Insurance update from my crash need input

Mr.Grimm

2008 Black Cherry Pitbull
Not sure what’s going insurance wise, this prick might be denying fault, even though the LEO says it’s his fault. I’ll find out more on that later.

OK guys this is where I can really use the combined knowledge and expertise of this forum. Now it looks like the insurance company is going to fix my 05 Mastiff instead of totaling it. This is fine by me.

The insurance Co. is going to haul my bike to the local Big Dog Dealer, Full House Cycles in Winchester Va.

The mechanic there (Scott) has to put together an estimate to get her fixed up right. I already informed him that the accident is the other guys fault so his insurance will be footing the bill. So make it PEREFCT. Scott replied; will do.

But now I’m thinking what more should I run past Scott, while he is writing up this estimate.
For example;
• What’s the cost difference for a Springer front end?
• I think the entire bike should be professionally detailed after sitting in the dirt and rain for almost a week. (Not just frame and paint but motor to.)
• Obviously there will be a close inspection for nicks and dings.
• Check the triple tree and the neck area very thoroughly.
• What else? I know you guys are going to come up with some good ones.
 

stryfox

Active Member
I'm willing to bet that they might reconsider after they get the estimate. Parts and labor add up fast. Before the estimate is done go down there and point out any small damage that they may have missed. Scufs on chrome and such.
 

RubWhore

Asshole Extraordinaire
Heres where you start
Frame scratches means total bike disasembly big bucks
motor scraches means new parts
wheel scratches means new wheels
remember all this when dealing with insurance and at BigDog retail pricing you should be able to get bike back together with all killer parts including aspringer headwork ect
dont forget batttery and ehc and wiring damage from bike laying in the dirt
 

Steve1028

Well-Known Member
Just wondering...why has the wrecked bike been sitting in the rain and dirt for a week?

When I wrecked one several years ago, my insurance guy was confident it would be repaired and said to take it to the Harley shop and it would be fixed in no time. Well, like Rubwhore stated, frame scratches, wheels, chrome scraped everywhere, an estimate of $15,000 for repairs, and they quickly decided it was totalled. Yours wrecked looked worse than mine wrecked!
 

Mr.Grimm

2008 Black Cherry Pitbull
Just wondering...why has the wrecked bike been sitting in the rain and dirt for a week?

When I wrecked one several years ago, my insurance guy was confident it would be repaired and said to take it to the Harley shop and it would be fixed in no time. Well, like Rubwhore stated, frame scratches, wheels, chrome scraped everywhere, an estimate of $15,000 for repairs, and they quickly decided it was totalled. Yours wrecked looked worse than mine wrecked!
My bike got towed to the tow yard while I was in the hospital (nothing to serious)and sat in the dirt and rain for almost a week before the insurance co. moved on it. in fact it still hasn't been moved.
supposed to move tomorrow.
 
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mcgroom

Well-Known Member
I will be surprised if they dont total it.

Get all of your add on's on paper and make sure the estimate the shop turns in includes everything.
 

PROFLYER

SWOLE
You're doing the right thing. Have it taken to a trusted shop and let them know insurance will take care of it.

Subrogative rights give your insurance company the right to pay to fix it fast (keep you happy), less your deductible, then go after him and his insurance as he's at fault. If he was ticketed and the cop said he's at fault--he's at fault! Do you have his insurance info? Give them a call and file a claim.

In the mean time trust its at a good shop and have them go through every detail. Have them add $ for cleaning/restoring etc. The way the law reads is his insurance has to return you to PRE LOSS CONDITION and if that means a new bike, its a new bike based on appraised value (either nada or your shop). If they want to total it, have the shop appraise it for you considering aftermarket parts etc.
 

amylulu1

Active Member
I do wreck estimates on a regular basis...I did see your pictures and have to say that I will be surprised if they fix it. Although they did shock me last year and fixed a 2000 Vintage Sport with $10,600 in damages! Good luck!
 

toomanybikes

not enough time 4 riding
Patrick,

I don't see any damage to the body parts in the pictures, but I am concerned about the foot controls as well as the entire front end. Maybe I am paranoid but I would have the clutch and throttle cables checked also. Good luck.
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
LIke Rub said, any scratches on the frame means a total disassemble to powdercoat. That's about $5K to $6K alone. Get a police report!!!! That should list the driver and his insurance. File a claim with your insurance and let them deal with the other insurance company to get the money. That's their job!!! Talk to the guys in Winchester and see what your options are. A small scratch on the frame can be touched up and that $5k can be used somewhere else. Big Dog parts are a lot more expensive than Harley or other mass produced bikes. A springer front end may not be that much more. Also, all Big Dog paint jobs are "custom" paint jobs. You can go back with the original or have someone like Ed do you something totally different for about the same price. Good luck.
 

Mr.Grimm

2008 Black Cherry Pitbull
I knew you guys would be helpfull!
Thanks for all the input
WOW! springer front end, and a paint job by ED. I hope they do fix it!
 

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
When I wrecked last year I had to go through this. My bike was very customized, raked neck, springer front end, custom built bars, etc etc. I didn't trust a shop to properly do the estimate, so I did it myself. I went over the entire bike, and every part that was damaged I either got a price from Big Dog, or printed a catalog page from Custom Chrome or wherever with a picture of the part and a retail price. I got an esitmate from the paint guy, I figured the man hours for repair, and wrote up an invoice for labor, paying myself a shop rate to repair the bike. In the end, the bill was just below the "total" threshhold. The kid who hit me was also denying responsibility, even though the #1 witness in the report was the cop who was driving behind me when it happened, and he wrote the whole thing in my favour. I went through my own insurance, but had a snag with the adjuster. The first adjuster looked at the bike and said he wasn't able to estimate it because it was too "custom". I called and bitched up a storm, and got another adjuster. He insisted that they total the bike, but in the end, I worked out a deal that they would pay out the maximum non total amount, as long as I agreed not to add anything else once the bike was torn down. My insurance company waived my deductible because the accident report was so blatantly in my favour - the kid made a right from the far left lane, cutting hard across 2 lanes of traffic and right into me. Luckily there was a cop in an unmarked car right behind me who saw everything. So anyway, goto the shop where the bike is, personally document all the damage, call your insurance co and find out where the total threshold is, then start digging around for prices on everything. It's fine to let the shop do this, but stupid not to check their work. Have it all printed in color nice and neat for the adjuster so he can walk around the bike, look at the damaged part, verify the picture and price from the catalog, and document it. If the shop is gonna do the labour, make sure they don't throw anything extra in there once it's apart. My damages came to $11,500, just below the $11,900 total threshold.
 
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Mr.Grimm

2008 Black Cherry Pitbull
When I wrecked last year I had to go through this. My bike way very customized, raked neck, springer front end, custom built bars, etc etc. I didn't trust a shop to properly do the estimate, so I did it myself. I went over the entire bike, and every part that was damaged I either got a price from Big Dog, or printed a catalog page from Custom Chrome or wherever with a picture of the part and a retail price. I got an esitmate from the paint guy, I figured the man hours for repair, and wrote up an invoice for labor, paying myself a shop rate to repair the bike. In the end, the bill was just below the "total" threshhold. The kid who hit me was also denying responsibility, even though the #1 witness in the report was the cop who was driving behind me when it happened, and he wrote the whole thing in my favour. I went through my own insurance, but had a snag with the adjuster. The first adjuster looked at the bike and said he wasn't able to estimate it because it was too "custom". I called and bitched up a storm, and got another adjuster. He insisted that they total the bike, but in the end, I worked out a deal that they would pay out the maximum non total amount, as long as I agreed not to add anything else once the bike was torn down. My insurance company waived my deductible because the accident report was so blatantly in my favour - the kid made a right from the far left lane, cutting hard across 2 lanes of traffic and right into me. Luckily there was a cop in an unmarked car right behind me who saw everything. So anyway, goto the shop where the bike is, personally document all the damage, call your insurance co and find out where the total threshold is, then start digging around for prices on everything. It's fine to let the shop do this, but stupid not to check their work. Have it all printed in color nice and neat for the adjuster so he can walk around the bike, look at the damaged part, verify the picture and price from the catalog, and document it. If the shop is gonna do the labour, make sure they don't throw anything extra in there once it's apart. My damages came to $11,500, just below the $11,900 total threshold.

outstanding advise Thank you!
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
Just a thought! If they do total it, and pay you off. Check and see what they will sell it back to you for. You might be surprised what you can buy it back for, if you wanted to go through getting it fixed yourself. They might ask some ridiculous price , but then again you might be able to get it back for like real cheap..

Ray
 

Mr.Grimm

2008 Black Cherry Pitbull
Just a thought! If they do total it, and pay you off. Check and see what they will sell it back to you for. You might be surprised what you can buy it back for, if you wanted to go through getting it fixed yourself. They might ask some ridiculous price , but then again you might be able to get it back for like real cheap..

Ray
Great minds think alike bro!
 

OrangeSkullz

Active Member
You'll never get the springer front end unless "you" foot the bill for it. The insurance company WILL NOT negotiate the price difference. IF they decide to repair the bike it will be done and only done with OEM parts. Unless you have recent pictures of the frame, tank ect. don't count on insurance paying for that damage either. The bike is 5 years old and "normal wear & tear" will be factored in. Insurance companies are becoming more & more weary of up-charges on cars, trucks, bikes ect.

If I were you, I'd HOPE LIKE HELL they total the bike out. And as someone else said, maybe buy it back for pennies on the dollar. What your going to be dealing with now is a bike that has been involved in an accident...what little resale value you had is now gone.

Based on the pics you posted I don't see them totaling the bike though. Looks like retail value is in the neighborhood of $13g. Your insurance company is also going to have a little conversation with the repair shop as far as getting parts at cost...you can bet your as on that. Don't be surprised if the insurance company also ask for 3 different estimates be forwarded to them also.

Best of Luck!
 
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Brew

Troop Supporter
Hopefully Scotts estimate is a bit inflated for unseen issues. Make sure he includes that. You would rather him have enough than not enough, just saying... You can talk them down on the price of that Mastiff. I bought mine brand new in 08 for near that price...:2thumbs:
 

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Wouldn't it be easier to beat the crap out of the guy and burn his house down? :confused:

Good call on talking to a lawyer...never hurts.
 
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