Insurance company will only pay for a Halfords bike?

[Erin17]

Hi,

I'm not a serious cyclist, just like to do it when I get the chance, and my question is about which new bike to get. My lovely Trek 3500 got stolen from outside my house at Christmas (

), so I was planning on getting a hybrid or mountain bike and changing the wheels. Surprisingly, the insurance company have agreed to pay for another one, but they must have some deal with Halfords or something because it has to be from there. I know a lot of people think Halfords is rubbish, and I don't know enough about bikes to know whether this is true or not. Looking at their bikes, the only hybrid and mountain bikes within the price range (about 270) are made by Carrera. Are these bikes any good? Are they worth the money or will I have to buy a new one in a years time? I'm going to be using it quite a bit; over the summer I am planning to cycle to Paris and then down to the South of France, and I start university in October where I will be cycling every day. Thanks very much, any help to a complete novice is greatly appreciated!

 

[youngoldbloke]

This is ridiculous - in motoring terms it is like writing off your Audi and being made to have a Vauxhall as a replacement. Can't Halfords order in an exact replacement Trek 3500? Please tell us who the company is so that we can make sure we don't use them.

 

[Fab Foodie]

This is ridiculous - in motoring terms it is like writing off your Audi and being made to have a Vauxhall as a replacement. Can't Halfords order in an exact replacement Trek 3500? Please tell us who the company is so that we can make sure we don't use them.

I agree. Is it in the T&C's of the insurance company? If not, name and shame in all the cycling press. Just stupid.
Even if it is in the T&C's .... it's still stupid.

Back to the question. The Carerra Sunway is a fine machine if that's the type of bike you're after, but it might not. The Carerra road-bikes are OK.

 

[Norm]

Surprisingly, the insurance company have agreed to pay for another one, but they must have some deal with Halfords or something because it has to be from there.

I don't think that they can do that, although I do think that many will try it on. Check your policy, is this requirement specified in there?

Tell them that you don't accept Halfords as the only option.

 

[summerdays]

Or ask Halfords to source the same bike? (no idea if they can).

The one thing I would say about Carerra bikes is that around here they seem to be popular bikes to steal - so make sure you get a decent D-lock for going to university. Not that it would stop a determined thief.

 

[P.H]

Or ask Halfords to source the same bike? (no idea if they can).

I think they can, I know a couple of people who got Halfords vouchers on the Bike to Work scheme, one got a Brompton the other a Ridgeback and either could have chosen any off the peg bike.
As for Carrera, they're pretty decent bikes. The only thing to watch for is the price, they tend to be over valued so they can be offered at a big discount in the frequent sales.

Many insurers will give vouchers rather than cash, they will have negotiated a decent discount with the supplier. There's nothing wrong with this if the supplier can get you the bike to put you back in the position you were before the loss, which is what your policy will offer. My home contents insurer use Two Wheels, who have confirmed that if they couldn't replace a custom frame they would tell the insurers that was the case and I'd get a direct payment.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

My Spesh Allez got nicked a couple of years ago and my company said I needed to use Halfords. I made them aware that Halfords didn't stock Spesh bikes but that I'd ask them to order one in. I asked Halfords and (from memory) I think they agreed they could, but it would be some time to get the stock. I contacted the Insurance company and told them this and they contacted Halfords to check the cost of the bike and sent me a cheque. I bought the replacement (upgraded it to an Allez Elite) a couple of days later from elsewhere. No major issues.

 

[Moodyman]

The Carrera, GT and Boardman bikes at Halfords are very good. You're only problem with Halfords is the potentially variable service from their staff.

If you're not happy with these bikes, then I think Halfords can source more or less any bike for insurance purposes.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Have a read here: http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/Ombudsman-news/10/oct-repair-replace-cash.htm

 

[Erin17]

Thanks for all the help everyone. The insurance company is MoreThan. They suggested getting a GT Aggressor X3 in replacement, which I'm aware is a decent bike. Problem is, Halfords is getting rid of GT's so they don't actually have any of these left. I'm not sure if it is specifically in the T&C; if its not can I question it then? But you seem to be suggesting that Carrera is an good bike for what I want, so I might look into getting one of them. Also, I didn't know that you could get them to order in bikes; maybe I can get another Trek! Thanks very much for all the help!

 

[PK99]

Many insurers will give vouchers rather than cash, they will have negotiated a decent discount with the supplier.

I've just had a computer replaced on an Insurance/Warranty.

Cost price £999

Domestic and general have a deal with Currys/comet, and no doubt have discount built in. But comet/currys did not sell the specific model identified as the closest replacement.

I asked for a cheque to buy from John Lewis and received £1499 = full JL list price

Check your T&C

A few years ago i had the whole family's bike replaced on insurance, since buying the Specialized models stolen had gone from rigid to suspension forks with a rigid fork version further down the range. the replacement was the upgraded suspension version

 

[Jezston]

Halfords CAN order in anything.

 

[chrisb7]

Read an interesting blog article about Insurance terms and conditions this morning at http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/02/look-at-usats-newly-promoted-cyclepro.html

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

We were with More Than when I got mine replaced without using Halfords. If Halfords can't source your replacement they should issue you with a cheque. They were fantastic with my claim, couldn't fault them

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 1319604"]
They can't insist that you use Halfords. There was a test case a few years ago which confirmed this. So you're within your rights to get quotes from elsewhere. That said, the previous poster is correct. Halfords should be able to get any bike in. Apart from Brompton I believe. The story, which may well not be true, goes that Halfords tried to get a Brommie for someone on C2W, by buying it from elsewhere and selling it on, and Brompton weren't too happy.
[/quote]

if they make said method of replacement an explicit part of the terms of the contract of insurance then they can. caveat emptor.