Insurance excess payments after crash

[Anonymous]

#4032

My good lady wife got knocked off her Honda on Monday (Onewa road) and while she got away with just a few bruises, her bike will need some work. She's insured but there's an excess. The scumbag who hit her and then drove off, handed himself in later that day. I was wondering, if the scumbag doesn't have insurance, will my wife's insurance company pursue him for the excess? Has this happened to anyone out there?Also a big thank you to everyone who helped her out with getting the scumbags plate and offering to be witnesses.

[Anonymous]

#16705

If you (her) are not at fault, then Yes, you do not have to pay the excess, and it's not recorded on your record.However, there is a bunch of caveats. Found out recently my boss (car related) had 2 incidents recorded, neither his fault and he provided all details he could. They are still against his record (affecting his premium) because the cases haven't been "closed", ie, the insurance company getting the money from the other party. Thought that was pretty rich...Ask your company and see what they say.You've missed an important part too... which company?

[Richard Kuysten]

#16706

We had the bad experience of being hit (in the car) by an uninsured party.  My company (John Baker) put a specialist on to it but the driver didn't own the car and the owner (his daughter) of course had no insurance.  They were all on a benefit in Northland and owed heaps in fines etc.  Not worth the trouble so it cost us the $200 excess.  Shit happens.Put your insurance people on to it and if they are any good they'll try but often these parties are just scumbags who no money, no morals and no brains.  Good luck.

[Anonymous]

#16707

Thanks for the feedback, she (we) is insured with kiwi bike in New Plymouth. I've been with them for a few years now but have had no reason to call on their services, so we'll see what they're like 'in action'….

[Anonymous]

#16708

Kiwibike is good, but remember they're brokers, so you're insured with someone else through them.I'm with them, no problem at all with them (and I've had one claim).

[Anonymous]

#16709

Dont know about motor cycle insurance but AA insured my vehicle and after being hit on Kapiti Road by a commercial vehicle whose owner was most uncoperative, AA pursued him through the Small Claims Court. The clown made it easy for me , he didnt turn up to the court hearing and the judge was justifably  annoyed .. result was clown had to pay excess, and all repair costs, which AA took responsibilty for recovering.If any one has info on a company that insures motor bikes and is "on to it" let us all know.Unfortunately AA dont get involved with motor bike insurance.

[Richard Kuysten]

#16710

I've been with John Baker for nearly 20 years and with only a couple of claims on the bike and one on the car.  Totally professional and never a moments hesitation paying up.  Gives a good rate for three bikes and looks after insurance if my son want's to borrow one of them for the occasional weekend away, just give them a call and they cover him at no extra cost.  He's got an ad in the newsletter.

[Dave Ross]

#16711

I've shifted to Classic Cover, it was over $300 cheaper than JB.  Never had a claim on my bike insurance.

[Richard Kuysten]

#16712

Doesn't mean much unless we know figures Alex.  I'm talking $800 to insure three bikes worth a total of $31000 with JB.  I should be interested if your company could drop $300 off that so perhaps I should give them a call.

[Dave Ross]

#16713

Of course the figures mean something, JB was $300 more expensive than Classic Cover, for the same insurance. I can't help it that you are reading something else into it.  I also have 3 bikes insured, to a similar value and they wanted $1400 from me. So it looks like you are still ahead with JB, maybe you have been getting a pensioner discount, or perhaps it's to with the fact that we have two riders and they are making the sensible rider pay more.  Like I've said, we've never claimed on bike insurance.

[Anonymous]

#16714

I dunno that insurance generally is the BIG DARK NASTY it used to be back in the day. Companies seem quite reasonable to deal with now, so long as you are not having them on.We had paid a helluva lot of premiums over the years, and never made a claim on any of our insurances.Then, in the space of about five years we have had three bikes/scooters written off (two accidents, one stolen), one more scooter accident and a household burglary, and all the insurers involved have been good to deal with, and all still insure us.  The only hiccup was with JBI, where one crowd (Aon, Star, JB, any of the alphabet soups) tell you a specific document is needed to support your claim (wanted by another of the alphabet soups), but they can't tell you how to pry it out of the Police.So, while I am probably paying a bit more than I might have to if I did more shopping around (especially as AMI, or what's left of it post Ch-ch is one of our insurers) I am confident of the treatment I will get from all three insurers.  How do you value peace of mind?And if anybody is curious, Swann is our third insurer - not the cheapest, but just as pleasant and reliable to deal with, in our experience.

[Richard Kuysten]

#16715

OK Alex, just thought some figures might clarify things a little.

[Ron McFadzien]

#16716

Doesn't mean much unless we know figures Alex.  I'm talking $800 to insure three bikes worth a total of $31000 with JB.  I should be interested if your company could drop $300 off that so perhaps I should give them a call.

Malcolm dont right one of those bikes off you will end up paying more in premiums for 2 bikes than you did for 3. I dont think I like this policy. I would be interested to know if anyone with multiple bikes on seperate policies has had a right off does it affect the other policies and by what amount.boGSer

[Richard Kuysten]

#16717

Hi Gerrard, they are not on separate policies.  All three on one with a standard excess of $300.  There are discounts for being over 60 and for being the sole rider although I don't know what these amount to.  It also shows excess' for an unspecified rider and under 30 years old riders although I don't quite know how this ties in with the sole rider discount.  My son Andrew is specified as being able to ride the Cruiser (he loves it) with an excess of $750 which he understands he will have to pay – ha ha 😉 Bikes have to be garaged when at home and they are insured for track days providing I inform JB prior to riding.  This policy is under the BMWOR scheme and North Island rates apply.  Our yellow car is insured with them  also but under a different policy.  When we were hit in Kerikeri they put the claim in the hands of a debt collector but after many months they gave up with no chance of getting anything back so it cost us $200.  I've claimed twice, many years ago after a commuting dispute in Auckland.  Last time after my off on the Molesworth heading to the Twyzel Rally  >:( but that's why I have insurance eh.  *** Sorry Gerrard I realize now that you understand they are on one and your point is if they were on separate policies they may not be affected by claims on others?  Hopefully I won't be writing off any of them.

[Anonymous]

#16718

Hi again,  The company we are dealing with (via Kiwibike), are Star Insurance and they've been pretty prompt and accommodating.  Lots of cosmetic damage meant they originally wanted to write it off.However, it was a real nice bike and not easy to get another, so we're trading off to get the repairs cost down to a point where we save the bike. The only real damage was to the forks and handlebars. The guy we're dealing with has been very patient despite us mucking him about, (cheers Dallas).No-one's mentioned the excess yet! I reckon we're in the clear...

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