My baby got hurt, need advice dealing with insurance...

[theMelvster6]

A few days ago I let my brother ride my Buell to work...not a problem, he's a licensed rider. Well, it was trash day though and the trash guys let a big dumpster get away from them. It rolled downhill and crashed in to my bike and sent it falling to the ground. Most of the damage is on the left rear side where it hit the ground with quite a bit of force. My swing arm is scraped up pretty good by the axle, the rider foot peg is scraped up, and the most damaged is the passenger foot pet bracket got pushed in and is very loose. I haven't taken anything apart yet to really see that damage. Other than that, both bar end mirrors broke off and there is a huge smudge on my front tire. Luckily it doesn't seem to bad...but in any case how can I develop a paper trail for some of the aftermarket things that came on the bike when I got it, just in case they total it for any reason. It came with a d&d pipe and ASV levers. I want to get what I deserve for repairs and Heaven forbid they total it, I want the money to replace the aftermarket parts...

 

[wolfo68]

You can get pricing for all of those parts except maybe the D&D

 

[Bello]

Noooooooo!!!!! I have no advice, sorry. But you have my sympathy. Sucks.

 

[Renegade]

Pretty sure a factory exhaust is going to cost more than the D&D. Levers not so much, and insurance companies don't really take aftermarket parts into account when they total a bike out. They might add $20 for the parts.

 

[theMelvster6]

I did general pricing on cost of parts that were damaged...approximately $1,530....still rideable as is, yes...but cosmetically there are dents, scrapes, tweaks on parts that were previously in great condition.It's only fair to me that get the same condition in return. At least the insurance adjuster seemed like they were willing to do what ever necessary to fix it. I called the local HD stealership collision center and they want $150 just to do an estimate, because I told them I will probably fix it myself...I just need the parts. I don't want Harley techs even touching my bike.

 

[wolfo68]

If you have accessory coverage they will give you the amount to replace the parts with the same parts provided it is less than the maximum specified. I have 3k of accessory coverage on mine.

 

[theMelvster6]

I don't even want to file a claim with my insurance. the trash company is at fault, and their workers tried to skip out at first and act like they didn't know what happened...but they got caught and ultimately fessed up to letting the trash dumpster get away. So that ticked me off, and now I'm going to get every little thing fixed, or the money for it. haha

 

[thrstrmech]

bummer, that really sucks

for replacement parts: newcastlehd.com, surdyke.com, LSHD1.com, Buellsterparts.com, ASB(americansportbike.com), stpaulharleydavidson.com, chicagoharleydavidson.com, Buellparts.net are my favs to gets parts from...newcastlehd by far the best in service and prices, great guys to deal with on the phone and will take the time to reference parts.

 

[50dro]

That sucks man! I hope you can get it back to new!

We might be able to help you out on the OEM stuff too. If you have a parts list, send it my way and I'll see what I can do.

 

[Enemy Zero]

The trash company should be fully insured for this and should make it right by making it new or purchase you another in the same condition. If not, seek legal assistance.

 

[wolfo68]

File a claim and let your insurance company fight it out with theirs. They can afford the lawyers and I can almost guarantee it will go that way since no insurance company really wants to pay for anything.

 

[XLXB]

Talk to the trash company first, they may offer to give you cash so their insurance rates don't go up. Make sure you get enough to get it all because you don't get to go back for more money. Did the work myself. Missed an expensive part but the cash covered it.

If you end up dealing with insurance don't accept what they think it is worth if you think it is more. Most insurances are comparable replace cost. If the parts are not made anymore find something that is and is comparable. If they try and total it Find one that you feel that is comparable and tell the insurance company buy it for you. They won't do it but if you are with in reason they will give you more money for yours.

 

[chief_of_smoke]

i would do what wolf said. i you do the work the insurace company will pay you for your labor. at least thats what progressive did. but make sure the insurace company lists the right parts. when i was looking for new parts for mine, i looked at all the sights and went to harley to compare prices. as it turned out the local harley shop that does sell buells was the cheapest. but file the claim. dont take hush money and dont just settle. if they total it. tell them you are going to buy it back and fix it any way. they realy dont like that and usally get you the cash to fix it. thats my 2 cents.

 

[theMelvster6]

Well...here is the update! I had been trying to contact my adjuster for almost a month now. The accident happened on Dec 17, 2013 and I had written emails and left voice mails for weeks now with no response. TODAY, I finally was able to contact the insurance company...BUT only after I called the main line and was directed to the supervisor. Apparently my claims adjuster has been very ill...but anyway they finally got the ball rolling. I expressed my initial concern of having to pay out of pocket for an estimate that the insurance company, apparently, is very reluctant to reimburse me for. So they decided to schedule to have an Appraiser come out to look at my bike, which I am somewhat leery about. Tonight I spent a few hours gathering specific part numbers and searching newcastlehd.com, surdyke.com, and LSHD1.com for prices on parts. I have prices from each place for each part, just so I have good documentation of actual dealership prices for these parts. I'm just nervous that some bozo appraiser that doesn't know **** about Buells...or motorcycles for that matter...comes out to try to make an estimate. As of right now, according to the prices I looked up, I'm sitting right at $1100-1200 just for factory replacement parts and another $300-400 in aftermarket parts that were damaged which includes a left side LSL Rider pegs, Pro-Taper S.E. Handlebars, ASV clutch lever, and a Dunlop Sportmax Q2 front tire. I haven't even factored in Labor yet, my assumption is the appraiser will do that or take the bike somewhere to have an estimate done...My understanding is they are supposed to replace like-for-like parts especially if I have receipts for those parts purchased. Anywho...Riding Season is coming up and I wanna get my baby back on the road!! Im so FU**IN Pissed it has taken me to keep bugging them to finally get on this!!