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Carbon damage - insurance claim


leeubok

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Posted

Reviving an old thread here.. After successfully claiming for a new frame earlier this year, I spent some extra cash and got a pyga stage frame, and carried all my components across. I still have the merida frame though, insurance never asked for it and technically it belongs to them now after they paid me out (I've actually changed insurers since then). I wasn't going to phone them and say hey come fetch it..

 

My question now, what do I do with it? I don't have the bucks to fix it and build it up again, I'd rather spend the cash on upgrading parts on my pyga. Will it be unethical/illegal to sell it? I guess I won't get much for it anyways, the rear shock is probably worth more than the damaged frame?

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Posted

Unethical to sell it as, like you say, it does technically belong to the insurance company (whether you are still with them or not)... 

 

Having said that though, I am sure if they thought it would be of any value to them they would have requested it back as salvage and sent someone to collect...In my experiences of dealing with insurance (working in a bike store) generally they don't bother with frames as the salvage value is so low, if it were a complete bike they replaced then generally they collect the old complete bike as the salvage company will give them a reasonable amount for it. This obviously varies from company to company...

Posted

Unethical to sell it as, like you say, it does technically belong to the insurance company (whether you are still with them or not)... 

 

Having said that though, I am sure if they thought it would be of any value to them they would have requested it back as salvage and sent someone to collect...In my experiences of dealing with insurance (working in a bike store) generally they don't bother with frames as the salvage value is so low, if it were a complete bike they replaced then generally they collect the old complete bike as the salvage company will give them a reasonable amount for it. This obviously varies from company to company...

If it is unethical to sell, what do I do with it then? The insurer is obviously not going to claim it (been 1 year now) because as you pointed out, it has no value to them. But it still has value to me as the frame is still in excellent condition, apart from the damage it sustained when knocked over. If I repair the damage (approx R2000) I then sit with a good value dual suss frame which I could build up again if I had spare bucks lying around. But I don't, so I'd rather sell it as is and use whatever I get for it to upgrade parts on my current bike.

Posted

If it is unethical to sell, what do I do with it then? The insurer is obviously not going to claim it (been 1 year now) because as you pointed out, it has no value to them. But it still has value to me as the frame is still in excellent condition, apart from the damage it sustained when knocked over. If I repair the damage (approx R2000) I then sit with a good value dual suss frame which I could build up again if I had spare bucks lying around. But I don't, so I'd rather sell it as is and use whatever I get for it to upgrade parts on my current bike.

 

Out of interest, how much would you then sell this frame for, in it's damaged state?

Posted

Reviving an old thread here.. After successfully claiming for a new frame earlier this year, I spent some extra cash and got a pyga stage frame, and carried all my components across. I still have the merida frame though, insurance never asked for it and technically it belongs to them now after they paid me out (I've actually changed insurers since then). I wasn't going to phone them and say hey come fetch it..

 

My question now, what do I do with it? I don't have the bucks to fix it and build it up again, I'd rather spend the cash on upgrading parts on my pyga. Will it be unethical/illegal to sell it? I guess I won't get much for it anyways, the rear shock is probably worth more than the damaged frame?

For your karma you need to inform the insurance company that you're going to use/sell their frame. It belongs to them, if they send you an email telling you to keep it then go right ahead.

Posted

Out of interest, how much would you then sell this frame for, in it's damaged state?

I have no idea! I'd have to factor in that whoever buys it will have to spend R2000-R3000 to fix it first. 

Posted

For your karma you need to inform the insurance company that you're going to use/sell their frame. It belongs to them, if they send you an email telling you to keep it then go right ahead.

Maybe that's what I should do then, email them and ask if they intend collecting it or if I can keep it

Posted

Reviving an old thread here.. After successfully claiming for a new frame earlier this year, I spent some extra cash and got a pyga stage frame, and carried all my components across. I still have the merida frame though, insurance never asked for it and technically it belongs to them now after they paid me out (I've actually changed insurers since then). I wasn't going to phone them and say hey come fetch it..

 

My question now, what do I do with it? I don't have the bucks to fix it and build it up again, I'd rather spend the cash on upgrading parts on my pyga. Will it be unethical/illegal to sell it? I guess I won't get much for it anyways, the rear shock is probably worth more than the damaged frame?

Even though you are no longer with the same insurance company, i would get hold of them, quote the claim/policy number at the time of replacing the frame and inform them that you still have it. Ask them if they want it back or if you can dispose of it.

Most likely they will let you dispose of it. This way, you are in the clear with selling/repairing the frame.

If selling - inform the purchaser in writing of the damage and reports.

Seems excessive...but CYA and keep it ethical and "clean". 

Posted

Even though you are no longer with the same insurance company, i would get hold of them, quote the claim/policy number at the time of replacing the frame and inform them that you still have it. Ask them if they want it back or if you can dispose of it.

Most likely they will let you dispose of it. This way, you are in the clear with selling/repairing the frame.

If selling - inform the purchaser in writing of the damage and reports.

Seems excessive...but CYA and keep it ethical and "clean". 

Good advice, thanks. Sent them an email now, lets see what they say. I'm obviously hoping they say I can dispose of it myself!

Posted

I claimed a new wheel set as the front one was stolen. The insurance took the rear wheel from me.

 

About a month later they phoned me to say that they didn't know what to do with it and that I could come and collect it if I wanted. Which I did.

 

They told me that they only use car salvage companies and that these companies had no interest in cycle products.

 

But I agree, ask them if you can dispose of it first. Just to protect yourself.

Posted

I claimed a new wheel set as the front one was stolen. The insurance took the rear wheel from me.

 

About a month later they phoned me to say that they didn't know what to do with it and that I could come and collect it if I wanted. Which I did.

Haha that's cool! It's been a year since I claimed for the frame so I'd be surprised if they ask for it now. But who knows, maybe they'll unpleasantly surprise me.. If they want it back I can always ask to buy it back from them (and just keep it). I've heard people do this before

Posted

Yeah that would be the right thing to do, and if they want it then that's that, I would have it repaired and build it up as and when you get the cash in...

 

Carbon Bike repairs in Randburg/Northriding are good at what they do...haven't had anything done personally, however I have seen the work they produce.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Update:

 

I have sent an email to 4 or 5 different addresses I found on my previous insurers' website. Have not received a response. 

 

I think I have done my bit to try and contact them, so now I will 'dispose" of the frame myself. Will advertise it on the classifieds, people must maar make me an offer as I have no idea what I could/should be selling it for

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