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AA Motorcycle Insurance Compensation Claims Guide

On this page, you will find an online guide that provides details on how to make a personal injury claim and an Automobile Association (The AA) motorcycle insurance claim. This is in relation to a motorcycle accident in which a third party was injured and the accident was the fault of the motorcyclist, as well as motorcyclists making a claim against their own insurance for some reason.

AA motorcycle insurance accident claims guideEven though we have tried to provide all of the information you need to educate yourself about such claims, there may be unique aspects of your claim that this guide does not cover. If this turns out to be true in your case, we can still help you. All that you need to do is get in touch with our claims team, any time of the day or night, on 0800 073 8804. One of our claim advisors will be available to answer any questions you happen to have, and also provide you with any additional information you require.

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A Guide To AA Motorcycle Insurance Claims

In this online guide, we will attempt to answer questions such as, “what’s the difference between bike and car breakdown cover?” And “what types of motorbike breakdown cover are there?” Such questions may be asked in relation to motorcycle insurance claims involving policies brokered by AA motorcycle insurance, either by a policyholder or a third party harmed by the actions of a policyholder.

We start this guide with a section that explains the kinds of products the AA provides motorcyclists, and an explanation of the two sides to road traffic accident claims: third-party claims and policyholder claims. This is followed up with some general information about making a claim, including some of the more common causes of claims, and information about how AA policies are underwritten.

The guide then moves on to provide several sections that have information designed to help you understand how best to interact with your insurer during a claim. This includes why a claim may be refused and what to do in this case, and also some general advice on how to deal with an early settlement or pre-medical offer. We have also tried to explain why using a solicitor to help make your claim might be preferable.

The last few sections of this guide are given over to some of the financial considerations of making a compensation claim. This includes a table giving example injuries and the possible range of compensation they could receive. This can help you to understand how much compensation you might potentially get. The following section lists some of the more commonly awarded types of damages. In closing, we take a look at what No Win No Fee claims are, and why in many cases, such a service could be the perfect vehicle for having a claim processed.

Once you have read this guide, you might need clarification about one or more of the topics covered, or simply have questions about your own circumstances. In this case, please call our claims team on the number at the end of this page. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. An expert claim advisor can answer your questions for you, provide you with any other information you require, and then explain to you how we can provide you with a personal injury lawyer to process your claim for you.

What Is A Claim Against AA Motorcycle Insurance?

First of all, we need to explain that AA motorbike insurance is a different service to AA breakdown products. This guide does not cover disputes with the AA breakdown and recovery service. In this guide, we are referring to unique insurance products aimed at motorcyclists, such as classic bike insurance, moped insurance and multi-bike insurance. A specialist motorcycle policy is subtly different from a general motor policy. These products have been specially tailored to bikers and priced based on considerations such as the specific risks bikers face and the overall lower cost of owning motorcycles.

There are two types of people who may need to make a claim against a policy arranged through the AA. These are:

  1. A motorcyclist who is making a claim against their own insurance for some reason.
  2. A third party that has suffered harm or loss in an accident caused by a motorcyclist who is insured by the AA.

If you are unsure whether you are in a position to make a claim based on your own circumstances, please speak to our claims team and an advisor will evaluate your claim for you.

When Motorcycle Insurance Claims Could Be Made

There are many reasons why a person might need to make a compensation claim against a company that provides motorbike insurance. However, in general, the following reasons are the most common.

For motorcyclists that are insured by the AA:

  • In a split liability claim where fault cannot be determined, and each party is partially responsible.
  • When a motorcycle covered by a policy is stolen.
  • When a motorcycle covered by a policy is damaged in some way that cannot be attributed to a third party.

For third parties that are involved in an accident that was caused by a motorcyclist insured by the AA:

  • For damage to a vehicle or other private property.
  • For injuries sustained in the accident.

If you believe you may have a valid cause to make a compensation claim, then you can speak to our claims team and have your claim evaluated. A claim advisor will let you know whether it is potentially valid or not.

Do AA Insurance Use An Underwriter?

The company, Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited, is recorded on the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) as underwriting their own claims. This means that only a single company is involved in evaluating and negotiating claims. This could simplify the claims process.

An underwriter fills the role of managing the fund from which claims are paid. The AA takes care of its own underwriting. If you have any questions about how an underwriter can affect the outcome of a claim, please talk to one of our claim advisors today.

Disputed Motorcycle Insurance Claims

If you try to claim for a motorcycle injury or for being involved in an accident caused by a motorcyclist covered by this insurer, the claim may be denied for reasons such as:

  • The insured party was not acting within the scope of the policy wording. For example, the bike had been modified and the insurer was not informed of this.
  • The claimant cannot prove that they sustained injury or loss that was solely caused by the incident.
  • The claimant cannot prove that a third party was liable, even partially, for the accident taking place. Except when a policyholder is making a split liability claim.

If you would like some help finding out whether your claim might be refuted, or for legal assistance in making a claim that an insurer has initially denied, please call our claims team, who are available 24 hours a day to help you.

Should You Directly Deal With Your Insurance Company?

If you need to make a compensation claim against the Automobile Association, it might be tempting to do so without the help of an injury and accident lawyer. The AA will likely offer you free legal help in making a claim. The firm might also offer you a pre-medical or early settlement.

However, think long and hard before accepting these offers. Saying yes to free legal help might see you sign away your rights or limit the liability of the insurer. A pre-medical offer will not have taken into account the extent of your injuries, the prognosis for a full recovery, and any permanent or long-term impairment you might suffer. Therefore, it is likely to be lower than what you would receive if you moved on to make a full claim.

If you need some advice on whether to accept any kind of offer from an insurance company, you can speak to our claims team any time of the day or night. They will help you reach a decision, and also inform you of any other options you have.

Could Solicitors Help With Insurance Claims?

When it comes to making AA motorbike insurance claims for personal injury or financial loss, a solicitor is likely to secure you a higher level of compensation than if you handle the claim yourself. A solicitor can provide several services as part of the claims handling process, and this includes:

  • Advising you on the kinds of evidence you should submit, and helping you prepare it.
  • Evaluating your claim and advising you on what might be a suitable level of compensation to expect.
  • Advise you about any other actions you should take, such as having an impartial medical examination.
  • Helping you to build a case to prove that you were not to blame and that a third party was.
  • Representing you in the courtroom if the claim goes to court for a decision.

Our expert lawyers have over three decades of experience providing claimants with just these kinds of services. They can do the same for you. Call our claims team to find out how you can proceed with a claim today.

Evidence And Documents To Provide Your Solicitor

Part of the service that one of our expert accident and injury lawyers can provide you is to help you prepare evidence to support your claim against AA motorcycle Insurance. You could provide the solicitor with information such as:

  • Details of your policy and the vehicle you were driving/riding.
  • Details of every third-party involved in the accident, their vehicles and their insurers.
  • Any medical notes or information you have about your injuries and the prognosis for recovery.
  • If you took photographs or shot video footage of the scene or cause of the accident, give that to your lawyer.
  • Proof of any financial losses that you have suffered and wish to claim for.
  • Contact details for any witnesses to the incident.
  • A police accident number if you have one.

If you need some help and advice in preparing this kind of information, please call our claims team and speak to an advisor. They can help you further.

Claiming Compensation For Your Injuries

An important thing we need to cover in this guide to making AA motorcycle insurance claims are the criteria that will affect your eligibility to make personal injury claims. These could include, but are not limited to:

  • You will need to be ready to start your claim within the applicable personal injury claims time limit. This is usually 3 years from the accident date.
  • Only claimants over the age of 18 are eligible to claim. Otherwise, a parent or guardian will need to act as their litigation friend to make the claim on their behalf.
  • You must be able to prove that any financial loss or physical harm you suffered was caused by the accident, and would not have occurred otherwise.
  • Unless you are a rider making a split liability claim against their own insurance, you will need to be able to prove that another party was at least partially at fault, causing the accident.

If you want some free legal advice to work out whether your claim is viable, please talk through your situation with one of our claim advisors.

Motorbike Injury And Accident Compensation Calculator

The table below gives some example injuries and the range of compensation that a victim of these injuries might claim. We based this table on the Judicial College Guidelines published in the UK, a publication the legal system relies upon to value claims. You might also be able to find some type of personal injury claims calculator that can estimate the value of your claim for you.

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Type of Injury? How Severe? Compensation Information
Injured hand Less serious £13,570 to £27,220 Within this classification would be injuries to the hand, that although were initially quite bad, will eventually heal completely with no long-term loss of function. This could include crush damage, fractures, dislocations, soft-tissue injuries, etc.
Injured arm Less severe £18,020 to £36,770 Within this classification would be injuries to the arm, that although were initially quite bad, will eventually heal completely with no long-term loss of function. This could include minor fractures, strains, sprains, crush damage, lacerations, etc.
Injured back Minor Up to £11,730 Within this classification would be injuries to the back that might include a prolapsed disc, hairline fracture to the vertebrae, burns, scrapes, lacerations, etc.
Injured foot Modest Up to £12,900 Injuries such as simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments and puncture wounds. The length of recovery will dictate the level of award.
Injured leg Very serious £51,460 to £85,600 Within this classification would be injuries to the legs that would have a severe negative effect on the quality of the life of the victim, and potentially complete loss of mobility. For example, multiple compound fractures to both legs, loss of muscle tissue, irreparable ligament and tendon damage, etc.
Injured head/brain Moderate £40,410 to £205,580 Within this classification would be injuries to the head or brain that would leave the victim somewhat impaired in the future. Loss of memory or cognitive function, slurred speech, partial blindness or loss of hearing, etc.

If you wish to have your claim valued more accurately, a personal injury solicitor will need to do this for you. If you speak to our claims team and tell them you want your claim to be evaluated, they can arrange this for you.

Special Damages For Motorbike Injury Claims

When you make a claim for a motorbike accident, or as a third party injured in an accident caused by a motorcyclist insured by the AA, if the claim is successful, the compensation settlement you receive will be based on a number of different types of damages.

General damages are paid for reasons related to psychological and physical injuries. When compensation is calculated it will be based on considerations such as the level of pain and suffering the claimant was subjected to, whether they went through surgery or some form of traumatic treatment, and if there will be some symptoms that will linger or last permanently. These damages might include:

  • Impairments or disabilities that will be either permanent or long-term.
  • Traumatic treatment, therapy or surgery.
  • Psychological issues including anxiety or depression.
  • The general pain and suffering you went through when the accident happened.
  • The mental stress of being subjected to a traumatic experience.

General damages are all paid for reasons related to financial and other non-physical losses. In the case of financial losses that have already been incurred, then the claimant will need to provide documented proof of spending if they wish to claim these costs back. These damages might include:

  • Lost salary/wages either in full or partially.
  • Lost work prospects and lower earning potential in the future.
  • The cost of paying for private medical treatment.
  • To pay for hiring a nurse or other medical help at home.
  • Ad-hoc and out of pocket expenses such as travel tickets.

If you are keen to find out what kinds of damages might be suitable to claim for in your own case, our claims team can help. Speak to an advisor to get started.

No Win No Fee Motorbike Injury Claims

Using a No Win No Fee solicitor offers two primary benefits. You are getting the legal help you need, and also reducing the financial losses you could face. There is no new claims fee, and no fee as the claim is processed. Also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), your solicitor will only ask you to pay a small success fee (the limit is legally capped). If the claim fails, your solicitor will not ask you to pay any fees that have accrued. We can provide you with more information about how a CFA works if you call our claims team.

Begin A Motorbike Accident And Injury Claim

If you have suffered a motorbike injury and are in a position to make a split liability claim or as a third-party injured by a rider insured by the AA, then we can likely help you. You can speak to our claims team on 0800 073 8804. They are available 24/7 to take your call, and an expert advisor will talk you through our claims process with the goal of organising one of our accident and injury lawyers to begin working on your claim for you. Whatever help and advice you need, give us a call today.

Essential References

You can also learn more about motorcycle accident claims below:

These external links all lead to pages that have further information that could be useful:

British Motorcycle Foundation Information About Safety

Facts About Motorcycle Casualties

UK Road Accident Statistics

 

Guide by Wheeler

Edited by Billing