Waiting for parts

Hoonercat

I had a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago (no fault and other party admitted liability) and used my own insurers' claim management to carry out the repairs as I thought it would be done quicker. They also provided me with a hire bike charged at £110 per day.
About 2 weeks ago I was informed that they were waiting for some parts to turn up. I assume that these are the aftermarket parts, as when I originally bought them they did take some time to arrive. I say 'assume' as getting any info from the claims company is proving difficult. If it is the case that they are only waiting for the aftermarket parts then the bike is rideable as these parts only received superficial damage so last week I emailed the claims company and suggested that they speak to the other insurers with a view to sending me a cheque for these parts and I would fit them when they arrive (half hour job). This would mean that I could get my bike back and that they wouldn't be stung for the almost £800 per week hire bike charges. The Claims company replied saying that they didn't think the third party insurer would do this as there would be a cancellation charge for the parts.
I replied, pointing out that they would be saving a fortune on bike hire, and asked them contact the insurers or at least give me the details and reference and I would do it for them. They didn't reply, so I've again contacted them but feel like they are being rather elusive, referring me to other departments who don't answer the phone or return messages.
Every year my premiums go up, despite my no claims doing the same, so I'm not at all happy about the idea of the claims co making a lot of money from the bike hire when the bike is (or should be) perfectly rideable. As of tomorrow, the bill for the bike hire will have reached £4,000 and there's still no sign of the parts turning up.
I'm tempted to contact the third party insurance myself to suggest that they send me a cheque for the parts and I will fit them when they arrive, but concerned that they might then contest the bill for the bike hire once they know it's been rideable for some time, and possibly leaving me to foot the bill. I have some trips planned for next week and would much rather be doing it on my own bike but that's not looking like it will happen now. Where do I stand in regards to contacting the third party insurance, and could the claims co hold me responsible for the hire bike if the third party refuses to pay part of it based on the info that I would give them?

InsideInsurance

Is it your insurers that are doing all this or a claims management company your insurers referred you to (eg Albany Assistance)?

The problem with claims management companies is they clearly have a significant conflict of interests. If they were to do what you suggest then (1) they have to spend time and effort liaising with the TPI and (2) they make less profit because you are off the hire bike quicker so there is absolutely no win for them.

Ok, the credit charges could be contested as unreasonable by the TPI, thought many insurers have agreements in place to bulk pay these things in exchange for discounts, but then at the end of the day they lose out on this case but next year when the rates are renegotiated they argue a higher rate is required to cover the greater operating costs they're facing etc so it all ultimately gets paid back.

Whilst wanting to mitigate the costs is admirable you need to ensure that you dont breach the terms of you agreement by prejudicing their claim. Certainly with some agreements this would make you personally liable for any shortfall in the settlement they receive from the TPI

rs65

As said, be very careful about breaching the terms of your agreement - could be costly.

Can you visit the repairer and find out the exact status of repairs?

Hoonercat

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Is it your insurers that are doing all this or a claims management company your insurers referred you to (eg Albany Assistance)?

The problem with claims management companies is they clearly have a significant conflict of interests. If they were to do what you suggest then (1) they have to spend time and effort liaising with the TPI and (2) they make less profit because you are off the hire bike quicker so there is absolutely no win for them.

The insurers passed my claim onto the management co. I assumed that it would be quicker to do it this way, and that they would be under an obligation to keep the costs down as much as possible. Had I used my local dealer I'm sure I would have the bike back by now and could have reached an agreement with the TPI regarding the parts that still have not arrived, just seems ridiculous to me that so much money is being charged when the bike is perfectly rideable (assuming they have actually repaired it and it's not sitting in a long queue) and fitting of the parts would only take me half an hour to do myself. I've had numerous phone calls from one solicitors promising to get me compensation and suggesting that I should see their medical experts despite telling them numerous times that I was not injured (just had a bit of discomfort on the night of the accident). I had told my insurers that I wasn't injured and didn't want to be contacted but they still insisted that someone would phone me:mad: I hate the way the insurance industry works, everyone wants their share of the pie while our premiums go up to cover it.

Hoonercat

rs65 wrote: »

As said, be very careful about breaching the terms of your agreement - could be costly.

Can you visit the repairer and find out the exact status of repairs?

They are too far away, I've phoned, emailed and left a message but still no response.

Hoonercat

If the bike is not returned by the end of next week the cost of bike hire will have reached over £5,000. Looking at the year and mileage on the hire bike, I could very easily have bought one for that price and have money left to spare. The total cost of the claim could easily exceed £8,000, my bike is worth about £4,500.:eek:

McKneff

If it ever happens again and someone admits liability, then deal directly with the third party insurance.

You have found out the hard way that is is far quicker to deal with it yourself and with far less hassle

InsideInsurance

Hoonercat wrote: »

. I assumed that it would be quicker to do it this way, and that they would be under an obligation to keep the costs down as much as possible.

Technically they are supposed to assist you in keeping your costs down however this is contrary to their desire to keep you in hire as long as possible - hence the conflict of interests

BertTheRaccoon

Phone the acciddent management company/ credit hire company and inform them of what you want to happen here (the return of your bike with the damaged aftermarket components fitted and to send on the parts that are on back order when they arrive) so you can mitigate your loss. Advise them if they do not agree to this, you will simply voluntee the copies of any emails you have sent or other information surrounding your concerns as to the excessive delays and mounting hire charges to the insurers of the third party.

You have a duty to act reasonably and mitigate your losses and you are making every effort to do this, yet their own commerical interests are dragging the matter out unnecessarily and you have no interest in supporting their claim for a protracted period of hire charges, when the situation could be avoided.

Hoonercat

McKneff wrote: »

If it ever happens again and someone admits liability, then deal directly with the third party insurance.

You have found out the hard way that is is far quicker to deal with it yourself and with far less hassle

I did try. I phoned the third party the following day and explained that it would be cheaper and quicker if I dealt directly with his insurers as they would want to keep the costs down, but he was rather rude and told me not to phone him again as it was illegal for me to contact him:p. Oh well, it's his premium that will be loaded.
I've emailed the claims co AGAIN asking them to tell me which parts they are waiting for, when they expect to have them and when the bike will be returned to me. Yesterday I phoned and was put through to the workshop but no one answered, left a message but no one has got back to me. It really shouldn't be this hard get answers to simple questions.
I could ask them to return the bike and forward me the parts, but I can actually buy one of the parts and have it delivered next day. I can imagine the excuse would be 'who will cover the cost of posting?' (heavy item). Also, I was under the impression that the third party insurer 'own' any parts that are replaced, hence wanting to ok it with them first as one of the parts would have to be left on the bike (exhaust).

BertTheRaccoon

Just out of curiosity, are the people who are repairing your bike based in Ringwood, Hampshire?