Originally Posted by
CB HI
Sorry you got hit. I have had good success dealing with insurance companies on my own. As you have already found out, the adjuster probably will not know much about bicycles. The adjuster may lie, so be ready to call his BS for what it is.
Claim everything that had even a little bit of damage. Claim your helmet even if there is no visible damage to it. If the adjuster gives you BS on this, just look him straight in the eye and say “You and I both know that every helmet manufacturer tells people that helmets are no longer safe to use once they have been in an accident.”
Since your bike is less than a year old, do not accept any depreciation on the value of the bike. If it had no previous damage, you deserve a NEW bike. Demand to be made hole - full replacement cost at current market price for your bicycle. Even if you plan on assembling the bike yourself, include what the shop would charge to assemble. Include taxes.
If your bike is your primary transportation, rent a bike to use until you have your new bike in hand. Let the adjuster know that the longer it takes for them to pay off, the more it will cost them in rental charges. It gives you a ride and helps push them to settle sooner. You can also contract with a friend for a rental of the friends bike at the same rate a shop would charge.
Include all medical cost and lost work time. Do not accept payment (as in cashing a check or signing a release form for medical) until you have a settlement for property damages.
If all else fails, take the driver to small claims court.
Good luck and enjoy your new bike.
I wish it were so simple and cut and dried. The ins co is holding their line at this point on paying ACV since in their view, the bike is totaled. The bike is not my primary transportation. Neither are there bikes for rental in my area either. While I can obtain a loaner bike from a friend, they will not accept payment for liability reasons.
So while all of the above sounds proper and appropriate (at least, from my perspective), it does not appear to reflect the actuality of the experience... as others have attested here. My homeowners ins was even less helpful in this issue.
What I'm willing to accept and what I'm forced to accept may be two different things. The LBS is shocked at this ins co attitude... say they've never had this issue before. Must be my lucky day.
Originally Posted by
CB HI
This is not an option, if you settle with the insurance company - you have settled with the driver. Right now the insurance company is representing the driver up until you take them to small claims court.
You may well be right about that. I'll have to verify that for my state.