Insurance "Claim" - Dilemma

A while back I posted about me 2 month old SV getting knocked over on a Petrol Station Forecourt by a 4x4..........badly dented tank and various minor scuffs and scratches.

Had the Quote from the Dealer (and ok'd by the Insurance Assessor) a while back. With VAT would be around £2,900 . Trust me that (tank apart) it doesn't look like £3k of damage! Indeed had a look tonight and needed the quote to remind me of everything that was damaged!

Over the last few weeks have had various conversations with the Dealer, about maybe pushing for a write off and then doing a trade in for something bigger, even if S/h (Blackbird?!) or, cough, doing a deal on the repairs actually completed

I was originally intending to claim against the 4x4's insurance co, but my broker says, no - claim via my own first and if they later recover then they give me back a couple of years no claims (I have loads at the moment - and being old - 41 - means that it doesn't really matter either way for my next insurance renewal).

Anyway, it turns out I have TWO insurance companies, an extra one that also deals with uninsured losses. My understanding is that this usually applies to recovering the excess (and maybe clothing?) - these guys sent me a letter a while back saying that Mr 4x4 wanted the chance to settle direct, can I send them the insurance quote. Methinks he is gonna have a heart attack when he sees the quote, but worth a stamp.

Just got a letter from insurance company no 2, enclosing a photocopy of a cheque from Mr 4x4 personally for the FULL amount . Apparently the reason I do not have the original cheque is that he made it payable to Insurance Company no 2 and they say it should be made payable to me direct so they returned it to him to re-issue. (A little bit more to the story that I can't go into that leads me to suspect that he has good reason to pay direct / make sure this does not develop into legal or otherwise - obviously nearly 2900 of them ).

Obviously I am not counting my chickens quite yet (yes I am )........but looks like I am going to be quids in with a slightly damaged motorbike and the thick end of £2900 in cash to sort it. Even with the dealer doing the spannering I reckon around £700 will have the bike looking good (at least like a 12 month old bike, instead of a 3 1/2 month old one). and I reckon £2200 covers a lot of depreciation. In fact if I sold the bike (after the repairs), plus the cash I reckon I would be all square on the bike after 4 months of ownership if not a few quid up.

So the dilemma is..........do I keep the SV (slightly worn) for another year and then sell or take the opportunity to effectively get me money back now and either buy a brand spanking new SV (not over keen - I like the SV, but it has never "grabbed me") or "Invest" the cash as part payment on a s/h Litre plus

Wahoo! had to share

Jammy git! Great when insurance works in your favour!

Get something bigger. You've said the SV doesnt do it for you, and you're practically over the hill* so go for it

*I'm not far behind

Originally Posted by fatneck

Get something bigger. You've said the SV doesnt do it for you, and you're practically over the hill* so go for it

*I'm not far behind

Cheeky git

Been Googling......was thinking 2nd hand Blackbird or even a ZZR1100 (a bit old but I just like 'em).......but the CB1300 looks interesting. if a bit pricey.



Strangely enough I can't say too much really excites me. A bit too old (and non-bendy!) for the Race Reps (are they still called that?! ).

I would love one of those 3 wheeled Gileras but just seem a bit too wide for easy filtering. I have strange and varied tastes!

[yorkie_chris]

Seems every time I see you post it's along the lines of "I should've bought a missile"

So get on with it. I seem to remember kwak doing a big brute muscle bike thing, zrx12 or something like that? I liked the look of that more than h#ndas offering.

zzr11 is big, comfy and fairly bulletproof.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Seems every time I see you post it's along the lines of "I should've bought a missile"

Yeah. you do have a point..........

But I do think the SV is great bike. Honest ..........Guess I always want what I don't have

sv1000 ?

The grass is always greener. I'm constantly thinking about the next bike, even though I'm still loving mine. Those Hondas are supposed to be quite brutish, but agree with the ZRX1200 as mentioned above. Retro, powerful fun!?

[punyXpress]

Today's MCN Buying guide is for the CB1300S
Prices from £3500 to £6000
Whatever you decide - enjoy!

My personal opinion on the whole affair...

1) You're one hell of a jammy &^£$*!.
2) I'd be fixing the SV myself, on the cheap - hell, use filler on that tank if you have to!
3) With the spare cash, I'd be buying a stolen/recovered bike from a specialist, and doing that up.

Result, two bikes. Keep the SV as you think it's a good bike, do up a stolen/recovered as a toy to play with.