Should I Claim Insurance or Is It Better to Keep Quiet?

brettule on 15/08/2024 - 16:51

My motorcycle was nicked from my garage. My roller door faces a laneway at the back. I was in the garage, went into the house for 10 mins, left the door open and an opportunistic thief took it while I had my back turned. Key was still in the ignition because I'd just wheeled it in after washing it. Lesson learned.

The bike was insured for $3k, excess is $400. I had only just insured it (it's a classic bike) for $100 fully comp. My policy says nothing about it being void if I left keys in, but ppl tell me you just say to the insurers that the key wasn't in it. Notified cops. They tell me to kiss the bike goodbye.

I'm an old person, never had the need to make an insurance claim on anything in my life, my premiums on my other cars and my house are all pretty standard prices. If I make a claim on my moto, do I become a risk to all my other insurers and do my premiums go up? If they do, could that outweigh the $2600 Id get in my pocket from making this claim? How does the insurance claim and my risk status work and am I better off claiming or not in the long run?

Thanks bargainers

Automotive Insurance Motorcycle

Comments

  • Jaduqimon on 15/08/2024 - 17:13
    +26

    So why did you buy comprehensive insurance if you are not intending to use it? I mean this is a total loss claim, not a scratch/small ding. What event were you waiting for to actually make a claim??? Next time just get 3rd party then…

    • brettule on 15/08/2024 - 17:55

      My mob don't do 3rd party for classics and 3rd party from a non-classic insurer was much higher than $100. So it was cheaper to just get fully comp when all I wanted was 3rd party. So do I simply cancel my insurance and treat it as a 3rd party stolen bike, or do I claim the amount and if so what's the consequences?

      • R-Man on 15/08/2024 - 20:00
        -5

        Do not cancel your insurance. Make a claim that bike was stolen. I believe details of the event should match the police report (correct me if im wrong) so you may have dug a hole for yourself if you shared too much.

        To your other question about consequences such as increased premiums: next time you apply for insurance you go to a different provider if you can, and when they ask about claims in the past 3 years you can just tick No.

        • larndis on 16/08/2024 - 08:04
          +4

          So you're recommending lying on an insurance application?

          • A-mak on 16/08/2024 - 10:24

            @larndis: Aami have an additional excess of $400 if the driver had an at fault claim within the time limit.

          • donga100 on 16/08/2024 - 10:49
            +1

            @larndis: How is it a lie? The bike was stolen.

            • PrinceOfWhales on 16/08/2024 - 12:22
              +3

              @donga100: it was referring to this line

              "and when they ask about claims in the past 3 years you can just tick No"

              • donga100 on 16/08/2024 - 13:49
                +1

                @PrinceOfWhales: Fair call. That's definitely a good way of getting your future claims denied and banned from buying insurance. There are only a few different underwriters in Australia and they do share information with each other.

            • larndis on 16/08/2024 - 13:37

              @donga100: What PrinceOfWhales said

          • R-Man on 17/08/2024 - 08:15

            @larndis: ticking no is an option is all im saying. you can all gather and congratulate yourselves for achieving some sort of moral nirvana, at the same time as you handover more money to insurers who dont know their arse from their elbow.

            • larndis on 17/08/2024 - 09:39

              @R-Man: Yes sure, lying on any insurance application is always an option. But if you don't want future claims denied, not a good one.

              Nothing to do with moral high ground, just common sense. Lying will invalidate your insurance, so you're actually just paying for nothing. If you want to congratulate yourself for that, go ahead.

              • R-Man on 17/08/2024 - 16:39

                @larndis: Fair enough. Your common sense sounded a lot like moral preaching.

                You've been told to believe in those consequences, but I know plenty of people who do tick that box and have for the last 10-15 years with nothing denied, nothing invalidated. We give too much credit to "the system" that's out to catch us. It's just not that switched on.

    • mookieconster on 16/08/2024 - 07:50

      This is exactly the kind of reply I expected at the top. The OP is just asking for help comparing claiming vs. future premium increases, but instead we get this holier-than-thou (profanity) reply.

  • pharkurnell on 15/08/2024 - 17:15
    +15

    Agree with above..

    If you claim your premiums will go up.
    If you dont claim they will still go up

    YMMV

  • Murkymerv on 15/08/2024 - 17:26
    +1

    I guess if you can write it off in your own mind , I couldn’t afford to do that myself . Just be honest with the insurance company just in case it turns up (motorcycle) .

    • Ryanek on 16/08/2024 - 09:40
      -1

      That bike is already half way to Dubai

      • brettule on 16/08/2024 - 09:42
        -1

        I thought they'd either just tamper with the VIN and change 1 digit or maybe strip it and part it out?

        • Euphemistic on 17/08/2024 - 06:53

          It may have just bwen oppotunistic and end up dumped in someones backyard. If that persons house is raided they may find it

  • Hellfire on 15/08/2024 - 17:29
    -4

    The insurance company will ask you to send them your keys if they write it off.

    • Jake D on 15/08/2024 - 17:40
      +7

      lol no they won't

      • Hellfire on 15/08/2024 - 18:18
        -2

        Happened to me

        • Euphemistic on 15/08/2024 - 19:05
          +2

          For a theft? Or written off damage? Salvage auctions would want keys if available and ECU etc is worth more with the keys.

          • Hellfire on 15/08/2024 - 19:43

            @Euphemistic: Theft. They wanted both sets of keys (as that is what the car was sold with)

            • JDMcarfan on 15/08/2024 - 20:47
              +2

              @Hellfire: theyre just trying to maximise value for their wreck, doesn't mean you need to have it. Plenty lose keys or buy with just the one.
              OP can just say he left the keys lying in the garage on the workbench when he/she went to the bathroom and it was stolen.

      • WT on 16/08/2024 - 07:41

        I was asked for the key, i guess if it actually turns up, its better to have it then not as auctioning off with a key is better

    • donga100 on 15/08/2024 - 18:26

      Keys were stolen when the thief broke into the house.

      • Murkymerv on 16/08/2024 - 05:01

        Police report please ?

        • donga100 on 16/08/2024 - 10:50

          Of course. OP already said they reported it to the police.

    • Slinky0111 on 16/08/2024 - 23:29

      My first bike was written off as well for damage. Had very minimal damage, low kms just had a crack in the frame.

      Went onto a tilt tray without keys. Received a phone call a few weeks later asking me ro post them in to the auctions but never did.

  • djones145 on 15/08/2024 - 17:34
    -3

    you should have really started it with "my friend"
    rookie mistake
    the insurers monitor ozbargain forums

  • Euphemistic on 15/08/2024 - 19:07
    +1

    They dont have to know the keys were in it. Its also possible they found the keys in your garage.

    Why not claim?

    • donga100 on 15/08/2024 - 19:42
      +6

      It's not even untrue. The keys were in the garage along with the bike.

      • Euphemistic on 15/08/2024 - 20:13
        +1

        Not much different to someone grabbing your keys off the kitchen bench while youre hanging out ther washing.

  • JIMB0 on 15/08/2024 - 19:09

    When they find it dumped at the bottom of a lake with the keys in it they'll ask questions.

  • solidussnake on 15/08/2024 - 19:37
    +3

    Had my friends car at redland bay get stolen, partner had left for work and left the front door unlocked and took the keys from inside and was later used in a ramraid in the goldy, insurance fully paid them out.

  • brotherfranciz on 15/08/2024 - 20:19
    +11

    First off - sorry that this happened to you. It's extremely disappointing that some shithead would do this.

    Make the insurance claim and be honest. Definitely get a police report to document it (the insurers will ask for it).

    People leave keys everywhere all the time - thieves and insurers shouldn't get a free pass just because the keys are laying around within your private property.

    If an owner left their bike running in the street, then yeah maybe there is some culpability on the owner's part, but you had your bike within the curtilage of your property so the thief had to enter private property to get to it.

  • AustriaBargain on 15/08/2024 - 21:33

    Is the bike worth more than 3k? If you had to buy another one that was the same and had all the things you liked how much would it cost.

  • brettule on 15/08/2024 - 21:53
    -1

    It's a classic, there aren't any left to buy to replace it.

    • kiitos on 16/08/2024 - 08:24

      What do you plan to do - Get a different classic bike? Different non classic bike? Don't get another bike at all?

      • brettule on 16/08/2024 - 08:28
        +1

        Different non-classic, I've got my eye on a model that is less powerful and more practical for my current needs. $6 - $7k second hand. I'd get either 3rd party or not insure at all depending on the costs.

        • donga100 on 16/08/2024 - 10:52

          or not insure at all

          Eagerly awaiting next forum post from OP

  • Gamer Dad Reviews on 15/08/2024 - 22:52
    +6

    Mate if you're not going to claim insurance in this case then there's no point in you even having insurance in the future.
    Its not illegal improper to leave the keys inside the vehicle while the vehicle is on your property.
    Its also not illegal or improper to leave the garage door rolled up while you're still on your property in person.
    The fault lies 100% with the thief and you are 100% covered by insurance.

    By the way, what a disgraceful reply by the police. What even is the purpose of the police force nowadays?
    I heard today that in the UK, the police over there haven't solved a burglary case in 3 years.
    But don't worry, they're willing to arrest you so that you can be sent to jail for 2 years for saying on facebook that illegal immigrants need to be deported…
    Smdh.

    • Captain Musty on 16/08/2024 - 10:05
      -1

      … I heard today that in the UK, the police over there haven't solved a burglary case in 3 years.

      What a stupid statement to make.
      If you don't know what you're talking about, don't even mention it. It just displays your ignorance.

      "…I heard today…". Who told you, your dog?

      What an idiot!

  • mookieconster on 16/08/2024 - 07:42
    +2

    First of all, I don't think vehicle insurance claims are connected to home insurance, etc..

    If you have multiple vehicles under your name I see your point of weighing the loss of the bike vs how the claim is going to affect future premiums.

    Just go online and get some vehicle insurance quotes. Get a quote with a past at fault claim and one without a claim. The claim will affect the premium for 3 or 5 years depending on the insurer which you can find in the quote process as well. Now factor in the number of vehicles and you should be able to make an informed decision.

    • brettule on 16/08/2024 - 08:23
      +3

      Thanks! I knew I'd eventually get someone helpful to respond.

  • Dorge on 16/08/2024 - 09:53

    Roll the dice, tell them you left the keys in. Then let fate decide if the insurance covers the loss/premiums increase.

    • brettule on 16/08/2024 - 10:08
      +1

      Pretty sure this site is dedicated to the best deals and bargains, not suck it and see how much it costs.

      • Taro Milk Tea on 16/08/2024 - 11:16
        -1

        Pretty sure this site is dedicated to the best deals and bargains

        case closed

  • payless69 on 16/08/2024 - 10:44
    -5

    key in ignition

    Lol,
    lol
    lol

    pay the police fine now!

  • geekcohen on 16/08/2024 - 11:21
    -2

    Insurance will do nothing because you left the key in it and it was unsecure.

    Seen it before, someone left their keys in the car whilst popping into a Cemetary to lay flowers. Within 10 mins, car was gone. Not covered by Insurance because the keys were left in the vehicle.

    • Euphemistic on 17/08/2024 - 06:58
      -1

      Thats in a public place where it is illegal to leave a vehicle unsecured. In your garage can be different.

      • geekcohen on 17/08/2024 - 12:22
        -1

        A cemetary is also a public place., so you leave the keys in it regardless, you'll be out of luck.

  • Tigercjn on 16/08/2024 - 12:11
    -1

    Surely, they would cover you if you had just hopped off the bike and the thief jumped on and took off.

    I think the same is true for carjacking. If someone pulled you out of the car and jumped in, you would have to be covered.

    You rushed inside, saying to go to the toilet, and then came out 10 minutes later to unpack the bike and secure it; I think it would be insured.

    I would ring them and ask them. A lot of bikers get off their bikes without taking the key out, as they then take off their helmets, leathers, gloves, and such. Eventually, they grab the key; just check with the insurance, ask them, and they will give you free advice on your particular policy.

  • md333 on 16/08/2024 - 12:23
    +1

    As a single data point, I made a claim for a written off car (parking brake not applied properly) and it made no difference to my premiums.
    I suspect younger drivers are seeing big increases after claims (particularly at fault), but one claim in a long insurance history doesn't make a difference. Or maybe I was just lucky.

    • geekcohen on 17/08/2024 - 12:23
      -1

      Or maybe I was just lucky.

      More likely this.

  • ilove on 18/08/2024 - 12:00
    -1

    Your premium will go up if you claim….

  • DazMon on 20/08/2024 - 21:40

    Police are so unhelpful these days…

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