Jiro

Well of course you can't get your vehicle back once you get a claim check. You sign the paper stating that insurance company is an owner of your vehicle so why would you want to try to argue with them to get it back? They BOUGHT your vehicle and PAID you with a claim check.

You don't go to store to refund for your damaged product and keep the damaged product. That doesn't make any sense.

now that's a different story. If your car is rebuilt with new engine, you can show your receipt of your new engine to insurance company and work it out from there. You will most likely get a value below the price that you bought it for and it makes sense that way. But hey... if you're that concerned, you can always get a better insurance coverage that will pay you a fair good deal in case of accident.

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Deafness

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SilentRider

Wow, glad youre ok and still riding hard! i wish i could ride right now but the injuries are a bitch. just the waiting game. sigh

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SilentRider

Thats why once the insurance makes the determination the bike is going to be fixed, or totaled, and offer settlement for bike and inuries. if it seems low balling, i dont have to sign anything. just simply retain an attorney and let them get a better fair settlement.

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SilentRider

i agree, if you ride in a city with many cars, yep it will keep you on your toes with many situations if you dont pay attention and react yep can get hurt fast. glad you have avoided em all so far . Usually im on my toes but this one got me darn. keep riding dawg

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Jiro

you are correct that you don't have to accept any shitty deal.

but in many cases - hiring an attorney does not make sense because of $$$$ legal costs involved unless your costs including medical expense, "hardship", etc. are very high and they're refusing to pay.

but as for compensation, you can argue that they're low-balling you and start from there but I don't think they would stoop that low though. they know it would leads to expensive headache on their part so it's just simpler and quicker for them to pay you a good price, shake hands on it, and that's it.

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diehardbiker

Not the one I witness how it was processed. My ex roomate fought with Insurance company, he spent 3,000 dollars on engine replacement 3 months later totaled, only got check of 800 dollars, and had to give up that car. He fought hard and lost. Insurance companies does not care if you got brand new whatever, even with receipts.

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J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all"

"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny."
Thomas Jefferson (1778)

Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

diehardbiker

It would be very difficult, because over years Insurance lobbied for several laws in THEIR favor not customers. Customers didn't lobby anything, that is the problem.

__________________
J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all"

"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny."
Thomas Jefferson (1778)

Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

diehardbiker

Right now, I am not sure. I still have bike downstairs in garage. I now have few issues with my spine, will have surgery soon. Been thinking of "Retiring" the hard riding. I am at the point where my bone is start to get brittle and one mistake can end my life. That time where I had accident and rode the next day was my hey day youth and I sure missed these days.

__________________
J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all"

"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny."
Thomas Jefferson (1778)

Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

Jiro

I'm sorry to hear that your friend only got $800 but it's a typical formula that insurance companies use for calculating cash value that would sell for at the time of accident and I guess they calculated that your friend's engine would sell for $800 three months later.

I want to ask for clarification purpose - since your friend spent $3,000 on engine replacement... was $3,000 an actual cost of engine or was it engine + labor fee + etc?

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diehardbiker

Everything, KBB shows worth 800 dollars something. Insurance companies simply follow this method. Refused to go other method, even if shown receipt of actuarial cost.

That is why NEVER NEVER even NEVER do any repairs or replace that exceed the value of vehicle, my ex roommate ignored my advise against replacing the engine. Now he knows the truth and regrets.

__________________
J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all"

"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny."
Thomas Jefferson (1778)

Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

Jiro

ah.... there you go. Insurance company didn't screw him. It wasn't because insurance company was being greedy and ignorant either.

It's just the way it is and if KBB says the engine was worth $800... then that's too bad. Your friend took a risk and he had to accept it. That's why if you want to be protected by this, then you need to have it insured yourself so that you will get compensated nearly 100% - just like optional insurance fee for cellphone or computer.

On related note to this thread - in motorcycle situation, insurance company does pay for your aftermarket products and gear if they got damaged in accident but they're not going to pay for labor fee that you paid for before. That's silly.

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Reba

It depends on the insurance company and adjuster.

When my Cherokee was totaled this year, I got about $1,000 above KBB's best number, without any begging or cajoling. I was able to remove all my personal stuff and anything that didn't effect the value of the Jeep.

Property damage value isn't very negotiable. The adjusters pretty much follow the book guidelines. Some will try to give the benefit of the doubt as much as possible.

Personal injury is another matter.

That requires a lawyer to get the most for you. A good personal injury lawyer:

1. Specializes in personal injury cases.

2. Has a lot of experience.

3. Will fight aggressively for you but won't make any false or exaggerated promises about a settlement.

4. Will not encourage you to lie about your pain or injuries but will not let anything be ignored either.

5. Will make all the medical arrangements for you, including no medical bills until the claim is settled.

6. Will totally be up front with you about his commission, which is usually 1/3 of the settlement. That seems like a lot but they usually get you more than you would have received without him. Also, that ensures that you get all the medical/therapy care that you need.

7. Will not charge you any money up front, or if they lose the case.

The above are from my personal experiences.


You have to be patient if you want the maximum settlement.

Pain and suffering is usually determined by taking the medical bills and multiplying times two.

SilentRider

Hey guys, I finally got my police report. It shows the other driver caused the accident and is in violation of 21801a VC
This should make it easier with dealing with the ins.
Appreciate all your comments abt how to handle it.
Ride on dudes!

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purplecatty

If your motorcycle are over 1,000 lbs. It'll cream the door. My Suzuki Volusia is 1,025lbs and it's rather heavy bike. I've watched youtube of guy ran into deer while on helmetcam. Deer literally split in half when it T-boned at deer. The rider wasn't injured at all but bloodied from deer's blood splatter.

Catty

Jiro

what's the violation of 21801a VC?

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SilentRider

Yep, the bike went into the car deep. It looked totaled to me. My bike was in the 800 lbs category .. I can imagine what a 1000 bike would do!

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SilentRider

When i Googled up that violation it had to do with making a left or u turn safely and giving right of way to opposite direction drivers.

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SilentRider

The guy who hit me, he was only 19. And was driving a 2012 Honda accord! We bikers gotta watch out for those inexperienced drivers!

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SilentRider

Found out today that the motorcycle has been declared "totaled " and will get Kelly book value for it. Hmmm what will I buy next...decisions decisions... can't wait to recover. And go back riding.

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SilentRider

Hey bikers, im not sure if I should take me total loss payment on the bike and look for a used bike on Craigslist. Or local newspaper sales.. or if I should use the money as a down payment. On.a new bike and get the rate payments low...hmmmm decisions decisions

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Reba

That depends on your own financial situation. Personally, I prefer used vehicles and bikes. When my Jeep was totaled last year, I was able to buy another used Cherokee with my insurance money. It was five years newer than the wrecked one, and had more features. So, I got a "new" Jeep, and had no monthly payments to make.

TCS bought his bike new for cash but it wasn't full price because it was the previous model year.

If you're very mechanically savvy about bikes, or you have a mechanic friend or family member accompanying you, a used bike should be a reliable purchase.

Jiro

I bought my bike from Craigslist. I'm the 3rd owner. negotiated it down to $5,500. it comes with risk - I had to spend quite a bit of money to fix it up and tweak it.

and of course.... if you get a brand new bike - it comes with peace of mind

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Reba

I found my Jeep on Craig's List.

TCS found his work van on eBay.

SIL found his Denali on CarMax.

I know those aren't motorcycles but it's just an example that shows there are some good deals online. It just takes some careful research.

SilentRider

Good input from ya all. While still in physical thearpy, ill keep looking in the new posts in ad and Craigslist and look at what dealers are doing with 2011bikes. See what deal culd come out. Thanks for the feedback. Ill look into em all for sure.

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SilentRider

Update: after weeks of searching and dealership hopping, trying out bikes etc. I finally found a new bike that I will use for commute. Its a z750 Kawasaki. Man this baby has fuel injection and maneuvers very easily, throttle is very responsive. I love it. Anybody try this bike? Its z1000's baby brother. Ride on baby!

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soutthpaw

I used to have a ST1100 too. i think its one of the best bikes ever made. Would like to get a ST1300 some day

SilentRider

Oh yeah the 1300 are very nice too!
I do miss the st1100. But so far have been enjoying the z750s. Also bought the klr650 so I could have a dual bike. Now im switching off btwn both bikes like switching off with shoes. He he anybody have any experience with the klr's?

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