In short, it was 8 years ago when I was hit virtually head-on in the correct position in a narrow country lane (no escape route) by a 7.5 tonne lorry on the wrong side of the road on a bend. Fortunately the police realised that the lorry had forward and side facing cameras. Whilst in hosp for two months (multiple serious injuries) I couldn't see Marigold but the first inspecting engineer wrote it off Cat B (bent frame and forks) from photos and offered a settlement of 500 quid as Pre Accident Value (PAV), no option to buy the 'salvage'. I told him he was daft. A second engineer inspector raised it £1000, no option to buy back the salvage. Quote: "Only AIB approved breakers can purchase Cat B write-offs".Janet wrote:It may have changed in recent years but it wasn't always so. Several years ago, Spriddler was involved in a serious on Marigold. After much effort and determination he was able to get the 'write-off' decision written off.
I know Marigold wasn't a pretty machine (more than 32,000 miles in 5 years) but a grand wasn't enough for a newly MOT'd, matching numbers, brand new tyres and chains, mechanically reliable very original bike? ('54 G3LS). I refused their offer.
I had a great deal of help (valuation, recovery of my tools etc.) from the club (the then President currently Chairman, Roy )
Four months later when I was a bit mobile on crutches I had the bike recovered home from Essex under my breakdown cover. I had the frame checked professionally in a jig and it was twisted 2.5mm. In view of photos I've seen of the factory's frame assembly dep't I argued that it was probably like that from new but I had it corrected and certificated whilst I was there and the ins. co. (Carole Nash) eventually (after 28 phone calls and 17 emails) changed the classification and paid me £1000, enabling a section pal to rebuild the bike as I still couldn't stand and couldn't use my right arm or hand (still can't).
I was also told that agreed value only applies if the bike's stolen.
As an aside I was told that few ins. co's offer Third Party cover as the premium wouldn't be any less than fully comp since their major risk is not the bike's value but the potentially huge 3rd party compensation claims for injury.
Even the gear lever shaft was sheared clean off........