Managed to throw the GSXR down the road on Saturday :( (a car pulled out in front of the car I was following - he stopped, I was slightly leant over when I grabbed the front brake and didn't . . . . . . well, not before I hit him/road). Nothing too serious, just cosmetic damage to the bike and a bumped Arai.

I managed to ride the bike to the Suzuki garage at the bottom of my road and called my insurance company first thing Monday morning. Since then an estimate has been written up and approved by an inspector/engineer that my insurers sent along.

A mate of mine has assured me that I'm entitled to ask for a cheque, made payable to myself for the full amount agreed by the garage and inspector. I'd obviously prefer this to them paying the garage directly, as I know I can source cheaper placement bits for the bike, and I was hoping to cover my excess and buy a new lid with the difference.

Is this the case?

I'm an insurance claims handler.

Sorry, nope, you have no automatic right to a cash settlement on a motor or bike policy. Some insurers will pay cash, but will take, say 10% off for the privilege. If you have a copy of the policy (normally sent out when you take out the policy), then you'll find details re this under "Claims Settlement Provisions".

To get cash you may need to be pretty insistent, asking to speak to a Supervisor if the first chap doesn't agree to it.

alternatively, they may simply pay the estimated cost before VAT.

Bugger me, it's an authority on the matter . . . . . . . with bad news :(:(

With 10% taken off the top it may still be worth having the cash.

I'll read all my paperwork in the morning then see what they say.

Thanks Andy.

Nae bother (big guy !)

PM me if need be.

Andy Mc

If the bike is a write off or borderline write off, you may be able to get a 'cash in-lieu of repairs offer' so you can put right at your own expense, insurers are aware 2nd hand parts can be used. However with the increase pressure on insurers not releasing write-offs to the public they may be more reluctant to do this now.
Again if it's a simple case of repairing with new parts, they will do this.