Do you belong to a bike club or similar?

[TC]

You may remember my thread last week when I asked for your thoughts about where you would turn to in the event that you were involved in a crash and was unfortunate enough to require legal representation. Firstly, thank you for your input it was most helpful and I have taken the comments made on board.

Well, this question is aimed at those of you who might belong to a motorcycle club or organisation, or anyone who meets up with like minded people on a fairly regular basis.

During your meetings, do you invite outside speakers?

If so, what would be your thoughts about having someone like me come along to one of your meetings and do a talk/presentation on all matters relating to motorcycles, accidents, the legal process or anything else bike related?

There would be no cost to you or or your organisation, I can talk for 30 minutes or 2 hours (providing I haven't bored you all by then ) and it can be tailored to suit your requirements.

It doesn't matter what part of the country you are in, and it can be a midweek meet, what I am thinking of is a hands on way to develop links to motorcycle groups that will benefit your friends or members.

It is just an idea I am kicking around at the moment, but again, your thoughts and observations will be greatly appreciated.

[Samray]

I don't belong to any club, but it does occur to me that you might find a captive audience at one of our annual week-end gatherings.
No idea yet what the turnout is likely to be for the Norfolk one this year though.
I realise that might be talking to the converted and that you are looking for a fresh audience, but there might be scope for opening your horizons to such events.

[BikerGran]

My club used to do that but it's on a bit of a down-turn at present so it would hardly be worth the effort, also we currently meet in the general bar of a pub, we used to have a room to ourselves.

[TC]

I don't belong to any club, but it does occur to me that you might find a captive audience at one of our annual week-end gatherings.
No idea yet what the turnout is likely to be for the Norfolk one this year though.
I realise that might be talking to the converted and that you are looking for a fresh audience, but there might be scope for opening your horizons to such events.

If you think there may be some interest, then I will be happy to come along, even if it is simply a case of talking to people on a a 1 to 1 basis.

[TC]

My club used to do that but it's on a bit of a down-turn at present so it would hardly be worth the effort, also we currently meet in the general bar of a pub, we used to have a room to ourselves.

No problem, but thanks for the thought. If the situation changes, then I will be more than happy to put in an appearance.

[D-Rider]

The only clubs I belong to are Club Aprilia - really this is forum based and gets together for the Club National Day.
The other is the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club - and although there are local sections, I've never been to any local events.

Just an idea, but especially with your contacts, is there any mileage in tagging on to Bikesafe days/weekends?

[TC]

is there any mileage in tagging on to Bikesafe days/weekends?

For reasons I won't go into, No is the short answer!

[K_D]

I would be kinda hoping my insurer would cover the bases ..................failing that .....................I kinda keep personal insurance on retainer...........



I have coverage 24/7 for holidays and recovery and stuff..............

[HowardQ]

I suppose this is our "club" TC, and most people here would be happy to take advice from you anytime. As stated on your last post, if ever I needed these sort of services I would contact you first and think others would do the same. It's obviously not what you were thinking, but you may actually get a bigger audience from sites like this. Could be worth making that sort of approach. It does not take too long to find Owner sites using Google.
Not sure what our admin people think, as we seem to have some unresolved funding issues on this site, perhaps they might do a deal for some real advertising on this site for a relatively small fee?
Just a thought.

[D-Rider]

As stated on your last post, if ever I needed these sort of services I would contact you first and think others would do the same.

I think that's true for most of us Howard BUT I don't think it always works like that.
As in the situation I'm going through at the moment, you report an accident to your insurers, they send you a ream of paperwork - claim forms other bits and pieces and a form for their legal people and before you know it you're signed up to whoever your insurers want to use without you really realising what's happened or that you had any choice in the matter.

I guess this discussion is helping to remind us that we would have a choice (though I'm not sure how you would exercise that choice once you've started dealing with your insurers) but in a year or so's time when the memory of this discussion has dimmed, I don't imagine that people will instantly think that they do have a choice and will just fill out the forms they are sent - like I did.

I think this is the big problem TC has to break through ... accident ... report to insurers .... insurers send a pile of paperwork ... you feel your job is to get it filled in and give whatever authorisations are needed to let them sort it out.

[kneescratch]

Hi T.C

I am an observer for the North East Thames Rospa group, our club nights are the third thursday of every month and we meet in Harlow.

The chance to have someone like yourself come and do a presentation/talk would be most welcomed and appreciated.

You can find some details here www.netroadar.org


Regards

Gary

[HowardQ]

As stated on your last post, if ever I needed these sort of services I would contact you first and think others would do the same.

I think that's true for most of us Howard BUT I don't think it always works like that.
As in the situation I'm going through at the moment, you report an accident to your insurers, they send you a ream of paperwork - claim forms other bits and pieces and a form for their legal people and before you know it you're signed up to whoever your insurers want to use without you really realising what's happened or that you had any choice in the matter.

I guess this discussion is helping to remind us that we would have a choice (though I'm not sure how you would exercise that choice once you've started dealing with your insurers) but in a year or so's time when the memory of this discussion has dimmed, I don't imagine that people will instantly think that they do have a choice and will just fill out the forms they are sent - like I did.

I think this is the big problem TC has to break through ... accident ... report to insurers .... insurers send a pile of paperwork ... you feel your job is to get it filled in and give whatever authorisations are needed to let them sort it out.

As I mentioned in TCs earlier post, I have never paid for Legal Cover since that bad experience years ago, where I won it myself after they did nothing.
Main thing as everybody always says is get everything you can from the scene, write it all down ASAP, take photos on your phone's camera, make drawings showing all parties, where they started off and wher they ended up. Collar witnesses and get their details, don't assume the police will, as normally they don't give a toss unless the accident is serious. Obviously not easy, if you are laid out waiting for the medics, but if you end up at hospital, get back there as soon as you get out, otherwise as you say it's all gone and then it will be too late.
If it starts to look like more specialist advice is needed, I would talk to somebody who you have some knowledge of, like TC, before the insurance companies start playing their "knock for knock" games with each other, or the more serious game of, "this could cost us, how can we show the insurance is invalid", (Race cans, other mods etc.).
Sorry if I'm preaching to the converted!

[TC]

Hi T.C

I am an observer for the North East Thames Rospa group, our club nights are the third thursday of every month and we meet in Harlow.

The chance to have someone like yourself come and do a presentation/talk would be most welcomed and appreciated.

You can find some details here www.netroadar.org


Regards

Gary

As a senior RoSPA examiner, that would probably fit in quite well and I would be happy to come along if you wish me to.

Howard, you have hit the nail on the head with both your posts. Unfortunately too many people put blind faith into their insurers doing right by the policy holder (as I have covered quite regularly on here) only to be let down big time when push comes to shove.

People don't seem to realise that they have a choice, and although many legal insurance policies are sold as "Free" cover, the old saying of "You pay peanuts and get monkeys" readily springs to mind.

I have found on more than one occasion that the personal touch of explaining how the system works face to face is far better, and it also allows people to ask the questions they want answered in simple English rather than using legal jargon.

Good post

[kneescratch]

T.C,

You have a P.M.


Gary