Bikes involved in a flood.

[PatM]

Can you explain this to me, especially how if I have a lien on it I may be in luck?

When you insure a vehicle, you in fact insure the lender from loss of said vehicle. They, not you, will be paid first. This is why most lenders will require proof of insurance. The bank will, up to a point, be on your side.

[white26golf]

When you insure a vehicle, you in fact insure the lender from loss of said vehicle. They, not you, will be paid first. This is why most lenders will require proof of insurance. The bank will, up to a point, be on your side.

Yeah, all of this I understand, and I do have comprehensive coverage on all my bikes anyways.  For the last part, are you saying if they don't total it to get the bank involved to see if they will pressure the insurance company?  I am also in talks with several dealerships for a 2012 Vstrom should I need to trade the bike in to get rid of it, and there ballparks on the trade would more than cover the remaining loan amount.

[white26golf]

Value of bike under 5000?   If so, go to Small Claims court, usually cost under 50.00 to file a claim.  Let a local judge decide.  You can get free legal advice in most communities for this type of case if you need it.  Legal Aid Society.

If the dealership is a Better Business member you can see if the dealership has any complaints on record, and the BBB will mediate in most cases, if you desire this, at no cost to you.  

Dealership was flooded, right?  How are they handling the other bikes that were in for service, or where on the showroom floor?  replacing?  Repairing?  

If they plan to sell the flooded new bikes....let the state attorney General's office know, along with the division of consumer affairs.  I'm pretty sure they will have an opinion on the case as well.

Bottom line.....the more people you can get to contact the dealership, the better.  They don't want the bad publicity nor will they want the consumer action groups breathing down their necks.  They might just agree to pay you off just to get you to go away.  And.....none of this should cost you any money other than your time, phone calls, letters, and possibly some gas.

I thought about what they were doing with their new bikes as well, and if they were totaling them to use that as evidence in regards to the claim.  And if they were still going to sell them to "pressure" them under the guise of bad publicity to buy my bike from me.  The pressuring is a last result though, cause I really don't like to do that sort of thing, but in the end it's me against the world i guess.

[white26golf]

http://www.bbb.org/lakecharles/business-reviews/motorcycles-dealers/motion-cyclesports-in-deridder-la-5000023

Here is the link to their BBB page, looks like someone else filed a complaint 2 days after the flooding happened.  Wish I could get in touch with them to find out what their issue is.

[PatM]

Yeah, all of this I understand, and I do have comprehensive coverage on all my bikes anyways.  For the last part, are you saying if they don't total it to get the bank involved to see if they will pressure the insurance company?  I am also in talks with several dealerships for a 2012 Vstrom should I need to trade the bike in to get rid of it, and there ballparks on the trade would more than cover the remaining loan amount.

It depends, they may do that if they stand to loose.
If you trade it in, don't you have to declare it was flooded? I know that up here you have to, but laws differ.

[white26golf]

It depends, they may do that if they stand to loose.
If you trade it in, don't you have to declare it was flooded? I know that up here you have to, but laws differ.

I believe only if the bike requires a salvage title after it is all said and done.  However it only gets a salvage title if the repair cost is 75-90% of the value of the vehicle, then in that case it would also be grounds for a total loss.

[JTM]

Actually since I have comprehensive coverage, this is exactly how they may have screwed me.  More harm would not have hurt me in the least.  It is the "appearance" that the bike may be ok and possibly an inexperienced insurance adjuster is what will screw me in the long run.

Maybe, maybe not, most of the adjusters I have meet will look at what they did as an attemp to hide damage and will be more likely to total the bike.  The guys I know work for Farmers and State Farm, granted they also told me if the ecu was submerge it is totaled.


If they don't total it, I wouldn't accept any offer that didn't include a 3 year (unlimited mileage) $0 deductible warranty, an overhaul of the transmission by the shop of your choice, replacement of all axle bearings, a new chain, main wiring harness, and a new ECU.

You really needed to see the oil they drained and get some picture before they clean it up to present to the adjuster.

[white26golf]

Maybe, maybe not, most of the adjusters I have meet will look at what they did as an attemp to hide damage and will be more likely to total the bike.  The guys I know work for Farmers and State Farm, granted they also told me if the ecu was submerge it is totaled.


If they don't total it, I wouldn't accept any offer that didn't include a 3 year (unlimited mileage) $0 deductible warranty, an overhaul of the transmission by the shop of your choice, replacement of all axle bearings, a new chain, main wiring harness, and a new ECU.

You really needed to see the oil they drained and get some picture before they clean it up to present to the adjuster.

Good advice!  I am definitely glad I joined THIS forum!

[Kneescrubber]

Honestly, I still don't understand why you're dicking around with your insurance. If you make a claim on your insurance, I can guarantee you you're rates will go up. Your attention needs to be focused on the the shop that had your bike and what their insurance is willing to offer. If their offer is insufficient, then you talk to your insurance to make up the difference. Believe me, they'll work it out and hand you a monetary compensation for what your bike was worth at the time of the flood.

[white26golf]

Well, I am not exactly dicking around with my insurance.  They are getting my bike appraised, and meanwhile I am waiting (for one day) to get the business contact info for their insurance so I can find out from them what they will do.  Trust me, all of your guys advice is not falling on deaf ears.  I am using bits of everyone's advice in a timely order to garner the best results.  Sorry, I will keep you guys better informed from now on  

[RedCBRRider]

Almost sounds like some of you are confusing "synthetic" with "energy" conserving.
Wet clutches can take synthetic with no problems.
It's the "energy conserving" part of motor oils designed for cars that should not be used with motorcycle wet clutches.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

I have used Mobil 1 in my bikes for years with no problem at all.

[rgbeard]

You have insurance.

Have YOUR insurance company total the bike.  They sue the dealer.  Done.

[X1Glider]

You have insurance.

Have YOUR insurance company total the bike.  They sue the dealer.  Done.

Insurance companies are too lazy to do that.  Rather than get the lawyers involved on a case by case business, the different carriers just pay up out of their own pockets for the time being, then each quarter decide what other carrier is owed money, the a big check is cut.  Much easier for them to write one check every quarter.

[X1Glider]

As the OP's bike is likely not the only bike that was submerged, I would think that their insurance is covering something.  Even if they do not have flood insurance for covering "rising water", they can still be taken to civil court as the bike is in their possession and they have the obligation to return it to you at least in the condition it was brought in.  If they don't, the court will either make the shop bring it up to that condition or pay out if the cost would exceed the bike's value.

If the shop plans on selling bikes that were submerged, they could be looking a fraud for selling bikes in that state if they do not state that to the customer, who thinks they are buying a new/undamaged bike.  This is where the press can work in your favor.  A reporter might like a story of a shop trying to pull one over on the customers.  Holding that over the shop's head may make them change their tune about buying your bike for what it's worth or even replacement cost in order to shut your mouth.

It's not personal, just business.

[white26golf]

Ok, so here is the latest.  My insurance company has assigned the bike as a total loss, so now I should know in about 24-48 hrs what they value the bike at.  Thanks for all the advice guys.  I will keep you posted.

[atadaskew]

Ok, so here is the latest.  My insurance company has assigned the bike as a total loss, so now I should know in about 24-48 hrs what they value the bike at.  Thanks for all the advice guys.  I will keep you posted.

Excellent!  Goes against the shop's claim...

The store called me today, to tell me nothing was wrong with the V, they had drained, and flushed all fluids (read: changed the oil).

[white26golf]

Excellent news!  

Last time (well, only time) I had a bike totaled, they gave me markedly more than blue book value on it, and far more than I paid. Keep us apprised.  

Hey, don't jinx me!  Looking at a 2012 Vstrom for my next ride.

[white26golf]

So the end of the story is my Bank/ Insurance is paying me 4300 for the bike.  Not exactly more than it's worth, actually it's exactly what I valued it at after doing some research.  So it does look like a 2012 Vstrom is in my future!  Oh and if you guys meet the criteria, I highly recommend USAA for your banking and insurance needs!

[Kneescrubber]

So the end of the story is my Bank/ Insurance is paying me 4300 for the bike.  Not exactly more than it's worth, actually it's exactly what I valued it at after doing some research.  So it does look like a 2012 Vstrom is in my future!  Oh and if you guys meet the criteria, I highly recommend USAA for your banking and insurance needs!

I didn't realize USAA did banking. I'll have to look into that.  

Congratulations on the equitable outcome.

[veefer800canuck]

All's well that ends well.  


Now about that synthetic oil........