In June I went cycling in the Alps and purchased a Specialised Roubaix Expert 2017 for this trip ( Retail about £3k+ ). Did a couple of days cycling fell off and damaged the frame so it was no longer possible to cycle it.
Before I went I took out cycle insurance, I have seen repair jobs on carbon frames in the past and have never been happy. Plus it massively devalues them and I lose my lifetime warranty.
The Insurance company insisted it was repaired despite my multiple concerns and asking for a replacement frame. It took until a few weeks ago to get the bike back. And it is quite bumpy around where the damage happened and the paintwork whilst good is very obviously not original.
I would like some advise on how I should proceed with this, since the insurance itself is rather expensive and my nice new bike has taken 5 months to get back and I am really not happy with the work.
It’s hard to tell from your pictures but it looks like a decent repair job, is your issue the border between the orange and the black? I think your only comeback would be if your policy specified replacement.
Apart from the random hole I can’t really see what you’re complaining about, all looks pretty neat in your photos. Take some shitter photos so we can get angry like you pls.
As I said the paintwork is generally good, but looks nothing like original, its all a bit wonky and not quite straight with white edges and textured where the repair has happened.
Since I will never be able to sell this bike again without taking a massive hit and I will have lost my lifetime warranty.
I am just coming here for advice to see if its worth chasing up. The relevant bits I can find in my policy document are as follows.
WE WILL PAY FOR
We will pay up to the amount shown in the schedule for any loss or damage within the territorial limits
to your bike, accessories, bike box or personal possessions.
We agree to pay you the amount of your claim (less any excess and subject to the sums
insured shown in your schedule.
b) If you agree, we may arrange for any bike, cycling related personal possessions or
accessories which have been lost or damaged to be repaired or replaced by a specialist
dealer of our choice who will invoice us directly for the repairs or replacement. If you are able
to obtain matching or better terms from a reputable supplier of your choice that is prepared to
invoice us directly for the items which have been lost or damaged then we agree to pay the
supplier you have chosen. We reserve the right to benefit from any discount or special terms
obtained from the supplier selected.
c) If we do not replace or repair the bike, we will pay for the loss or damage in cash.
Please explain why I would drill a hole in a my own bike frame?
I do not know if that was an essential part of the repair or why it is even there, is there any good reason a hole would need drilling for a carbon repair?
I am simply looking to see if it is worth chasing up based on information I have provided, or to simply suck it and accept it for what it is.
If you haven’t already, explain your concerns to the insurer (politely) and ask if there’s anything else they’re willing to do.
I’d focus on it being a brand new bike and presumably insured for the full value, which has now been significantly reduced by the crash and repair.
This suggestion is coming from a customer service perspective rather than a legal one. Get them on your side and avoid accusations, e.g. saying the repair isn’t good enough.
If they’re still unwilling to help, maybe try citizen’s advice, or hope one of STW’s resident lawyers weighs in?
I’m not a lawyer, but my reading of that document is that your easy option of replacement ended when you accepted a repair although the repair must put you back in the position you were previously.
If the hole wasn’t there prior to the repair, I’d refuse to accept the frame personally. Maybe if it was an older frame I’d be a little more prepared to accept, but if it was only a couple of weeks old then frankly repair was a poor offer anyway. I’d probably start looking for another insurer, too.
The hole was there; it’s called a “sight hole” and marks the minimum seatpost insertion depth, it was just probably masked/sealed by the frame size sticker previously.
From what I can see, as soon as you accept they are going to repair it at a place of their choice, unless you offer a viable alternative it’s game set and match to the insurer.
You could try the, I don’t like the standard of the job line, if you like.
Other than that, you’ve crashed a bike, gone with insurance and got it fixed. Why didn’t you go to Specialized and check on their crash replacement policy before you went down the insurance route, they’re normally pretty good with things like that.
I didn’t even know you could get insurance for that sort of thing. As far as I was aware, you crash it, you live with the damage.
Just say you’re not happy with the finish, as you aren’t. I’m not sure you can argue a repaired frame puts you in worse position than a replacement based on resale value. I’m sure the insurance is designed to keep your bike functional, not valuable.
Man, how can you ride a bike with a slightly wobbly paint finish! It must feel terrible. Bikes have to be immaculate or they just ain’t worth riding.
Contact insurers and demand recompense!
Posted 6 years ago
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