Repartition of bike if driver is ill

[wessie]

I too have the LV breakdown insurance as I'm pretty sure that it'll also recover an accident damaged bike1 as well. Must make sure before September!

Bear in mind my policy is the pared back one from a comparison site, so wording is different to the one sold direct, but my policy does cover accidental damage, although you might involve the bike insurer in certain circumstances.

"The vehicle is incapable of operation as a whole because of mechanical or electrical failure,
theft or attempted theft, vandalism, accidental damage, a flat tyre, a lack of fuel or incorrect
fuelling during the period of cover. Failure of any parts of the vehicle to function e.g. an
indicator, headlight, windscreen wiper or convertible roof does not constitute a breakdown
unless the failure causes the vehicle to be incapable of operating as a whole or is likely
to result in the driver being prosecuted for using a defective vehicle. The cover cannot be
used as an alternative to regular servicing or maintenance or as a way to avoid paying for
repairs."

scroll to the bottom of the page for latest wording of the schemes

https://www.britanniarescue.com/breakdown-cover/existing-customers.html#manage

 

[Wapping]

They wanted me to go to A&E - no chance, I could not walk!! ………… So I told them I'd do what I wanted and then argue with them later when I was home….

Probably not unreasonably, the policy required the OP to obtain medical confirmation that they were unfit or unable to drive and / or continue with their holiday.

Why is that?

It stops bods who, out of the blue, decide that they no longer want to go or be on holiday and fancy getting all or some of their money back, or simply can’t be arsed to drive / ride back and want a lift instead. So, they - like a naughty schoolboy, who doesn’t want to go to school that morning or a bikermate who fancies a day off work - say they are unwell.

Put simply, it happens. If in doubt, think how many posts there are on this forum, moaning how many people fake health problems in order to ‘Go on the sick’ and rip-off the government and / or other scams. As Wessie put it, by refusing to obtain any form of official medically qualified confirmation, the OP sealed their own fate. What to do, then? If you are not on the ferry, park the vehicle (and if necessary, the wife) and take a taxi to A&E or, if so unwell or in such pain, call an ambulance. If on the ferry, most decent ferries will have a doctor or suitable nurse onboard, able to confirm the sickness or injury and / or be able to arrange help on arrival. Use them. Or, to use the OP’s example, if it happens in Italy, do exactly what the insurer (not unreasonably) asks you to do…. Go to A&E or a doctor. Yup, it’s a pain in the arse (arguably covered too) but it’s the only way to meet the not unreasonable basic condition of the contract, that you’ve willingly - and knowingly - entered into when you paid the premium.

As regards recovery of the vehicle. The policy wording (ie the contract) the OP bought, apparently only covered recovery following an electrical or mechanical breakdown of the vehicle. The OP feeing or being unwell is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an electrical or mechanical breakdown of the vehicle. Unsurprisingly, the policy will not respond to the claim, any more than it would respond to say, a claim that it was now raining hard and the OP had left their waterproofs at home, 300 miles away.

In short, always read and understand the policies you have bought. They are all now very simply worded; there is no ‘small print’.

 

[Wapping]

I too have the LV breakdown insurance as I'm pretty sure that it'll also recover an accident damaged bike1 as well…..

Being ‘Pretty sure’ is (sadly) pretty close to “My mate says….” or “But I read on the internet, I think….”. Read the policy and change ‘Pretty sure’ into certainty, one way or another. Finding out now, is definitely better than possibly finding out later.

 

[karlp]

OK, here is my tail of woe

Last week I started a three week trip to Europe covering about 14 countries on the way ........................ I got as far as Canterbury

After just over 500 miles over two days (from Scotland) I got up to get the ferry and put my back out - that was it, biking over, I could barely walk let alone get my leg over a bike.

The reason for the thread is not sympathy however, I contacted my travel insurance company as I could not continue, and had to get myself, wife, and bike back to Scotland. They wanted me to go to A&E - no chance, I could not walk! So they would not help me or agree to anything as I was "not cooperating". I've had this a few times in the past, so I know what's it is and what happens, and sitting in A&E for 15 hours in agony after trying to get in and out of taxies and walk through their door was a non starter. So I told them I'd do what I wanted and then argue with them later when I was home and got a note from my own doctor - this was after 3 hours on the phone speaking to 7 people

The travel insurance company would not get the bike back home in any case as although I was unfit to continue, they did not cover the bike (through Carol Nash BTW). The breakdown cover I have through BMW would not cover the bike either, as it had not broken down, it was ridable, but I was injured, so neither of the two insurances I had for the trip would transport the bike back to Scotland, and I ended up getting a mate to come down and take it back in a van - god knows what would have happened if this had happened in the middle of Italy??

So what's the answer? has anyone come across insurance that covers this kind of eventuality?

I'm hoping to try again at the end of August depending how my back is, but would like to make sure I'm covered for this just in case

So how long were you / are you incapacitated and as you could not move did you stay where you were until able to return to Scotland.

If you were able to get in a ‘mates’ van and return to Scotland ,why could you not get a similar lift to A@E

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Probably not unreasonably, the policy required the OP to obtain medical confirmation that they were unfit or unable to drive and / or continue with their holiday.

Why is that?

It stops bods who, out of the blue, decide that they no longer want to go or be on holiday and fancy getting all or some of their money back, or simply can’t be arsed to drive / ride back and want a lift instead. So, they - like a naughty schoolboy, who doesn’t want to go to school that morning or a bikermate who fancies a day off work - say they are unwell.

Put simply, it happens. If in doubt, think how many posts there are on this forum, moaning how many people fake health problems in order to ‘Go on the sick’ and rip-off the government and / or other scams. As Wessie put it, by refusing to obtain any form of official medically qualified confirmation, the OP sealed their own fate. What to do, then? If you are not on the ferry, park the vehicle (and if necessary, the wife) and take a taxi to A&E or, if so unwell or in such pain, call an ambulance. If on the ferry, most decent ferries will have a doctor or suitable nurse onboard, able to confirm the sickness or injury and / or be able to arrange help on arrival. Use them. Or, to use the OP’s example, if it happens in Italy, do exactly what the insurer (not unreasonably) asks you to do…. Go to A&E or a doctor. Yup, it’s a pain in the arse (arguably covered too) but it’s the only way to meet the not unreasonable basic condition of the contract, that you’ve willingly - and knowingly - entered into when you paid the premium.

As regards recovery of the vehicle. The policy wording (ie the contract) the OP bought, apparently only covered recovery following an electrical or mechanical breakdown of the vehicle. The OP feeing or being unwell is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an electrical or mechanical breakdown of the vehicle. Unsurprisingly, the policy will not respond to the claim, any more than it would respond to say, a claim that it was now raining hard and the OP had left their waterproofs at home, 300 miles away.

In short, always read and understand the policies you have bought. They are all now very simply worded; there is no ‘small print’.

Sage advice
Read and comprehend the policy
Do people not read what they are buying ?

 

[Berin]

As above, it’s in the small print.
Here’s the salient sentence;

“covers driver illness”

However, as the OP didn’t comply with the insurance companies requests then I doubt they would have recovered him anyway.



Breakdown terms really do need to be read.

Only after doing a trip into Europe with Mrs Berin did I discover that not only would they not repatriate the bike in case of illness, they actually only cover (on the annual European family policy) 1 breakdown every 90 days.

Luckily nothing happened but it did prompt a change of breakdown provider.

 

[wessie]

Do people not read what they are buying ?

based on the number of queries here and other places, a large proportion seem to struggle with what is covered by their bike policy, and why it is wise if travelling overseas to have a personal travel policy to cover personal health matters and a separate breakdown policy that includes repatriation for the bike and passengers in the even the rider is incapacitated. The other one is the number of people who do not read policy definitions to understand the difference between a current medical matter from an accident and a personal accident that in insurance terms, is a lasting injury. This despite the insurance policy having an extensive glossary of terms at the start to define critical terms in the context of the contract (and not what some chap on the Clapham Omnibus argues based on what Samuel Johnson defined in 1755).

 

[Wapping]

So how long were you / are you incapacitated and as you could not move did you stay where you were until able to return to Scotland.

If you were able to get in a ‘mates’ van and return to Scotland ,why could you not get a similar lift to A@E

That is a very good question, the answer to which lies in the opening post. Because he:

….told them I'd do what I wanted

The italics are mine.

We have seen it many times on the forum; bods think they are so much cleverer than the insurer. Only to then find out that they are not. Or that, by shouting a lot, they can somehow advance their cause.

If, as it seems it was in the OP’s case, it is a basic and fully understandable, requirement of the policy, that any claim for compensation and / or assistance following injury or illness must be confirmed through an appropriate medical practitioner, then why would you refuse to comply? If he’d died (to use an extreme example) would his family have refused to produce a death certificate, when claiming under the policy? I’d suggest not.

No doubt the fellow was in pain, for whatever reason. No doubt he was unable to ride his bike and continue the holiday at that time. We can take his word for that, at least. But, we are not his insurer; his word does not trump a basic and not unreasonable condition of the policy ie. that illness or injury has to be independently confirmed. Instead of seeking the medical confirmation, as he “Couldn’t move….” * he arranged for a mate with a van to cart the bike back to Scotland. This was all based on nothing more than he thought he’d be faced with an extended wait in A&E, which he wanted to avoid. I can only guess that he (in agony) waited somewhere else and got on the blower to his mate…. Or got his wife to do it.

That he seemingly hadn’t read nor understood his Travel and apparently separate Motor Breakdown / Recovery policy, was just the icing on the cake. Hoping that they’ll both do exactly what you think (hope) they should do, is not a great place to start….. after the event.

Most insurers will be pretty cooperative when faced with logical requests. But, in order to reach this happy point, you must comply with the basics of the policy or cover might well not exist, as the OP discovered. Refuse to comply and you are literally entering into a world of self inflicted pain. Your only recourse then, is to post on a forum “The fuckers never pay”, which of course is absolute bollocks, as many other posts on this forum confirm, with bods very happy with their prompt and generous settlements.



* That alone might well justify a call for an ambulance. Or it’s an exaggeration of some sort. Who knows and it really makes no difference now.

PS At least try to understand the differences between a Travel policy, a Motor Breakdown / Recovery policy and a UK Motor policy; the latter being the only one compulsory by law. Too dull? OK, fair enough. Find out after the event, when it’s all too late. You’ll be doing plenty of reading and understanding then, trust me…..and you’ll probably be doing a lot of pointless shouting, too.

 

[Jezzer]

OK, here is my tail of woe

Last week I started a three week trip to Europe covering about 14 countries on the way ........................ I got as far as Canterbury

After just over 500 miles over two days (from Scotland) I got up to get the ferry and put my back out - that was it, biking over, I could barely walk let alone get my leg over a bike.

The reason for the thread is not sympathy however, I contacted my travel insurance company as I could not continue, and had to get myself, wife, and bike back to Scotland. They wanted me to go to A&E - no chance, I could not walk! So they would not help me or agree to anything as I was "not cooperating". I've had this a few times in the past, so I know what's it is and what happens, and sitting in A&E for 15 hours in agony after trying to get in and out of taxies and walk through their door was a non starter. So I told them I'd do what I wanted and then argue with them later when I was home and got a note from my own doctor - this was after 3 hours on the phone speaking to 7 people

The travel insurance company would not get the bike back home in any case as although I was unfit to continue, they did not cover the bike (through Carol Nash BTW). The breakdown cover I have through BMW would not cover the bike either, as it had not broken down, it was ridable, but I was injured, so neither of the two insurances I had for the trip would transport the bike back to Scotland, and I ended up getting a mate to come down and take it back in a van - god knows what would have happened if this had happened in the middle of Italy??

So what's the answer? has anyone come across insurance that covers this kind of eventuality?

I'm hoping to try again at the end of August depending how my back is, but would like to make sure I'm covered for this just in case

I have been concerned about bike recovery in the event of becoming ill / injured and unable to ride the bike onward and/or home. Neither my Bike Insurance Policy or Travel Insurance Policy specifically mention this and therefore I spoke to them over the telephone for further clarity - neither policy would recover my bike under these circumstances.

However, on page 13 of the the BMW 3 Year Warranty Policy it states that ...''If the only qualified rider travelling in the party is repatriated back to the UK of RoI due to illness, we will pay for the cost of an alternative rider to return your bike to your home address in the UK or RoI arrange and pay for the cost of returning the other passenger to their home in the UK or RoI...''. It goes on to say.....''If you experience any issues whilst travelling aboard with your bike, even if you encounter a legal or medical problem our experienced team of multi lingual staff will be able to provide you with practical help and advice.

I have written to BMW to ask them to clarify this to give me reassurance that this is binding, otherwise, I will be looking for a separate policy which specifically covers this scenario.

 

[Jesim1]

So how long were you / are you incapacitated and as you could not move did you stay where you were until able to return to Scotland.

If you were able to get in a ‘mates’ van and return to Scotland ,why could you not get a similar lift to A@E

I stayed at the hotel for another three days, I was not fit to travel before that, and I got into a van on the fourth day, which would not have been possible on day one as I could barley walk

 

[Jesim1]

Sage advice
Read and comprehend the policy
Do people not read what they are buying ?

Yes, but I had not come across a situation like this before, and I'll wager 90% of people on here who tour do not have this specific cover as we all get travel insurance, and breakdown insurance, but both in many cases leave the "gap" I'm asking about

As for not doing what the insurance company wanted me to do - I could not, I was in too much pain, and didn't want to put myself through the stupid trip and ridiculous wait in A&E. To be quite frank, I've now got a letter stating I'm unfit to ride from my doctor, and will pursue a claim, I can't see it being a problem as I have all the paperwork, but even if it is, I would still do the same again, and so would you if you knew what it felt like to have this happen to you, it's easy to criticise when you not the one in pain, but this is a great leveler

 

[Jesim1]

That is a very good question, the answer to which lies in the opening post. Because he:



The italics are mine.

We have seen it many times on the forum; bods think they are so much cleverer than the insurer. Only to then find out that they are not. Or that, by shouting a lot, they can somehow advance their cause.

If, as it seems it was in the OP’s case, it is a basic and fully understandable, requirement of the policy, that any claim for compensation and / or assistance following injury or illness must be confirmed through an appropriate medical practitioner, then why would you refuse to comply? If he’d died (to use an extreme example) would his family have refused to produce a death certificate, when claiming under the policy? I’d suggest not.

No doubt the fellow was in pain, for whatever reason. No doubt he was unable to ride his bike and continue the holiday at that time. We can take his word for that, at least. But, we are not his insurer; his word does not trump a basic and not unreasonable condition of the policy ie. that illness or injury has to be independently confirmed. Instead of seeking the medical confirmation, as he “Couldn’t move….” * he arranged for a mate with a van to cart the bike back to Scotland. This was all based on nothing more than he thought he’d be faced with an extended wait in A&E, which he wanted to avoid. I can only guess that he (in agony) waited somewhere else and got on the blower to his mate…. Or got his wife to do it.

That he seemingly hadn’t read nor understood his Travel and apparently separate Motor Breakdown / Recovery policy, was just the icing on the cake. Hoping that they’ll both do exactly what you think (hope) they should do, is not a great place to start….. after the event.

Most insurers will be pretty cooperative when faced with logical requests. But, in order to reach this happy point, you must comply with the basics of the policy or cover might well not exist, as the OP discovered. Refuse to comply and you are literally entering into a world of self inflicted pain. Your only recourse then, is to post on a forum “The fuckers never pay”, which of course is absolute bollocks, as many other posts on this forum confirm, with bods very happy with their prompt and generous settlements.



* That alone might well justify a call for an ambulance. Or it’s an exaggeration of some sort. Who knows and it really makes no difference now.

PS At least try to understand the differences between a Travel policy, a Motor Breakdown / Recovery policy and a UK Motor policy; the latter being the only one compulsory by law. Too dull? OK, fair enough. Find out after the event, when it’s all too late. You’ll be doing plenty of reading and understanding then, trust me…..and you’ll probably be doing a lot of pointless shouting, too.

Bravo for totally missing the point

It's easy to sit back and be a keyboard warrior while not being helpful at all

All the stuff your critical of is about background, and I'll sort it now I'm home, the post asked a simple question, which you ignored and went straight into "holier than thou" mode. One of the first things I said was the thread was not for sympathy, it was for help going forward:

"The travel insurance company would not get the bike back home in any case as although I was unfit to continue, they did not cover the bike (through Carol Nash BTW). The breakdown cover I have through BMW would not cover the bike either, as it had not broken down, it was ridable, but I was injured, so neither of the two insurances I had for the trip would transport the bike back to Scotland, and I ended up getting a mate to come down and take it back in a van - god knows what would have happened if this had happened in the middle of Italy??

So what's the answer? has anyone come across insurance that covers this kind of eventuality?"

Christ, some of you guys need to get out more.

 

[Wapping]

The best help going forward, is to seek to activate the cover you have got, by going to A&E, as requested by the insurer, rather than mope about for three days, over the cover you haven’t got.

But no, you’d rather sit in a hotel for three days, waiting for the cavalry (mate in a van) to ride over the horizon.

And yup, next time you’ll be ready, I’m sure.

But, when you do secure the Motor Breakdown Recovery policy, with its illness extension (or a Travel policy with a vehicle recovery extension, following illness or injury) 10 to 1 says, that in order to activate the extension, you’ll need to seek confirmation from a suitably qualified medical practitioner as to your fitness or otherwise to drive / ride (and provide it to the insurer) before the extension activates.

Of course, if that is what you’d prefer not to do, that’s your choice. 20-1 says that no insurer will accept your call saying, “But I am not well, get me, my wife and vehicle home…. And no, I ain’t going to see a doctor to confirm it now, as I don’t want to risk waiting in A&E, thank you very much”.



Here’s something to get you started. Do though note the second paragraph. In short “I don’t want to go to A&E” ain’t going to butter any parsnips.


It’s AI generated, so proceed with a small degree of caution, please.

 

[karlp]

Bravo for totally missing the point

It's easy to sit back and be a keyboard warrior while not being helpful at all

All the stuff your critical of is about background, and I'll sort it now I'm home, the post asked a simple question, which you ignored and went straight into "holier than thou" mode. One of the first things I said was the thread was not for sympathy, it was for help going forward:

"The travel insurance company would not get the bike back home in any case as although I was unfit to continue, they did not cover the bike (through Carol Nash BTW). The breakdown cover I have through BMW would not cover the bike either, as it had not broken down, it was ridable, but I was injured, so neither of the two insurances I had for the trip would transport the bike back to Scotland, and I ended up getting a mate to come down and take it back in a van - god knows what would have happened if this had happened in the middle of Italy??

So what's the answer? has anyone come across insurance that covers this kind of eventuality?"

Christ, some of you guys need to get out more.

i doubt you will ever find an insurance policy to cover this.
They will all want some sort of professional assessment to confirm what you are saying.

If my house burns down and i claim they are not going to just send me a large cheque - someone will come and have a look to confirm my claim.
If you had crashed your bike - it would get assessed

How do they know you have a legitimate claim or just a con artist

 

[Wapping]

How do they know you have a legitimate claim or just a con artist

They employ mind readers. Amazing, but true.

 

[dicktheleg]

Very relevant topic for me.

I’ve just had a retina detach in France, medical care superb and insurers were great.

However. Absolutely no cover for the bike because breakdown and accident cover doent cover rider illness and travel insurance doesn’t cover a perfectly functioning bike.

So I’ve had to seek help from a wonderful friend in France who recovered bike and is storing it for me.

Other thing is what do you do with all your gear. 2 full sets of gear In our case.

Any relay recovery service is bound to lose or damage stuff even if they agree to recover it too.

Interesting dilemma….