The
most important thing, of course, is that you are not hurt! But,
perhaps your bike didn’t fare so well.
Like anything in life, it is always best to be prepared. When scheduling maintenance, choose a shop that also specializes in motorcycle collision repair. The process will go much quicker and smoother if the shop already has your information as well as your bikes records. It's kind of the same as seeing the same doctor for general checkups as well as emergency’s. You know you can trust that person in an emergency because they already know your history and have a relationship with you.
If you've never had an accident before, here's an overview of the process:The motorcycle will most likely be towed from the scene of the accident to the tow yard contracted by the responding police department. Sometimes they will tow it to the shop of your choice at your request but most of the time you will need to contact your shop and they will make arrangements to get the motorcycle from the tow yard.You will want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible, most have 24 hour claim reporting services so that the process can begin immediately. Even if the accident is not your fault you will still want to notify your own carrier so they can assist you through the claim process.
Once your motorcycle is at the shop, an estimate should be prepared and ready for the claims adjuster. Most insurance companies will send out their own staff appraiser or will hire an independent appraiser to inspect your motorcycle and review the repair with the shop. If your motorcycle was towed to another location from the scene then it is possible that the insurance adjuster will inspect it there before it is towed to the shop in which case they will prepare their own estimate. When this happens, the estimate is rarely an accurate assessment of the damage due to the inability to inspect the motorcycle thoroughly. Once the bike is brought to the shop where it will be repaired, a secondary estimate (also known as a supplement) is drafted and reviewed with the insurance company for approval.
Once this process is complete, the insurance company will determine if the motorcycle is repairable or if it is a total loss. Each state has different laws regarding how a totaled vehicle is handled; it is best contact your local DMV or Insurance Commissioner’s office for further information on this process. In the case of a total loss, you will want to try and get a dealer to help you determine the actual value of the motorcycle so you are prepared when the insurance company makes you an offer.
If the motorcycle is determined to be repairable then the insurance company will prepare a check for the cost of the repair less your applicable deductible (which is the amount you agreed to pay when you secured the insurance policy). The adjuster will either leave a check on the spot or they may mail it directly to you or your collision shop. Depending on your insurance company the check may be made out in one of four ways; 1) Your name only, 2) Directly to the collision repair shop, 3) Both you and the collision repair shop, 4) You and your lienholder. In the last instance you will want to contact your lienholder immediately to find out what the process is to get the check signed by them so that you will have the funds available when the repair to your motorcycle is complete.
The next step is to review the estimate with the shop and make a plan to complete any upgrades you've been wanting for your bike while it is at the shop. This is the best time to modify a motorcycle! Most shops will require that this process has been completed before they will proceed with repairing the motorcycle. When an insurance company pays a claim to you and/or your shop, the repair must be completed according to the estimate and no funds can be returned to you without express permission from the insurance company who wrote the check. You can, however, apply the money you received from the insurance company to other parts upgrades. Any additional cost, if it exceeds what the insurance company has allowed for the repair, will be your responsibility along with your deductible.
For example: the estimate may state that the air cleaner needs to be replaced and you had a stock air cleaner; during the repair, you can upgrade to a different air cleaner. As long as the air cleaner is replaced then you have met the obligation of the estimate. Once you have worked out the details to your satisfaction with the shop, they should be able to give you an estimated time of completion so you will know when you can be back on the road again.
As you can see, this is a lengthy process that requires patience but if you are working with a professional, qualified collision repair shop then the process should be smooth and easy. The main goal is to get you back on the road safely and as if the accident never happened!
Like anything in life, it is always best to be prepared. When scheduling maintenance, choose a shop that also specializes in motorcycle collision repair. The process will go much quicker and smoother if the shop already has your information as well as your bikes records. It's kind of the same as seeing the same doctor for general checkups as well as emergency’s. You know you can trust that person in an emergency because they already know your history and have a relationship with you.
If you've never had an accident before, here's an overview of the process:The motorcycle will most likely be towed from the scene of the accident to the tow yard contracted by the responding police department. Sometimes they will tow it to the shop of your choice at your request but most of the time you will need to contact your shop and they will make arrangements to get the motorcycle from the tow yard.You will want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible, most have 24 hour claim reporting services so that the process can begin immediately. Even if the accident is not your fault you will still want to notify your own carrier so they can assist you through the claim process.
Once your motorcycle is at the shop, an estimate should be prepared and ready for the claims adjuster. Most insurance companies will send out their own staff appraiser or will hire an independent appraiser to inspect your motorcycle and review the repair with the shop. If your motorcycle was towed to another location from the scene then it is possible that the insurance adjuster will inspect it there before it is towed to the shop in which case they will prepare their own estimate. When this happens, the estimate is rarely an accurate assessment of the damage due to the inability to inspect the motorcycle thoroughly. Once the bike is brought to the shop where it will be repaired, a secondary estimate (also known as a supplement) is drafted and reviewed with the insurance company for approval.
Once this process is complete, the insurance company will determine if the motorcycle is repairable or if it is a total loss. Each state has different laws regarding how a totaled vehicle is handled; it is best contact your local DMV or Insurance Commissioner’s office for further information on this process. In the case of a total loss, you will want to try and get a dealer to help you determine the actual value of the motorcycle so you are prepared when the insurance company makes you an offer.
If the motorcycle is determined to be repairable then the insurance company will prepare a check for the cost of the repair less your applicable deductible (which is the amount you agreed to pay when you secured the insurance policy). The adjuster will either leave a check on the spot or they may mail it directly to you or your collision shop. Depending on your insurance company the check may be made out in one of four ways; 1) Your name only, 2) Directly to the collision repair shop, 3) Both you and the collision repair shop, 4) You and your lienholder. In the last instance you will want to contact your lienholder immediately to find out what the process is to get the check signed by them so that you will have the funds available when the repair to your motorcycle is complete.
The next step is to review the estimate with the shop and make a plan to complete any upgrades you've been wanting for your bike while it is at the shop. This is the best time to modify a motorcycle! Most shops will require that this process has been completed before they will proceed with repairing the motorcycle. When an insurance company pays a claim to you and/or your shop, the repair must be completed according to the estimate and no funds can be returned to you without express permission from the insurance company who wrote the check. You can, however, apply the money you received from the insurance company to other parts upgrades. Any additional cost, if it exceeds what the insurance company has allowed for the repair, will be your responsibility along with your deductible.
For example: the estimate may state that the air cleaner needs to be replaced and you had a stock air cleaner; during the repair, you can upgrade to a different air cleaner. As long as the air cleaner is replaced then you have met the obligation of the estimate. Once you have worked out the details to your satisfaction with the shop, they should be able to give you an estimated time of completion so you will know when you can be back on the road again.
As you can see, this is a lengthy process that requires patience but if you are working with a professional, qualified collision repair shop then the process should be smooth and easy. The main goal is to get you back on the road safely and as if the accident never happened!
