To file a claim or not file a claim

[Insurance Question]

I have 2006 FJR. I set up this anonymous account on purpose. thanks for understanding.

In California

Yesterday, my GF got on the back and just before taking off, something happened, not sure what, but we lost our balance and fell to the right... nobody hurt, we didn't even hit the pavement, but the bike did.

1. Scratched mirror

2. Scraped upper fairing 4" x 1/4" on ridge under mirror,

3. Scratched turn signal

4. scratched lower fairing

5. paint chip (two small BB size) on tank

6. scratched and scraped lower fairing (scrape 1sq in)

7. scraped exhaust

8. scratched saddlebag

Leaked a little coolant, but almost certainly from reservoir. (rode it anyway 200+ miles, no prob)

broke little plastic screw (found out where it came from today)

Scratches are multiple deep lines.

Have never filed a claim with insurance, with USAA for years, can live with the damage and touch up paint, but it will definitely affect resale value.

Questions are:

1. Do you have to report a claim in a certain time-frame?

2. Any ideas how this will affect rates, etc.

3. Does it count as moving even though not yet?

4. any idea what adjuster's say to this type of damage re: touch up or replace all, etc.

5. I don't doubt that I could press for "bring it back to new", but it seems like a bonehead claim and it's not like anything is cracked or anything.

any similar experiences, touch up paint costs, etc?

Thanks

 

[slapnpop]

I've been there, and I feel your pain.

Typically this would fall under your comprehensive policy, as no other vehicles were involved, you weren't moving, and you are responsible. It certainly won't help your policy to file a claim, but the companies response varies from company to company. Typically you will lose any "no claim in X years" discount, and they may actually raise your rates.

They repair being all cosmetic makes it easy enough to replace parts bit by bit as budget allows. Let's go down the list:

(prices approx. what I paid or was quoted for '03 parts, try D&H or Mr. Cycles)

1. Scratched mirror

$30 new mirror (probably more for '06 bike)

2. Scraped upper fairing 4" x 1/4" on ridge under mirror,

$90

3. Scratched turn signal

$20

4. scratched lower fairing

$350

5. paint chip (two small BB size) on tank

~$500 (from memory, may be wrong)

6. scratched and scraped lower fairing (scrape 1sq in)

Same side as above re-listed?

7. scraped exhaust

$400 for new stock pipe

8. scratched saddlebag

$350

Many of these items could be covered in a single paintjob rather than replacing the plastic/tank. It would certainly be much cheaper, and you could probably have the bike painted whatever color you want for less than all the replacement parts. It's also a good time to look at aftermarket exhaust systems, etc.

Things I would suspect but didn't see on your list: barends and levers.

I'd advise against the claim as it was your fault. It can only raise your rates, and depending on your deductible you're only going to be out a grand or two of total repairs.

 

[FJRocket]

Keep your eyes on the classifieds here. Touch up/rub out the paint, and buy take off farkles (pipe and mirror, etc.) from other owners.

I wouldn't claim a tip over.

And you can get a great price on OEM parts, even painted ones, from Gary McCoy at University Motors. Just do a search and email him a parts list. He'll quote you in a day or two.

 

[donaldb]

DONT FILE A CLAIM!! your rates will go up and if you try to change to another company they will ask if you have filed any claims w/in the past 3-5 years--the end result is the quote they give you will be higher than if you hadn't filed a claim. Save your claim for when you really need it! Always remember every bike has a drop in it. Your's is already behind you now--in a way it's kinda good karma. My bike has a tip over in it--by the previous owner. I left the tiny scuff(s) they aren't noticable and I'm affraid if I repair/place them it'll bring me bad luck.

 

[Randy]

Just curious....if a claim was filed and a check was presented, will they write out a check directly to the insured or do they have to do a 2 party check? What if you said you were going to do the repairs yourself? Then, you could replace the parts with new, sell the slightly blemished parts and take that money to pay your insurance that might go up a few bucks as a result of the claim.

 

[donaldb]

Depends, if there is a lien holder, normally insurnace co will issue any settlment ck payable to their insured and lien holder. If there is no lien holder, they will issue the ck payable to their insured, unless you, the insured specifically requests it be made payable to the shop direct, etc. The amount will be based upon one of two things, either their own staff employee appraiser who meets w/you or the repair shop and they agree on a price to repair. They can at their option replace w/used parts so long as the part is an original OEM part. Depending on the policylanguage, some state it is agreed that you will accept aftermarket parts if available. They may trust the dealership or body shop based upon what estimate they send them, this is usually done if the damage is minor and the insurance company does not have a local claims office w/staff appraisers.

 

[Shane Stump]

Not trying to change the subject, but how much of this damage would have been prevented with sliders?

I remember when I first got my GL1800 and the engine guards have prevented a LOT of damage from the few accidental slips I have had.

Best Regards,

Shane

 

[Windjammer]

Just curious....if a claim was filed and a check was presented, will they write out a check directly to the insured or do they have to do a 2 party check? What if you said you were going to do the repairs yourself? Then, you could replace the parts with new, sell the slightly blemished parts and take that money to pay your insurance that might go up a few bucks as a result of the claim.

Not a bad idea, but I'm not sure it would work. Many moons ago I backed into a parked car with a pickup and did about $900 damage to the car. After the $900 claim, my insurance company raised my rates enough to cost me about $5000 over the following 3 years! I called to complain, they said yer screwed buddy, it don't matter if your claim is $5 or $500,000 you get assigned the same number of "demerit points" for an "at fault" accident. I even offered to pay them the $900 claim back in full if they would just forget the whole deal but they refused that too. When I went to find another insurance company, I found that they all share a common database and my little $900 incident was known to all, and inescapable!!

I learned the hard way - never file an "at fault" claim unless damages are excessive - even a bank loan to pay the damage out of pocket would be a better deal.

Of course, there's always the "not at fault" accident. This happens when you and your girlfriend are away from the bike and it falls off the centerstand on its own, or perhaps someone pushed it over for a prank. In such cases, the rate increase usually doesn't happen, since the accident was not your fault. Of course, I'm not advocating that you be dishonest with your insurance company in regards to your accident, that's illegal and unethical.

Also, keep in mind that insurance laws vary from state to state - check your local listings before you proceed. And good luck!

 

[Mike-H]

Shouldn't the question be...."To take it up the butt from the Insurance Company or Not"......like they never make money or own the largest buildings in any downtown core....

 

[Mark G]

My bike also fell over. Like you, I dunno what happened. Damage was almost identical. Body shop estimate is just under $600 to make it look like new.

I have $100 deductible comprehensive insurance, so filing a claim gets me $500.

Yes, my insurance premium may go up, but it's not going to go up $500. I'm calling the insurance company in the morning to file a claim.

Consider this: The day my son turned 16, he had a wreck. In the next two years he wrecked his (same) car eight times. Never an injury. Insurance paid out more than three times the value of the car over the years, doing the repairs. After number 6 I said "no more" and he drove it looking like a demolition derby car for another two years. My premium went up about ten percent over that time period.

 

[Rickster]

I would:

1) Get an estimate to get it all fixed by a reputable Yamaha dealer using new OEM parts.

2) Follow previous posts and price fixing it yourself.

3) Determine what your insurance impact will be for 5 years, and estimate your total insurance 'cost' (deductible and rate hike)

4) whip up a spreadsheet, and stick all the numbers in there... and goof around with the options.

5) Ponder the decision whilst the damage pisses me off.

6) Sleep on it.

7) Decide...

FWIW -- I've never made a claim, and in your case it seems as all is cosmetic, so what's it worth? Reminder -- only 2 kinds of bikes, 1) those that have been down, 2) those that are gonna go down.

Good luck!

 

[Mark G]

I called Dairyland today to see what would happen if I file a claim on my tipover. It is classified as a comprehensive coverage claim. I filed the claim, they'll go look, and give me an estimate...standard deal, they're willing to use my body shop choice...actually they don't care, they'll do an estimate, and that's that.

I then called the underwriting department to ask what will happen to my coverage. The lady spoke to a senior underwriter, who said that IF there is an increase it will be very small, and certainly would not offset the cost of repairs (around $600 before buying the Color-Rite paint, which is apparently mixed with gold and cocaine). They said it makes no difference that I JUST bought coverage, stuff happens.

Anonymous, why don't you just call your insurance company's underwriting department and ask the same question...don't give your name or policy number if you're nervous about it.

 

[PerfectBlueride]

Someone at EOM, did that exact thing,although slightly different circumstances, turning around in gravel, bike fell over coolant leaked out a few us us riding along assisted with the pick up, minor damage, I do not know how he handeled that.

I do know he has an 06 now, think that adjustable seat :lol: besides, I would love to have some of the heat management improvements as well; is the root cause of the trade up other than that, if the premium would not go up enough to offset it than I guess it is a good deal to file.

 

[zorkler]

Make the claim that is why we pay for insurance . I dropeed my 05 . $2300.00 in damage . the check was mailed to my house . i called around for priceing and Univeristy motors is the cheapest . My dealer pritened up the cost of the parts as retail , univeristy motors will save you anywhere from 40 to 60 percent on the same parts . You can then either do it yourself or bring it to your dealer .

 

[starcruiser(aka downn2)]

Everyone forgets one big factor here...and that is the big computer in the sky (CLUE) which tracks all your claims for the insurance industry..Yea, one claim probably won't do much, but make a 2nd one? I suggest you'd be in big trouble...Ask your underwriter about this scenario and watch her squirm....Compile 2 claims with a bad credit score and you'd hard pressed to even afford the insurance anymore....

Personally, I don't turn in a claim unless I'm out of pocket a couple G's...After all, it's pretty likely you may dumb it over again, and if it not your fault because its due to avoiding a motorist, their insurance would get to pay for it!! Personally, all I carry is basic Liability for $90/year.....so I save a big wade of cash every year to pay for damage...

As far as to how long you can wait to turn in a claim.......that's up to you. After all, they don't make you take a lie detector test...

Insurance Agent in Texas........