My bikes been written off - Is this a fair offer? - SV650.org

17-09-06, 04:40 PM

OK I bought a brand new SV1000S K6 in June 2006. In July 2006 I was knocked off it by an uninsured driver who also failed to stop. Witnesses got his registration and the police are doing their usual

I've filed a claim with the MIB purely to try and save my no-claims bonus as it was not my fault yet I've still had to claim on my policy as I am fully comp.

I bought the bike on Suzuki's 0% credit deal for £6049 (I wanted a particular colour - metallic oort grey). I had the dealer fit a Datatool System 4 Alarm, Suzuki colour-matched hugger, scottoiler and r&gs. Totalling £6,609

The insurance company have decided that the bike is beyond economical repair and have offered £4,275.

There is no provision in the policy for a brand new bike if my current vehicle is written off within a certain time period. I've checked and it seems this is a value-added item similar to a hire vehicle and not standard.

Dealer's are now knocking out the SV1000S for £5,500

Unfortunately I think my claim is complicated by the fact that I made minimal repairs to my vehicle (for which I was reimbursed separately) as I was due to go on a bike holiday so when my vehicle was inspected by the engineer it had been to the south of France for a week and back and so had gained significant mileage for what was at that time a 2 month old bike. In hindsight I should of recorded the mileage on the bike at the time of the accident.
I'm really not sure how much the mileage or that fact that I had (and still have) continued use of the vehicle may have have complicated the valuation.

The bike now has 6,900 miles on it and is just over 3 months old now.

So anyway, the whole reason for this post is that I want more money off them obviously but I need to justify it. I was hoping the collective wisdom of the forum could provide some objective, useful advice.

I'm planning on sending them the invoice to point out that the bike had an alarm, hugger, scottoiler and crash protectors fitted at the time of purchase. I figure that a dealer would add at least £300 for these items on to the price of a used bike.

I also want to claim at least £5,000 for the bike i.e. an extra £725 over what they've offered, plus £300 for the accessories.

Does this sound reasonable? Do I have grounds to demand more?

Thx for any help.

17-09-06, 04:59 PM

You have grounds to demand what it will cost to put you back in the same situation you were in before.
Get quotes from dealers, take copies of adverts, etc and send them off with a letter stating that these are what the market is demanding to replace your vehicle and the accessories.
Getting a brand new one within 6 months of it being new is nice, but they still shouldn't be able to wriggle out of at least replacing with something as good as you had.

17-09-06, 05:01 PM

Tell them that you as a member of the public and not "trade" can't find a replacement vehicle that will satisfy for there present offer,alternatively take the offer and keep the bike and repair it yourself They will probably then come back with a reduced offer by what they consider the scrap value of the bike to be and I bet the original figure offered and the scrap value is very near to what you paid in the first place so you then have figs supplied by them to haggle with DO NOT ACCEPT THE FIRST OFFER if you think it unfair

18-09-06, 09:55 PM

once you have sorted out your payment it is well worth seeing if you can buy the bike back from them, as they will probably sell it at auction, so even a low price will be good for them- and you.
I have done this once, many moons ago and got a very good deal.

17-09-06, 04:40 PM	#1
curium Guest Posts: n/a	My bikes been written off - Is this a fair offer? OK I bought a brand new SV1000S K6 in June 2006. In July 2006 I was knocked off it by an uninsured driver who also failed to stop. Witnesses got his registration and the police are doing their usual I've filed a claim with the MIB purely to try and save my no-claims bonus as it was not my fault yet I've still had to claim on my policy as I am fully comp. I bought the bike on Suzuki's 0% credit deal for £6049 (I wanted a particular colour - metallic oort grey). I had the dealer fit a Datatool System 4 Alarm, Suzuki colour-matched hugger, scottoiler and r&gs. Totalling £6,609 The insurance company have decided that the bike is beyond economical repair and have offered £4,275. There is no provision in the policy for a brand new bike if my current vehicle is written off within a certain time period. I've checked and it seems this is a value-added item similar to a hire vehicle and not standard. Dealer's are now knocking out the SV1000S for £5,500 Unfortunately I think my claim is complicated by the fact that I made minimal repairs to my vehicle (for which I was reimbursed separately) as I was due to go on a bike holiday so when my vehicle was inspected by the engineer it had been to the south of France for a week and back and so had gained significant mileage for what was at that time a 2 month old bike. In hindsight I should of recorded the mileage on the bike at the time of the accident. I'm really not sure how much the mileage or that fact that I had (and still have) continued use of the vehicle may have have complicated the valuation. The bike now has 6,900 miles on it and is just over 3 months old now. So anyway, the whole reason for this post is that I want more money off them obviously but I need to justify it. I was hoping the collective wisdom of the forum could provide some objective, useful advice. I'm planning on sending them the invoice to point out that the bike had an alarm, hugger, scottoiler and crash protectors fitted at the time of purchase. I figure that a dealer would add at least £300 for these items on to the price of a used bike. I also want to claim at least £5,000 for the bike i.e. an extra £725 over what they've offered, plus £300 for the accessories. Does this sound reasonable? Do I have grounds to demand more? Thx for any help.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
To Fair or not to Fair?	george650	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	22	13-08-08 09:48 AM
Suzuki 0% offer on new bikes	BLK SV	Bikes - Talk & Issues	14	13-11-07 07:31 PM
Suzuki to offer free restrictor kits on selected bikes	Defender	Bikes - Talk & Issues	6	26-07-07 05:54 PM
is it fair?	timwilky	Idle Banter	7	22-04-06 11:06 AM
Written Off Bikes!!!! are you scared?	454697819	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	6	28-06-04 05:27 PM

17-09-06, 04:59 PM	#2
Carsick Guest Posts: n/a	You have grounds to demand what it will cost to put you back in the same situation you were in before. Get quotes from dealers, take copies of adverts, etc and send them off with a letter stating that these are what the market is demanding to replace your vehicle and the accessories. Getting a brand new one within 6 months of it being new is nice, but they still shouldn't be able to wriggle out of at least replacing with something as good as you had.

17-09-06, 05:01 PM	#3
Dicky Ticker Guest Posts: n/a	Tell them that you as a member of the public and not "trade" can't find a replacement vehicle that will satisfy for there present offer,alternatively take the offer and keep the bike and repair it yourself They will probably then come back with a reduced offer by what they consider the scrap value of the bike to be and I bet the original figure offered and the scrap value is very near to what you paid in the first place so you then have figs supplied by them to haggle with DO NOT ACCEPT THE FIRST OFFER if you think it unfair

18-09-06, 09:55 PM	#4
xrphil Guest Posts: n/a	once you have sorted out your payment it is well worth seeing if you can buy the bike back from them, as they will probably sell it at auction, so even a low price will be good for them- and you. I have done this once, many moons ago and got a very good deal.