Is there any chance they'll let you buy the bike back as a salvaged vehicle for a lot less money, so you can use your old parts that are good, and Big-Bore your old motor. I have a lot of insurance company experience escpecially buying cars back from them.vrodfan said:Well, it finally happened. I got in my first accident last night and laid down my 03 V-Rod. It wasn't my fault, but who cares right? The bottom line is the bike went down.
Figures that it would happen after I finally finished "customizing" it with all the accessories (i.e. chrome, exhaust, etc etc etc) to make it just how I wanted it.
The important thing is that I'm okay (aside from some road rash and bruises), but the bike is another story. I haven't gotten a good look at it yet because it's at the tow yard. But I'm not optimistic. I know that some parts on the left side (i.e. foot pegs, gear shifter, etc) completely snapped off, and other parts on the same side practically disintegrated from sliding along the rough asphalt.
The insurance adjuster already took a look at it, but couldn’t decide if it was a “total loss” or if it was repairable. (Didn’t sound like he had any experience inspecting a V-Rod.) He said a piece of the frame was actually ground down to nothing, which would normally make a bike a total loss. However, on this bike he said it looks like there was a place on the frame that could be cut away or something like that to drop the engine, which may mean that the frame can be fixed and the bike repaired.
In any event, he’s going to take the bike to a local dealer to have them look it over and (I think) give an estimate on what it would take to repair it. He said as a general rule of thumb they will pay up to 80% of the bike’s value to get it repaired. Since this bike is so expensive (with the base price and everything I’ve added on), I can’t see the repairs costing over 80% of the bikes value. But that’s just a guess.
My concern is that I don’t think I want this bike back. Even if they “repair” it, it will never be the same. And I don’t know if I would feel safe riding it because who knows if they could have missed something that will later break while I’m on it.
I’d like to just get paid for it and go buy another one and “start over” so to speak. I’ve never been in an accident before so I don’t know how this is going to go. I meet with the dealer and the adjuster next week. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this matter?
Would you guys rather have your old bike repaired, or just have it totaled out so you could get a new one? And does anyone know if I have any say in the matter? For instance, can I refuse to take my old bike back and demand a new one since my old one can never truly be repaired to its original, pre-crash condition?
Hopefully if they do decide to total it I’ll be able to find another 03 model. I really like the silver and black anniversary edition color/design. I guess we’ll see what happens. It’s all up in the air at this point.
Laid my bike down - need some advice
Well, it finally happened. I got in my first accident last night and laid down my 03 V-Rod. It wasn't my fault, but who cares right? The bottom line is the bike went down.
Figures that it would happen after I finally finished "customizing" it with all the accessories (i.e. chrome, exhaust, etc etc etc) to make it just how I wanted it.
The important thing is that I'm okay (aside from some road rash and bruises), but the bike is another story. I haven't gotten a good look at it yet because it's at the tow yard. But I'm not optimistic. I know that some parts on the left side (i.e. foot pegs, gear shifter, etc) completely snapped off, and other parts on the same side practically disintegrated from sliding along the rough asphalt.
The insurance adjuster already took a look at it, but couldn’t decide if it was a “total loss” or if it was repairable. (Didn’t sound like he had any experience inspecting a V-Rod.) He said a piece of the frame was actually ground down to nothing, which would normally make a bike a total loss. However, on this bike he said it looks like there was a place on the frame that could be cut away or something like that to drop the engine, which may mean that the frame can be fixed and the bike repaired.
In any event, he’s going to take the bike to a local dealer to have them look it over and (I think) give an estimate on what it would take to repair it. He said as a general rule of thumb they will pay up to 80% of the bike’s value to get it repaired. Since this bike is so expensive (with the base price and everything I’ve added on), I can’t see the repairs costing over 80% of the bikes value. But that’s just a guess.
My concern is that I don’t think I want this bike back. Even if they “repair” it, it will never be the same. And I don’t know if I would feel safe riding it because who knows if they could have missed something that will later break while I’m on it.
I’d like to just get paid for it and go buy another one and “start over” so to speak. I’ve never been in an accident before so I don’t know how this is going to go. I meet with the dealer and the adjuster next week. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this matter?
Would you guys rather have your old bike repaired, or just have it totaled out so you could get a new one? And does anyone know if I have any say in the matter? For instance, can I refuse to take my old bike back and demand a new one since my old one can never truly be repaired to its original, pre-crash condition?
Hopefully if they do decide to total it I’ll be able to find another 03 model. I really like the silver and black anniversary edition color/design. I guess we’ll see what happens. It’s all up in the air at this point.
Figures that it would happen after I finally finished "customizing" it with all the accessories (i.e. chrome, exhaust, etc etc etc) to make it just how I wanted it.
The important thing is that I'm okay (aside from some road rash and bruises), but the bike is another story. I haven't gotten a good look at it yet because it's at the tow yard. But I'm not optimistic. I know that some parts on the left side (i.e. foot pegs, gear shifter, etc) completely snapped off, and other parts on the same side practically disintegrated from sliding along the rough asphalt.
The insurance adjuster already took a look at it, but couldn’t decide if it was a “total loss” or if it was repairable. (Didn’t sound like he had any experience inspecting a V-Rod.) He said a piece of the frame was actually ground down to nothing, which would normally make a bike a total loss. However, on this bike he said it looks like there was a place on the frame that could be cut away or something like that to drop the engine, which may mean that the frame can be fixed and the bike repaired.
In any event, he’s going to take the bike to a local dealer to have them look it over and (I think) give an estimate on what it would take to repair it. He said as a general rule of thumb they will pay up to 80% of the bike’s value to get it repaired. Since this bike is so expensive (with the base price and everything I’ve added on), I can’t see the repairs costing over 80% of the bikes value. But that’s just a guess.
My concern is that I don’t think I want this bike back. Even if they “repair” it, it will never be the same. And I don’t know if I would feel safe riding it because who knows if they could have missed something that will later break while I’m on it.
I’d like to just get paid for it and go buy another one and “start over” so to speak. I’ve never been in an accident before so I don’t know how this is going to go. I meet with the dealer and the adjuster next week. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this matter?
Would you guys rather have your old bike repaired, or just have it totaled out so you could get a new one? And does anyone know if I have any say in the matter? For instance, can I refuse to take my old bike back and demand a new one since my old one can never truly be repaired to its original, pre-crash condition?
Hopefully if they do decide to total it I’ll be able to find another 03 model. I really like the silver and black anniversary edition color/design. I guess we’ll see what happens. It’s all up in the air at this point.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Is there any chance they'll let you buy the bike back as a salvaged vehicle for a lot less money, so you can use your old parts that are good, and Big-Bore your old motor. I have a lot of insurance company experience escpecially buying cars back from them.vrodfan said:
The insurance company is probably going to repair the bike. they usually will not replace the bike unless it is completely destroyed. you wont be able to refuse to take the bike back.the insurance company is going to screw you. they dont care about hidden damage or anything like that. you are stuck with it.it is not going to be good news but you are pretty much stuck with the bike. it will be repaired and all the parts replaced and you wont even be able to tell it was ever in an accident. I would get it repaired and ride on. i have dealt with this before. call me at 336-407-6278. I have first hand knowledge of this and what you should do.
How about fix it and throw it in a ditch somewhere. They have to pay for it then.Todd T. Marcus said:The insurance company is probably going to repair the bike. they usually will not replace the bike unless it is completely destroyed. you wont be able to refuse to take the bike back.the insurance company is going to screw you. they dont care about hidden damage or anything like that. you are stuck with it.it is not going to be good news but you are pretty much stuck with the bike. it will be repaired and all the parts replaced and you wont even be able to tell it was ever in an accident. I would get it repaired and ride on. i have dealt with this before. call me at 336-407-6278. I have first hand knowledge of this and what you should do.
You bike will probably be repairable, the lower frame rails are supposed to be replacable, that's what the insurance guy was refering too I'm sure.
If your not happy with the work done on it, just don't accept it untill you are.
Main thing is your OK.
If your not happy with the work done on it, just don't accept it untill you are.
Main thing is your OK.
Bikes are different than cars, there's not as many places for hidden damage and if it takes a total frame replacement (not that expensive on a bike) the chances of there being any lasting effects are minimal. Just make sure they check everything and involve the insurance adjuster as they dissasemble the bike in case they find more damage as they are going along. DO NOT sign anything until the bike is repaired to your satisfaction. BTW, most decent motorcycle policies cover $1000 of add on accessories with the basic policy and you can add up to $5000 of additional coverage fairly cheap. For those who have customized you might want to take a look at your policies and talk to your agents. Cheap insurance can quickly be a "You get what you pay for" proposition.
vrodfan, Glad to here that you are doing fine. Get the bike replace properly and it will be just as if no accident occurred
Sorry to hear of your misfortune but, as you said the important thing is your ok. Make it clear at your meeting that you want the bike either repaired as it was before, perfect, or paid off. Your not asking for too much, thats what the insurance is for and you pay premiums, just restore it as it was, or total it. If its repaired properly, I would have no qualms with it. Anything damaged, every part can be removed, replaced, repaired and returned to original. If they give you value crap about your accessories, offer to remove them and reinstall originals or something. Just try to work with them and cover your ass, as most insurance companies are trying to minimize their loss/payoff.
Thanks for all the replies so far. The information is really helpful. As a side note, the bike is paid off already so if they do "total it" (which from reading these posts it doesn't sound like they're going to do), I'd just like to get enough to buy another one of the same bike. That only seems fair. It couldn't have depreciated too much. It was only 8 months old and in perfect condition. And I do have receipts for all my "add ons", so I hope that helps prove their costs to the adjuster.
I think you will discover that you will have lost several thousand $$ in the process. The insurance is typically 80% of the replacement cost. I'd look to fix it up.
Tell your dealer when they look at it, If they make the estimate high enough
to total it, you will buy a New Bike from them.
Did You go to the hospital? you said your bruised and rashed up, maybe your knee and/or back is hurting today........ :sinister: :sinister: :sinister:
Was it a Hit and run?
Your Mistake? Act of God (Wet Pavment, wind etc..)
to total it, you will buy a New Bike from them.
Did You go to the hospital? you said your bruised and rashed up, maybe your knee and/or back is hurting today........ :sinister: :sinister: :sinister:
Was it a Hit and run?
Your Mistake? Act of God (Wet Pavment, wind etc..)
vrodfan,
However it turns out good or bad, just to put it in perspective, you can always get another rod or fix this one, but you cannot get another vrodfan, so you're already ahead. May sound rather corny but things could be a hell of a lot worse......
However it turns out good or bad, just to put it in perspective, you can always get another rod or fix this one, but you cannot get another vrodfan, so you're already ahead. May sound rather corny but things could be a hell of a lot worse......
If You were Not Sighted get a Lawyer!Sue Them or your uninsured Motorist Policy for any difference thats not covered.I have a stated Value Policies on my Bikes To cover All the Extras! :2cents:
diminished value. Thats what a car company covers in its insurance, check the verbage of your policy for this. DH
Kaz,
Thats what I was trying to Hint at in My Post :thumb:
Thats what I was trying to Hint at in My Post :thumb:
That's exactly how I'm looking at it. Obviously I'm not happy about my bike being wrecked, but it could have been a LOT worse. I am truly thankful that it wasn't.polizzio said:vrodfan,
However it turns out good or bad, just to put it in perspective, you can always get another rod or fix this one, but you cannot get another vrodfan, so you're already ahead. May sound rather corny but things could be a hell of a lot worse......
I wasn't cited in the accident because I wasn't at fault. However, unfortunately I still can't sue the other guy (who was at fault) because he was basically a homeless bum. Nothing to sue him for.Super Kaz said:If You were Not Sighted get a Lawyer!Sue Them or your uninsured Motorist Policy for any difference thats not covered.I have a stated Value Policies on my Bikes To cover All the Extras! :2cents:
vrodfan. My v and me went down 4-22 and am currently experiencing the same situation. My insurance policy covers 12K in accessories. I didn't even know it until i read through all the fine print. The only way it's gettin totaled is if it caught fire. I'm having the same concerns about the integrity of the bike after the fix. I think we'll just have to suck it up. Suckes doesn't it.
What we need is rental insurance so we can rent a buke in the meantime. Similar to car insurance.
What we need is rental insurance so we can rent a buke in the meantime. Similar to car insurance.
THEN YOU GO AFTER YOUR UNINSURED MOTORIST POLICY!No Biggie Thats what it there for.By the way My Ex"#1Wife, Older Woman"-Owened a FEW INSURANCE AGENCIES! :twisted: SHE taught me allot ! :diablo:
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
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