When it comes to making a claim on your motorbike insurance, the process is typically  straightforward. However, there are certain factors that can make going through a claim more difficult, and these can range from having an accident involving an uninsured driver, to disputes over who was to blame.

Thankfully there are ways to reduce the stress and minimise the hassle of making a claim, while supplying your insurer with as much important information as possible. With this in mind, we’ve got a quick and easy guide on how to claim on your motorbike insurance, and if you’re looking for a quote with Carole Nash today, then please give us a call on 0333 005 3355.

What you need to do immediately after an accident

When you’re unlucky enough to be involved in an accident while riding on the roads, then the first thing you need to do is to ensure any safety concerns are addressed, before you even think about claiming on motorcycle insurance.

If you or someone else has been injured in anyway, or if the accident has created a hazard for other people or traffic, then it’s vital that the police are contacted straight away. Check if anyone has sustained any serious injuries, and take note of all the vehicle registrations involved. Make sure you get the names, contact and insurance details of those involved, and if applicable get the contact information from any witnesses.

It’s important that you don’t admit any liability or offer to pay any compensation at the time of the accident. The reason for this is that there could have been other factors that were either beyond your control, or that you were unaware of, which contributed to the accident. When you immediately take the blame, this could certainly affect any potential insurance payout.

What to do when dealing with your insurer

After you’ve been involved in an accident on your motorcycle and followed the steps that were applicable above, then you must contact your insurer as soon as you can to report the matter to them. Even if you don’t plan on making a claim, it’s essential that you contact them as soon as possible.

If you are considering making a claim, then your motorbike insurance provider will need to evaluate the cost of any repairs using an assessor. Typically this will mean taking your motorcycle to a local garage, which has been approved by your provider. If any repairs are needed, then you may be provided with a courtesy bike during this time, as long as your policy includes this.

Keep in mind, if you take your motorbike somewhere that hasn’t been approved by your insurer, you maybe jeopardising your chances of being able to claim the costs back. You’ll be required to pay any excess when making a claim if the accident was your fault. However, if the claim is from the insurance of another motorist, you won’t need to pay any excess.

What to do when your motorbike is written off

When the cost of repairs to your motorbike ends up being greater than its total value, it will often be declared as a write-off. This will result in you being offered a cash settlement by the insurer, minus any excess. You can work out the value of your bike, by looking at similar models on the market to assess whether the cash settlement is fair. Some insurers work on a percentage basis and the vehicle could also be deemed as a total loss depending on repatriation costs (if the bike is abroad).

Remember, if you purchased your motorcycle brand new, it will be affected by depreciation. So, if it was written off and you are offered a cash settlement, this may be less than the initial cost of the bike. Adding modifications to your bike can sometimes enhance its value, but you will need to inform your insurer and supply the receipts or records of any work done.

What to do when claiming against an uninsured driver

Claiming against another driver who doesn’t have insurance can sometimes be problematic. However, if you have comprehensive motorbike insurance in place, you’ll still be covered if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, and you’ll still be able to claim.

Keep in mind that claiming for this type of scenario will still involve paying your normal excess. It could also mean that you have to take a loss to your no-claims bonus, unless your current insurance policy specifically waives this. If your policy isn’t comprehensive, you may still be able to claim from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, but this will incur an excess charge of  £300.

What to do when making other types of claims

It’s not just road accidents that can leave you in a situation where you need to make a claim on your motorcycle insurance. You’re bike could end up getting stolen, or get damaged or vandalised when parked. It’s essential that you gather as much information as possible if this was to happen to you, just like you would with an accident claim.

Make sure that you always keep a record of any contact you have with your insurers. In the case of theft or vandalism, it’s especially important that you obtain a crime reference number from the police. Your insurer will need this number in order to deal with your claim as efficiently as possible.