Don’t go anywhere near the insurance claim strategy. That is for serious events. I have learnt recently from a total loss theft that insurers don’t seem too bothered about signing you up with very little information, but will try anything they can to “invalidate” your insurance when you do claim. Once you have claimed your world changes, especially NCD. I have yet to verify this, but it even seems NCD applies to a specific policy. So yeah, fix the essential damage yourself, then spend time considering how to refurbish the cosmetics.
Chalk it up to life's mistakes, the first fuel-up of my ducati enduro. Drop it on it's side in my local tesco's garage forecourt because after rocking it off the center stand. I steered forwards & the weight tipped away from me, I now always steer away from me & the weight comes into my chest (always). I don't regret these things it's a learning curve to share with other's so they can picture the scenario & be mindful. Like putting the side stand down, I always look at it before stepping off bikes. The reason why is another tale that proper freaked me out for another time!
It does. So you loose your ncd (or a chunk of it depending on how much you have built up, assuming not protected) for that policy. If you have multi bike cover then it goes across all bikes on that policy. It doesn’t cost your ncd on stand alone separate policies. But, your claim history follows you across each and every motor related policy you hold. Simple rule: Heads they win, tails you loose.
You are not alone.. Scratched my high gloss sidecases while dismounting after 7 miles, new delivery from the dealer.
It's an "industry" that needs a monumental overhaul and regulating of its operating practices but that's unlikely to ever happen.
Fwiw, I had a no-fault motorcycle accident where the other driver was prosecuted and convicted for the accident, his insurance company accepted liability and settled my claim in full. My insurance company were not involved in the process, and my claim was handled by separate specialist Motorcycle Claim Solicitors. Nevertheless, my subsequent bike insurance renewals went up significantly, and I had to inform my other vehicle insurers of the circumstances, and they also increased my premiums at renewal. Needless to say, I've changed my bike insurer! The moral of this story is, don't involve insurance companies unless you absolutely must do! Good luck. Tom.
I got knocked off my bike a few months ago by a van driver who hit me from behind. Damage was over £2k but luckily they accepted liability (I also had a witness) and decided to pay for the repairs themselves rather than using insurance which I was happy to do. I was slightly nervous until they actually paid the dealer directly but it went through ok.
