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General => Bike Chat => Topic started by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 04:51 PM

Title: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 04:51 PM

Got the report from the insurance co today, they say the bike is uneconomic to repair & is a total loss!  It's all superficial stuff but the agent has priced in new parts for everything, even parts that I consider only need polishing out and new parts that don't even require it.  The assessor has agreed with them by all accounts & they want to scrap my bike, hell, they're even calling it a wreck!
You've seen the pic's, there's not that much there really.


They said I can buy it back at tender if I want it, but they're de-registering it, so it'll need to be fully complied again. I don't want to loose my bike like this, feel ripped off & they'd adjusted the sum insured down & not said anything specific. I was under the assumption it was insured for way more than they're offering. They've got the documents to show the sum insured went down, so I'm stuck with that.

Think I'll try to get it back with the tender & use the settlement figure to fix it myself.


Yes they'll give me enough to buy another one, but I had lots of extra bits on it & they're all basically gone because of the lower cover amount.  Thousands just gone. 


A gutted Col tonight. :frustrated:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 05:21 PM
 :thumbs_down:
Shit Col, that really sucks mate, gutted.
Only you know how much you have put into it, so as long as it is easy enough to get it complied again in NZ ?, it might be worth doing. Tough decision to make.
I would sleep on it for a night or 2, then do the sums when the emotions are not so high (which is bloody understandable) and see what is best.

Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Snapey on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 05:28 PM
Insurance companies are arse holes the world over Col. Your situation says a lot for third party property insurance only. That way you're covered for damage if another vehicle is involved but you have the choice of fixing your bike or selling the parts because you've decided if the bike's a write off or not.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 05:36 PM
I was thinking the same Snapey, which ever way I go, repair or buy again, thinking of 3rd party Fire & Theft insurance, bugger the full cover.  They offer helmet cover & completion of journey cover, recovery costs etc etc, but only if you have a small claim, makes a mockery of their so called benefits and extra coverage.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 05:45 PM
That's a bugger Col - but no different to the U.K. did you have all the extras listed and the valuation adjusted to account for them? If not then can you remove all the extras to put the bike back to standard without them reducing the payout? If so may be worth just removing your additional parts and getting another perhaps. It's labour that is the killer in insurance claims.

But if not then maybe get it back and repair it yourself.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 05:51 PM
Yeah I had them listed, they said they form part of the total & I can't have them back. I'll see how much it goes for at tender, maybe get it back & fix it or use it as a donor bike for the next one. Heaps of good stuff on there, I know as I've not long put a lot of it on there.

Hmmm, just thinking, did I actually add the Delkevic can & link pipe?  I've got the bazooka in one of the sheds. 
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: ARH on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 06:06 PM
That's a complete bummer Col!  Hope you get sorted soon mate.... as we say in Scotland 'what's for yae will no go bye yae'!
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Andre on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 06:27 PM
Maybe a bit better in Germany. Know a guy who got for his wreck what he paid for after riding it for many years. He was pleasantly surprised. They also give you the money to do with as you please AND you keep the bike for no extra pay.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 07:18 PM
also gutted for you Col. insurance certainly sucks. just starting to find out with my house. too boring to write . if theres 3 escapes they use 4. if your bike written off, you get payout but can it be re registered. enough payout to buy another bike? mate had his written off, paid out, they basically gave him the wreck. his vin was filed and not to be rre registered. that was a 2002 gsx14, he got 7g. few mths later wrote off a 2007 busa, gave him 6 g. figure that out. 14 had 120k on clock, busa 30 something. apart from that, not sure what you should do. dont know how it works in NZ. wish i could advise, i cant so it would be bullshit. bottom line is they should replace or fix yours back to how it was.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Mick_J on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 07:53 PM
Thats crap news Col, some companies over here will only pay out what it will cost to replace the bike, they just look in autotrader for a bike with the same miles on it locally to you and thats your price, then the arguments start about condition and accessories etc.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: froudy on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 08:30 PM
That's crap news Col :furious:

Hopefully you'll be able to buy it back for a sensible price and rebuild it or whatever.
When my Bandit was written off they payed out as it was on an Agreed Value policy. I bought the bike back and rebuilt it even better than it was before the accident.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 08:54 PM
Thats a real bitch ! same happened to me but persuaded the assessor not to fit Kawasaki OEM exhaust at £1200 but a Vance and Hines for £600 which stopped the bike being written off  :bugga:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 09:22 PM
Please ring me first thing in the morning
As you need to act quickly before they de-reg it

You could speak with the assessor and try to cash settle for the cost of repairs at a figure a little less than the total loss threshold.

Maybe even withdraw your claim Col.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: seth on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, 10:34 PM
thats crap new col
is there anyway to buy it back and repair it as you rode it home after the accident and you said its all easily repairable .
hope you get sorted buddy .

:cheers:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Red Biker on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 01:18 AM
Bad news indeed Col,
I hope you can find some way to get it back without losing on the deal, Insurance Companies are playing with a stacked deck the shisters!

A sad day if a fellow Black goes to the garage in the sky!
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 01:20 AM
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 19 December  2017, 09:22 PM
Please ring me first thing in the morning
As you need to act quickly before they de-reg it

You could speak with the assessor and try to cash settle for the cost of repairs at a figure a little less than the total loss threshold.

Maybe even withdraw your claim Col.

I've done that before in the UK on one of my bikes - the labour was a ridiculous price for superficial repairs on my old GT750, so I agreed that they would return to me, that they would pay for parts, and would pay me an agreed labour price (which was way below variable labour rates for a workshop). Only other thing I had to agree to was an inspection with all parts receipts at the end of the build to confirm to them that I had not claimed for anything not fitted. Worked brilliantly, and then at least I knew all work was correctly done.

@KiwiCol
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 02:27 AM
Dave & Col, yes I've thought of just collecting the bike back. I've also confirmed to them (and they agree) that I still own the bike until I agree to their terms.  They can't de-register it until it's theirs, that's the law.
They've agreed to not do anything until I get back to them, which would be today.  I've emailed them my understanding of the process to get clarification & confirmation of what's to happen next.

Thinking this morning, I'll take the agreed figure & buy back the bike at tender, they put it up for 1 week, they offer it back to me at the highest bid, if I accept, I pay them that amount & get a de-registered bike back & fix it with the remainder of the agreed payout sum.  This would work out ok as long as the highest tender isn't too high.
I'm thinking for a 1 week tender process at this time of year it'll be going cheap, so could work out ok with enough cash left to fix & re-certify it and still some left over.  Or I keep it as a donor bike for another 14.  If the price goes too high & there won't  be enough left to fix it, I'll just have to let it go at that & buy another one.

Thanks for the support guys, I'll update as things progress.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 04:12 AM
Sounds like a plan Col - lets hope you can buy her back for a good price
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 10:46 AM
Good plan Col, and as you say, the timing will play in your favour around Xmas  :onya:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: VladTepes on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 12:13 PM

Over here I have twice arranged to buy back 'wrecks' from insurance companies (a bike and ute) and fixed them up as good as they were before (better even) and have change left over from the settlement.


Sounds a bit different to there in that in my case the company actually gave me a figure they'd sell it back to me for.


Anyway I reckon you've made the right call.

Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 02:09 PM
So, after much soul searching and gnashing of teeth, I've signed the death warrant for my bike.  The Ins co will de-register it & also (I found out) take the VIN plate off it, making it exceedingly difficult and expensive to fix her up & put her back on the road again.  I'll still buy it back (as long as it's not a ridiculous figure) and use the extras on it for the next one & the rest of the bike as donor parts when required.

There is another sort of plan hatching as well, it can't go back on the road, but it could be turned into a track only bike . . .    Thinking Thinking.
It still runs fine & the engine is great, so this is another avenue I could look into. Just have to get it back first.

Now an update (to be fair) on the Ins Co. They did cover the helmet & recovery costs over & above the sum insured.  While I am still really gutted my bike met it's end in this way, at least they did do what they have written in the cover, which has made it a little easier to take.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Kiwifruit on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 05:37 PM
I am insured with the same company Col. I now need to look at how my accessories are insured. I would hate to have a low speed off and have to hand over all my undamaged panniers, tankbag and the like because i have said i want them covered when i use them. This because they say now makes up the sum insured
My view of insurance companies has not been improved by your recent experience.
I just hope that the wreckers have all gone on holiday and you have a bit of a win at tender time.
Sure would make a fun track bike  :onya:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 06:28 PM
Got dibs on a replacement, a tidy looking B/W.    What model is it? K6 or K7, you B/W owners would know.  & what's the difference between Special Edition, Limited Edition & Final Edition?  Are they all names for the same version of the bike just named differently in different countries?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1496878692
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Trav Man on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 06:48 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 20 December  2017, 06:28 PM
Got dibs on a replacement, a tidy looking B/W.    What model is it? K6 or K7, you B/W owners would know.  & what's the difference between Special Edition, Limited Edition & Final Edition?  Are they all names for the same version of the bike just named differently in different countries?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1496878692

That looks to be a K6 to me mate.
And Special Edition, Limited Edition & Final Edition are all the same version and are the last of the K7's
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 06:53 PM
Yep that's a K6 Final Edition.

K5 onwards were all exactly the same running gear etc, only change between the K5-K8 was the paintwork. K6 was the "official" first of the final edition models.

Looks tidy!
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 07:24 PM
looks good Col, not a fan of fairing etc. k7 paint nicer, only because i like it. search a black, thats what you had, get again. no hurry. obviously black is your first choice, wouldnt have bought dinged one otherwise. keep searching mate. words of wisdom, not really. just my thoughts. ive often thought of buying black tank/seat cowl. just as a change every so often. i could have both coloured bikes that way.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: froudy on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 07:25 PM
That's a very tidy looking FE Col :onya:
Someone has already taken the Yoshi dual outlet end can off and fitted a nice Yoshi Tri-Oval can too.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 08:13 PM
.....however you have to ask yourself if you are ready to move up to the more powerful B&W version Col.... :stir: :lol:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: froudy on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 08:38 PM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 20 December  2017, 08:13 PM
.....however you have to ask yourself if you are ready to move up to the more powerful B&W version Col.... :stir: :lol:

:boogie: :boogie: :rofl2:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Notty on Wednesday, 20 December 2017, 11:25 PM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 20 December  2017, 08:13 PM
.....however you have to ask yourself if you are ready to move up to the more powerful B&W version Col.... :stir: :lol:
may be too fast after having slow black one ?  :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 02:02 AM
You put some trainers up for me Notty, if I do end up with this B/W, I'll be sure to fit them up till I get used to it.

Rogues did the same thing, had an off, lost the Black B**ch, & brought the B/W Sedate Sister.

Grog, I will be able to turn it to the dark side, I'll have the rear black panels, bung a black tank bag on & away at the speed of dark.
The headlight & fairing are the same as what was on my one, he has the original lamp as do I from my one. I've removed the screen & fitted it all up with the std headlight just to see how it looked, changed it back.  Least the goods are there if I want to run the std headlight setup at some stage in the future. Well, I'll have 2 std setups now, won't I.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Kiwifruit on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 06:10 AM
Should be an easy fix to get it back up to speed !!
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Notty on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 07:27 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 21 December  2017, 02:02 AM
You put some trainers up for me Notty, if I do end up with this B/W, I'll be sure to fit them up till I get used to it.

Rogues did the same thing, had an off, lost the Black B**ch, & brought the B/W Sedate Sister.

Grog, I will be able to turn it to the dark side, I'll have the rear black panels, bung a black tank bag on & away at the speed of dark.
The headlight & fairing are the same as what was on my one, he has the original lamp as do I from my one. I've removed the screen & fitted it all up with the std headlight just to see how it looked, changed it back.  Least the goods are there if I want to run the std headlight setup at some stage in the future. Well, I'll have 2 std setups now, won't I.
These should help  :smile2:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Andre on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 07:33 AM
Hope all will work out well in the end. A fine almost new 14 should put a smile on your face and put your guts back into the right place.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 07:57 AM
First thing
- Don't listen to Grog on this  :smile2:

I have the super limited "Delkevic edition"K6  :grin:

Couple of points on the K6
- it's the fastest & capable of shredding tyres & scrapping pegs.
- best looking paint scheme of all models.
- most photogenic & always looks happy (as you have seen in my ride report)
- prefers to be naked ( with a big package like that, wouldn't you)

On a serious note. That looks like a really well looked after K6 with low kms to me.
No need to rush in, but you are the one who knows how many 14's come up for sale in NZ & if the price is fair. So good luck with it all.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 08:03 AM
This could be you Col
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 09:14 AM
Very close, different bag and headlight / fairing.

I looked at the N87 and the N104 ultimate. Both great specs n price. Think I'll go for the modular as a change, see if I like it. Looks like the best deal for these helmets is in Aussie.  $650 here and landed cost from Aussie just on $500
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: grog on Thursday, 21 December 2017, 07:54 PM
sorry Sweaty, your bike looks unreal to me. i do prefer my k7 colours but thats because its what i have. thinking on getting black seat cowling, either buy black tank or cover. pretty much can choose what i want then. new colour like a new bike. swap around at my choice. fr. guard is black wrap so its ok.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 22 December 2017, 02:01 AM
Deal is done, I collect the new B/W on 8th Jan.  Fly up to Tauranga & ride her back down to Kaikoura. Exactly the same my other one, it came from Tauranga too and I was holidaying in Kaikoura at the time also.
Got a ferry booking for Tuesday 9th, at 9am, but will try for the 8.30 sailing on Monday night, should get there close to time & it's a flexi ticket, there's always room for a bike & rider.  If for any reason (breakdown / flat tyre) I don't make it in time for the Monday night sailing, I'll camp in a motel / pub in Wellington for the night & roll up Tuesday morning.
If I do get on the last sailing, I'll be arriving in Picton about midnight, not going to be many places open to stay at that time of night, so that bit will be 'play by ear' as it were.  Col will be sleeping rough on the foreshore I'd say.

So, nearly sorted, just have to get the new bike home, buy the old bike back (Yes I want it back) and get a new helmet.  I'll have to be using one of the spares to go collect the new bike, haven't got time now to source a new helmet before I need it.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 22 December 2017, 05:04 AM
Cracking news Col, really pleased for you buddy - a very nice 14 you have purchased
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Friday, 22 December 2017, 06:08 AM
Great stuff Col, that's a fine looking bike you'll have  :cheers:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Notty on Friday, 22 December 2017, 06:54 AM
Well done Col - you won't regret the colour change - trainers in the post !  :clapping:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 22 December 2017, 07:08 AM
Notty, I'm very tempted to print the pic of the trainer wheels, put it on the seat n take a pic of the new bike with it's / my training wheels on! Never know, might be a good omen. Think I will. And leave the pic under the seat for the home trip, should be used to the additional power after 1000+k's.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Mick_J on Friday, 22 December 2017, 09:33 PM
Well done Col, good luck with your new (to you) bike.  :onya:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Red Biker on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 03:33 AM
Good news Col, Xmas has come early!
If you need any tips on Black paint let me know 👍👍

Cheers
Red
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: theov37 on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 03:53 AM
Can't you remove all the accessories?
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 04:30 AM
Gidday, no mate, can't remove the accessories as the bike is classed as a total loss, which means everything that makes up the total value the bike is insured for is written off.   
As Kiwifruit said in an earlier post, (or in a PM to me) his hard panniers are listed on the insurance policy, if he had a crash even without the panniers on, he'd loose them as well because they are part of the items that make up the total value.

Yep, sucks.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Ross on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 06:33 AM
Glad to see you're buying another 14 Col. Good luck with it Mate.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 07:54 AM
Quote from: Red Biker on Sunday, 24 December  2017, 03:33 AM
Good news Col, Xmas has come early!
If you need any tips on Black paint let me know 👍👍

Cheers
Red

I can give you the best tip of all on  Black painting "Don't bloody do it "
:stir: :grin:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: grog on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 08:40 PM
Col, just enjoy tomorrow. A mighty thing youre doing, setting up tents etc. truly amazing. Ive just spent two days in 35 heat cleaning up trees etc. too old for that stuff but forced myself. Lookin good except for house. Tomorrow is beer n prawns, try to upset the rellies. Enjoy your day. New bike will be a ripper.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Red Biker on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 09:49 PM
Quote from: Sweaty on Sunday, 24 December  2017, 07:54 AM
Quote from: Red Biker on Sunday, 24 December  2017, 03:33 AM
Good news Col, Xmas has come early!
If you need any tips on Black paint let me know 👍👍

Cheers

@ Sweaty
The darkness comes from within, you can't fight it once you've experienced it.
Righteousness will always rise to the top, embrace it don't fight it 🤞😜

B&W after owning a Black is a bit like trying to like beans on toast when you were expecting curry!

Red

I can give you the best tip of all on  Black painting "Don't bloody do it "
:stir: :grin:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: RickC on Sunday, 24 December 2017, 10:25 PM
Hi Col,

I missed your post about crashing your bike; I'm glad to see that you are OK and it's all sorted now.

Cheers,
Rick
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 04:33 PM
Good news!!   I got the bike back for & $1240, which to me is a bargin, knowing what's on there.  Excellent value.  Now I have loads of extras to clean, modify, paint & adjust without wrecking the new B/W if they don't turn out as I'd like.

A happy Col tonight.  Cheers all.  :cheers: :cheers:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Andre on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 06:02 PM
I am glad this is working out great for you!
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Kiwifruit on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 06:22 PM
Well done Col. You've done well, very well l'd say. Considering a sump is $300  :whistling:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 06:43 PM
Wow! Bargain if ever there was one, excellent news!  :onya:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: grog on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 07:04 PM
happy as a kiwi at an all blacks game you must be. so well done, im so happy some good has happened.  :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Notty on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 07:34 PM
Fantastic news - £650 seems a bargain !!  :smile2:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Sweaty on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 08:34 PM
Bloody beautiful news Col. So glad it worked out in your favour.
A great new bike with the best bits from your original one  :cheers:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: Mick_J on Thursday, 28 December 2017, 08:44 PM
Good news Col, as long as you are up on the deal  :onya:
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 29 December 2017, 03:39 AM
Thx guys, I'll just have to wait & see if they have indeed taken the VIN plate off it.  If it's still there, I reckon I could get it back on the road for around $1500 tops & sell it.  But will probably keep it as a donor, as KF says, worth more than that in just parts.
Title: Re: Gutted!
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 29 December 2017, 09:25 AM
I think you could easily retrieve your money and then some Col if you broke it for parts. But handy if the VIN plate is still on her as then you would have 2......  :onya: