Insurance Claims

[Betty]

OK so you probably know what this is about ... but it is all quite new to us so I am after a bit on info on how these things work.

If you don't know, a certain little 620 has sustained what we think is only cosmetic damage ... it is insured with QBE. We still haven't decided whether to pursue the insurance angle or not.

I have spoken to QBE and they are very particular about who they authorise to do the work, I mentioned Desmo Clinic, Flywheels and D Moto ... none of which are authorised. They offered up Big's mates at Northside instead so I am wondering what, exactly, are they being fussy about?

Anybody have any advice on how to proceed?

Thanks

[heatherp]

How much cosmetic damage? Depending on what excess you have it may not be worth claiming if it will increase your premiums and/or damage any no claim bonus.

And you can use your chosen repairer.

I paid $300 to fix damage on mine after a minor off. (bent bars, indicator and foot gear lever)

[dragonworld.]

Hey Betty, first up, is the 620's rider ok??

And I guess the first thing to consider is the cost of repairs and doing it yourself vs the cost of the excess (and maybe potential loss of rating and/or increase in premium? )

Dunno 'bout the "authorised repairer" thing??  Being a basically cynical bastard the "Authorised" thing smacks of "you scratch my arse and I'll scratch yours" situation. Maybe Northside gaurantee the cheapest quotes for QBE?? Just maybe??

I guess you have to dance to the tune of the Insurance company that you are with?? Anybody know if that is the case or, like the Warranty vs Authorised/qualified mechanic issue, is it just the insurance industry flexing its "Little Weiner"?

[mage]

I had an off on a speed bump, the fairing caught underneath, and basically destroyed itself, (previous bike) and was on a higher rating for 3 yrs so yes check before you claim.  If only minor damage probably not worth it.

[Betty]

How much cosmetic damage? Depending on what excess you have it may not be worth claiming if it will increase your premiums and/or damage any no claim bonus.

Its lots of little things ... biggest being the tank ding. But that is why we are still weighing up our options. Apparently you are allowed 1 claim p.a. without an effect on your no claim bonus ... premium off course will be something different regardless of what they may say. She still has a long way to go before her premiums are as high as mine though.

Replaced helmet will probably swing it anyway.

Hey Betty, first up, is the 620's rider ok??

Emotionally, she is getting there ... nobody wants to see their children lying by the side of the road in a pile of gravel. Physically I think she is starting to feel it now ... cheeky bugger still outrode me on the way home though.

And I guess the first thing to consider is the cost of repairs and doing it yourself vs the cost of the excess (and maybe potential loss of rating and/or increase in premium? )

Refer above.

Dunno 'bout the "authorised repairer" thing??   Being a basically cynical bastard the "Authorised" thing smacks of "you scratch my arse and I'll scratch yours" situation. Maybe Northside gaurantee the cheapest quotes for QBE?? Just maybe??

I guess you have to dance to the tune of the Insurance company that you are with?? Anybody know if that is the case or, like the Warranty vs Authorised/qualified mechanic issue, is it just the insurance industry flexing its "Little Weiner"?

They said any chosen workshop would need to be approved by them (I can live with that) I was just wondering about the hoops.

The only other brand that they are 'particular' about is H-D, so I am sure it has something to do with a much loved importer of motorcycles.

One issue is distance ... whether 'authorised' or trusted we have a fair way to go, so I just want to make sure things will be right when we get there.

[Betty]

Oh yeah and I should note that I don't intend to list the damage (as I see it) on a public forum until we know where we are heading.

Lets face it, I don't know what I am talking about so I at least one somebody that comes recommended (by you lot) to have a look at things to make sure everything is OK.

[monstermick58]

Good to hear that everyone is OK, as I have mentioned in another post my bike was repaired by 'Collide-ascope' apparently bike repairs is the primary bussiness, and they are pretty good at what they do, when they quoted my bike they had to requote as they found more damage and had to make sure that the frame was straight.

If you go down the road of self repair make sure that you look at anything that could have been damaged, so tell us, what are you saving your insurance for ? 







                                        Mmick

[dragonworld.]

And if you go down the road ('scuse the terminology?  ) of going with the insurance , dont forget to put in a claim for any damaged personal gear!!                               

[ducmeister]

Had a moment I'd like to forget in the car once.  Repair quotes received were $900, excess $500, and total cost to me once extra premiums etc were taken into account was $1100 if I claimed.  I just coughed up the dough.  Best to do your sums carefully.

[ozducati]

what happens is this.. QBE use Ducati / Frasers as a preferred repairer , they in turn sell QBE insurance (or whoever) and obviously don't do it for nothing, no doubt getting paid a handsome commission. and then to keep the back scratching going round NFI/Ducati give them preferred /trade prices on parts for repair work.. so they're all one big happy family... i imagine it's not only Ducati but would think it goes on a lot.. makes sense, as they save on parts costs, and have insurance sold for them by the dealers..

[wayne800]

As you may know I had an off last year & had cause to rely on QBE. I've no doubt that Oz is correct - by my guess they got around 20% discount on my repair. Do I care? well not really if I get a share in the cost savings. Overall, it was the best customer service experience I've had. Without boring you with the details: they were/are cheap; my bike & gear were fixed beyond what I expected; they chased down the other driver & refunded my excess & they called me every couple of days to let me know what was happening. They also said if they couldn't get the other party to admit fault then it wouldn't affect my no claim bonus although I would have to pay the excess.

I'm no lawyer but have had to deal with them a lot lately on Trade Practices matters. Whether QBE have the legal right to force you to use a limited range of repairs is probably tricky particularly when they are paying the bill. Is it such a big deal to have to take Jukie to one of their repairers? You say the damage is cosmetic - surely any of the regular Ducati dealers can handle that. If it's a problem of convenience then that's another matter. You could ask the ACCC where you stand and, depending on the answer, take QBE on. In the end however, I would think it easier to roll over, truck the bike to wherever & get it fixed as soon as possible. When that's done, the pain goes away. Just my opinion of course.

[loony888]

if you buy insurance at a dealer when you sign up for a bike 20% of what you pay goes in commission to the bike dealer, they're pretty tight bike shops and insurance companies. if you're seriously contemplating repairing it yourself or avoiding a claim get a quote from another shop, not the "authorised" shop because they may weight the quote if they think they can get you to claim. they might quote to replace everything with the slightest mark on it to fatten their bottom line but i'd wager a weeks pay that a lot of the parts quoted never see the light of day on your bike! If you claim, get the quote and ask for the parts invoice before you sign for your bike to ensure what was quoted has been done, if it hasn't pursue it with your insurer, and don't sign for it unless you are completely satisfied everything is done and done right, your signature is your acceptance of the job.
   You may be able to fix the bike without using your insurance but mick is probably right when asking what are you saving your insurance for? you may find you're cutting off your nose despite your face, especially when you take dragonworld's reminder to claim your gear, julies suit and helmet would cost a packet to replace, just be sure her personal gear doesn't add to the claims write off percentage.
I'm not against any particular insurance company or bike shop, but i am cynical and thus very wary of them all.
paul.

[Betty]

Wayne I think the biggest fear is cut corners, there is plenty of evidence of that from the dealers. Also the fact that many of the parts required are not from the 'dealer network' may cause some friction ... and cut their margins.

Unfortunately there is nobody convenient, our best option on the coast (still about 45 minutes away) now refuse to do insurance work. We certainly don't want to be making multiple visits.

Loony, I don't think that we will be claiming the leathers as we need to send them to Melbourne for assessment ... they have done such a good job that I can imagine what that assessment would be so it could be a whole lot of hassle for nothing. Plus they are not the easiest things to replace.

[brad black]

when we did repair quotes at my previous employer we quoted at retail price and that's what the insurer pays.  there was no discount of any sort asked or given.

one assessor down here always cut back our quoted paint repairs and labour times because he had to justify his assessing fee, but that was life with him.

i believe ducati melb were the only qbe approved place for ducati repairs in melbourne, with mpr doing all the paint work.  not sure what happens now.  maybe qbe are getting like that.  i've done one job for insuremyride, which is a shannons offshoot, and racv.  they didn't care who did it, as long as it was a business.

it's certainly wasn't the conspiracy people are talking about.  it does have to do with who sells insurance.  although the deal was that you didn't get paid for quoting - that was included in the commision.  and it was pretty easy to spend 3 hours on a big quote.  if some other company (like aami) tried to write something off or take it elsewhere i always made them pay for the quote.  they'd say "we don't pay for quotes" and i'd say "well, it stays until someone does" and then they'd send someone in to make a pissy scene about it.  like i gave a rat's arse.

one thing about insurance repairs - it has to be done back to how it was before.  the upshot of that is that if you do it yourself and then have another crash that is insurance, any outstanding damage of the first one not repaired and obvious may lead to you being charged double excess (effectively two claims) or some stuff being knocked back.  you need to be careful, as i've seen that happen.

non genuine parts are a pita too.  if you have stuff you've bought take in the receipts so the repairer knows where they came from.  nothing like spending 4 or 5 hours trying to track down a replacement billet mirror from who knows where.  it can cost a huge amount of time with stuff like that, which becomes lost money for the repairer.  you can help them there by sourcing stuff yourself if need be.  stuff from o/s is worse, as any shop in the usa or europe is going to sell to the repairer for the same price as selling to you.  no margin makes no happy.

i've done plenty of quotes for people over the years who have insisted on all new parts being used to (newish bikes) and then ended up with a quote at or above bike cost.  so they then have to compromise or lose it.  and sometimes if the assessor thought it'd auction well they'd come, look, write it off then load it up and take it away without telling the owner.  we'd get a call a few days later and we'd say "haven't they contacted you, they took it away".  which often led to lots of yelling, usually at us.  but we had no right to hold the bike.  once you lodge a claim the bike effectively belongs to the insurance company.  it's very hard to unlodge it.

sorry, think i started rambling.

[goldFiSh]

all good info Brad. nice to hear it from a differing perspective..