keep a record of your dealings with the police and the crime reference number.
This can then be passed on to your insurance company, which will help them handle the claim as quickly as possible.
Post a Comment