4th Dimension etc

[Ming]

Well, I managed 2000 trouble free miles in the Pyrenees on my 2 week old MT07, only to be taken out by a reversing van 5 miles from my home. The A382 (I think) from Morton Hampstead to Bovey, made a bit of progress, then had to follow a car and van for about a mile. Then in a slightly narrow part we come to a stop, the car goes through and the van puts it in reverse and smacks into the front wheel and down I go. Bit bruised but otherwise OK but the bike, alth rideable, has damage to the N/S engine case, bar end, stand and indicator. His claim of "couldn't see you in my mirrors, you were too close" pissed me off, and I did point out I'd been following him for about a mile so surely he'd have noticed, plus it's his responsibility to check it's clear to reverse and he plainly didn't. Or pay any attention to the parking sensors fitted.......

Now to the question - my insurance policy state 4th Dimension are the agents appointed by Wiser Choice with whom I'm insured. Knowing the problems Menzies had with the small amount of damage on his BMW, what are my options? I did say to the driver I'd get a quote for replacement parts if he wanted to avoid informing insurance but he said his bumper is damaged and he wants to claim off mine. How the feck it's my fault when I had been stationary when he reversed into me I don't know, but no doubt it's not an option now to avoid insurers getting involved. I don't want to be without a bike for the rest of the summer while mine's in storage and I don't want a loan bike (and they probably won't be able to get an auto anyway), so what's the best/least costly option?

[Ruffian]

If he wants to go through insurance then cannot avoid it really.
If you have a witness/camera footage to prove stationary then Big bonus or even cctv footage nearby.

Otherwise some people may try and be dishonest.
Completely agree that should check clear before reversing etc.

If he is trying to claim off your insurance, when stationary etc then could be trying it on.

[Ming]

Unfortunately, there were no vehicles immediately behind me, the ones that were oncoming carried on as they would have been blocking the road otherwise and it's in a place with no houses around in a 60mph section. I just know it's gonna end up with both insurers paying out, as he's going to say I rode into the back of him

[bkingalan]

They had my super adventure after my off in Wales, they had it 6 months i kicked off about the time it was taking waiting for a rear brake pedal they finally agreed to bring the bike back and forward the pedal, the alleged scratch on the pedal was dirt i think they replaced loads of parts that didn't need doing
Told my current insurance company if they use 4th dimension I wouldn't go with them ,apparently you don't have to use who your company uses

[Jug]

Told my current insurance company if they use 4th dimension I wouldn't go with them ,apparently you don't have to use who your company uses

That was my understanding too.

Years ago I asked Bikesure about this as they use 4th Dimension it seems, which is a trading name of Markerstudy who in the car/van world are also shit.
I have looked but I can't find the response they gave me when I asked about them but I think at that time we were in a post covid parts shortage so they blamed it on that.

But with insurance there has generally always been the option of you deciding which garage sorts the repairs, they just make it a little more painful in one way or another if you choose that route. Like you having to pay your excess until it has been claimed back, stuff like that.

[Ming]

In an ideal world I'd get the damage agreed order the parts from Gliddons and use the bike in the meantime as it's still rideable. I think pretty much every insurance company uses 4th Dimension so we're all screwed.
I'm not injured, but my crash helmet took a ding to the back so I'll have to claim for that. I've got clothing cover but don't want to claim on my insurance as I'm not at fault, although I've a feeling he's going to claim otherwise

[bkingalan]

I was told that 4th dimension are tied in with a large bike breakers in the same vicinity in the west of London

[goatpants]

I feel your pain.... I had the same happen to me when about to trade my bike in and it got written off. Twas years back mind but a ball ache non the less.

[ptolemyx]

That's a complete ball ache pal. Arseholes like said driver are all too common. If you have his address Andy I could visit him and "encourage him to see sense"

[TLS-Moose]

Disclaimer: Now, I haven't had to claim of motor insurance for something like 20 years, so what I say has to be taken in light of that ........

I hate these "claims handler" companies whose only purpose is profit & driving up claim costs ......
So, you were stationary and he reversed into you? Do you have legal aid/uninsured loss recovery cover? If so, even though you're covered fully comprehensively, other than advising your insurance company of the incident you do not have to let them deal with your claim, as you are claiming off the third parties insurers ..... that means you do not have to let your insurers appoint 4th dimension - but you will have to deal with the claim yourself. What you will have to watch for is your insurer accepting a "knock for knock" settlement to expedite the claim cheaply without your acceptance. You will need to write to your insurer and refute all liability for the incident, setting out exactly why it shouldn't be knock-for-knock. You then pursue the other parties insurance for full settlement of your claim (given the newness of the bike, I'd be threatening them with requesting a brand new replacement bike as a starting point ........)

[Ming]

Quick update. Spoke to James at Gliddons and he suggested contacting McAms to handle everything. They've dealt with them before and it's been quick and seamless for authorising repairs etc. Also received a text from 3rd party's insurers stating he had admitted liability

They've offered a hire bike etc but McAms advised ignoring their requests and letting them deal with it. I'm hoping they'll collect the bike and take it to Gliddons to do the work. They have an MT09 with the auto box so that'll be fun

[ptolemyx]

That's good news. Must be a weight off your mind now it looks like you'll be getting the bike sorted in a reasonable manner and the van driver seems to have been honest and put his hands up.

[Jay]

4th Dimension handled my issue I had with my first FJR that I broke on the way back from Wales 23, I know that Rob had issues with them, but they were prompt, Maybe because the bike was written off and not like Rob's which was repaired?

[Kata]

Sounds like a result. I've had issues with 4th Dimemension. Eventually came out of it ahead but not before they tried to increase the price I had to pay to get my bike back (cat D).

I take it you dont have to claim for personal injury, helmet etc?

[Ming]

Yep, I will have claims for that, as I took most of the impact on the floor. Hip feels like it's been kicked by a horse and bashed the back of the helmet when I fell.
McAms are dealing with it and I'm having a Tracer 900 delivered Fri - I guess they'll take mine away then, and hopefully to my local dealer