Accidentally Bumped car's side mirror

[w00t]

2 weeks back while approaching a traffic junction, I am sure most people here just ride between the cars to the front. So in the midst of that, my handlebar bumped into this car's side mirror accidentally, so I paused and signaled an apology gesture.

 

This car took the same route as me the for next 5 minutes, I guess to note me down, but didn't stop me to ask anything.

 

Today I received a call from NTUC, saying this guy wants to claim me for an "ACCIDENT" which happened that day :\

 

1. I seriously do not think this is an accident at all as my bike is in perfect condition with no destruction to my hand guards, except for some scratches from leaning on wall months ago.

 

2. Why don't this worm just stop me on the spot for any queries he has, but this worm has decided to increase the insurance company's work and in turn increases our overall insurance premiums which is already escalating yearly or maybe quarterly? :\

 

Anyone with such situations care to share some insights? or some tips on how to counter this worm? I dont mind losing my NCD as its just only a $50 or off my total price.

 

However I do not want to let this ******* get away with probably a $1000 full paint job for a small mark on the side of his mirrors, which is what I usually hear around.

 

Thanks.

[w00t]

no one has a say on this?

 

I think this is totally ridiculous. what kind of accident is this? as it happens all the time, probably many people would had died from such an "accident" lol. My guess is that the insurers probably don't ride a bike and may give a biased conclusion.

[kmax]

i think it's very common for inflated claims... Since the other party has submitted the claim, you just report to your insurance about the incident and better went for inspection (too bad your handguard is not in 100% perfect condition)

[BLACK COMET]

If I'm not wrong. There's no written black and white that says u are the cause of the accident.

 

The letter that you recieve usually inform u that another party is gonna claim ur insurance.

Not sure NTUC style of contents for the letter is like.

 

But do give ur insurer a call and check what is going on.

 

If the Insurer says the other party is claiming you a full paint job.

Then u can ask. How could the damage warrant a new paint job when there's no damaged to your bike?

 

U do not need to be very nasty or rude to ur insurer. They are supposed to help you. KWAI LANG with them only

when they are not helping you as they should be.

 

U can also ask them if you need any external surveyor to verify the condition of the bike. Question them who is going to foot for the surveyor bill.

Lament to then if anybody any how accuse you. won't all bikers be broke in no time?

 

See what is their respond.

 

But do take note lah. NTUC is know to be not doing their job most of the time. That is why I will rather pay more and get mitsui.

 

Having say all this. Next time just be more careful lah. No vehicle owner like to have their mirror knocked.

 

I knock 2 car mirror before. most new car have spring loaded mirror. So usually no damaged one.

 

My side mirror also kanna knock by a car before. I was travelling slow, lane splitting in a jam.

That joker Lancer was impatient come fast from behind cut my side. and his mirror knock onto my mirror hard. I almost loose control.

Also lan lan. Too jam to chase after. My mirror was scratch and loose. No damaged. Just need tighten up.

[BLACK COMET]

If I'm not wrong. There's no written black and white that says u are the cause of the accident.

 

The letter that you recieve usually inform u that another party is gonna claim ur insurance.

Not sure NTUC style of contents for the letter is like.

 

But do give ur insurer a call and check what is going on.

 

If the Insurer says the other party is claiming you a full paint job.

Then u can ask. How could the damage warrant a new paint job when there's no damaged to your bike?

 

U do not need to be very nasty or rude to ur insurer. They are supposed to help you. KWAI LANG with them only

when they are not helping you as they should be.

 

U can also ask them if you need any external surveyor to verify the condition of the bike. Question them who is going to foot for the surveyor bill.

Lament to then if anybody any how accuse you. won't all bikers be broke in no time?

 

See what is their respond.

 

But do take note lah. NTUC is know to be not doing their job most of the time. That is why I will rather pay more and get mitsui.

 

Having say all this. Next time just be more careful lah. No vehicle owner like to have their mirror knocked.

 

I knock 2 car mirror before. most new car have spring loaded mirror. So usually no damaged one.

 

My side mirror also kanna knock by a car before. I was travelling slow, lane splitting in a jam.

That joker Lancer was impatient come fast from behind cut my side. and his mirror knock onto my mirror hard. I almost loose control.

Also lan lan. Too jam to chase after. My mirror was scratch and loose. No damaged. Just need tighten up.

[IvikaRazI]

Did you take note on the Car's make and model? I know some cars they are using the electronic version of the side mirrors. Costly to replace. If its a slight knock, It should not even damage the mirrors and its function at all.

 

Anyway, its a difficult case to pursue (to me la) since got no detail of the rider and if so there is a debate if the car driver really got the license plate of the bike correctly. If you want to make the situation more difficult. Some lawyers are really good at this...hehehe

[w00t]

i think it's very common for inflated claims... Since the other party has submitted the claim, you just report to your insurance about the incident and better went for inspection (too bad your handguard is not in 100% perfect condition)

 

Thanks for the opinion, I realized my handguards not in 100% perfect conditions, but do you think they would accept proofs I have such as pictures to show that the condition was already sustained before the date of this "incident", so they would not make wild conclusions based on the assessment center's sole decision based on what they see?

 

The downs of riding a bike, getting bullied by large vehicles all the time, yet being perceived as the one that bullies. But I would still ride a bike for life, yeah.

[w00t]

haha thanks for all the inputs, I've considered some of them as well such as the spring loaded mirrors, and the possibility of a ridiculous claim amount Now I shall just hope that this person will fail his claims.

 

I did not take much notice of this vehicle after the bump, just that I remembered he followed me for quite a distant, without stopping me and now suddenly sends me a flying knife at the back haha.

[w00t]

haha thanks for all the inputs, I've considered some of them as well such as the spring loaded mirrors, and the possibility of a ridiculous claim amount Now I shall just hope that this person will fail his claims.

 

I did not take much notice of this vehicle after the bump, just that I remembered he followed me for quite a distant, without stopping me and now suddenly sends me a flying knife at the back haha.

[Nick_Lee]

not sure if this will help, i think you can approach this from 2 POV.

1) Act blur, live longer: Deny that anything thing happened, there are no damages to your bike. the car's side mirrors might be too low for your handle guards, go check before you take this option.

2) Admit and pay: i think 1K for a spray is too much, but this is the culture in singapore which i really don't like, i was the victim of a Taxi uncle also. he wanted to claim 20K off me, end up i win... but N*** still charge me... LOL... so i am pretty sure i won't be choosing them as my insurer in future. lucky i have the witness statement, can you imagine?? they didn't even bother to investigate? tsk tsk...

 

Consider your options carefully, i have been a victim once too. i wish you luck, ride safe.

[ohayo]

I will act blur and refute his claim. Obviously he is an ass and try to inflate the claim to his benefit. What an ass.

 

Firstly in car camera cannot take video from that angle. He will have no video footage.

 

Secondly i will say if i bump his side mirror, that bound to have mark of paint on my bike. Or mark on his car mirror. If don have, nothing to claim against me.

 

Thirdly if the damage was really bad, he would definitely stop me and asked for my particular. Following me just doesnt cut in the logic.

[w00t]

Thanks all, but I am afraid this ******* may have some witness so i provided ntuc with the following:

 

1. Its normal for motorcyclists to ride between cars, and most motorcyclists would had at least bump to a car's mirror once a year.

 

2. No paint/chip marks on my motorbike.

 

3. I guess this is the biggest help I would have. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/suzuki-recalling-sx4-models-for-faulty-side-view-mirror-screws/

 

 

However I realize it is true that N*** behaves like how everyone here has mentioned, the claims officer seems to speak to me in a manner like "car-is-the-biggest-F", when he called to find out more from me. He talks like he's trying to push the blame to me because there is a "collision". Maybe they have a SOP to follow which I think don't make sense or is biased towards a non-accident like this.

[crankcase]

It's too bad you already admitted to the incident - acting blur would have been the best choice for this kind of minor incident.

 

Ask to see proof of damage assessment, and proof of how the damage claimed was caused by your bike.

 

I once whacked a Honda Civic (new model) on the mirror while overtaking on the expressway, going quite fast. The mirror shattered, the casing was bent back. Clearly a case for replacing the whole mirror. I stopped and exchanged particulars with the driver of course. He was a nice guy, asked if I was ok. Called me a couple of days later and told me the bill would come to $80. So unless this guy's car is painted with solid gold, I'm not sure where he's getting his $1000 figure from

 

If your insurer is being unhelpful or lazy, then play hard ball with them. Ask to see the accident report, call the TP hotline and ask what you can do in this case. You already stopped and apologised, if the driver wanted to claim it as an accident, he should have spoken to you then and there. This is harassment, and there's no reason you should have to put up with it.

[crankcase]

It's too bad you already admitted to the incident - acting blur would have been the best choice for this kind of minor incident.

 

Ask to see proof of damage assessment, and proof of how the damage claimed was caused by your bike.

 

I once whacked a Honda Civic (new model) on the mirror while overtaking on the expressway, going quite fast. The mirror shattered, the casing was bent back. Clearly a case for replacing the whole mirror. I stopped and exchanged particulars with the driver of course. He was a nice guy, asked if I was ok. Called me a couple of days later and told me the bill would come to $80. So unless this guy's car is painted with solid gold, I'm not sure where he's getting his $1000 figure from

 

If your insurer is being unhelpful or lazy, then play hard ball with them. Ask to see the accident report, call the TP hotline and ask what you can do in this case. You already stopped and apologised, if the driver wanted to claim it as an accident, he should have spoken to you then and there. This is harassment, and there's no reason you should have to put up with it.

[kimmeng]

act blur, live longer.

[tionghan]

dun worry too much, both of you need to submit your story.. put it in a way its not ya fault and he cant claim u..

[kuwaiyert]

like others say, act blur and deny... the best way... because the claim had be made by other party and before things get worst den u shud asked your insurer's advise in a situation that you are now a victim of false claim and you don wana pay.. ..

[mootchambers]

You sure it wasn't the car that bumped into your handlebar? Some car drivers don't see smaller vehicles very well.

[k0pio]

You sure it wasn't the car that bumped into your handlebar? Some car drivers don't see smaller vehicles very well.

 

smart...very smart. haha!