After a bit of advice, I had a motorbike stolen from my house in December 2018. The claim for the stolen bike was settled with my insurance company and I got a payout for the vehicle. It was seized as stolen (supposedly from an innocent purchaser) by the police last year. I have just received a letter from the police asking if I wish to assert legal title to the vehicle. However as there is another person claiming ownership it will have to go to court to determine legal title, with the losing party liable for court fees. I cant buy the innocent purchaser angle as very basic checks would have shown the motorbike up a Stolen. The bike does have sentiment value so I'm half tempted to persue it, but don't want to be hit with a big court fee if I lose.
Do people think its worth perusing?
Any idea on approx court fees if I lost?
It’s not yours any more, it belongs to the insurance company.
What is the other guys case?
I bought it from a guy in the pub so it must be legit?
I bought it from a reputable dealer so assumed it was legit?
Somewhere in between?
Try asking him directly if he really wants to fight you over this when you have receipts and proof you publicised the fact it had been stolen perhaps?
What does the insurance company have to say? It is theirs. Dou have to reimburse claim payouts etc?
Is the other person claiming ownership an insurance company? Would they even do this?
Op ,I had a bike stolen (by local scrotes),it's a really horrible feeling. It was found and recovered with the only real damage being the ignition barrel and mirrors.I canceled the insurance report/claim and repaired it.I got off light as it didn't appear to have suffered too much from being (probably) thrashed around for a few days.I used it for a couple of years then made it the base for a project build.If it had been like your situation I would have pursued the ownership claim.
mattsccm +1
What does the insurance company have to say?
I expect that they've dealt with similar many times and can give you a business case. For you it's head v heart
If the insurance company back you then you can't lose, the only legal title is you or insurance co. Check condition and prove to insurance co that it is worthless and then ask them to sign it back over to you. Who has the Ownership docs?
also check your insurance legal expenses cover, either for the bike or house insurance.
I would, if possible, check the bike to see if you really want it back. It might be a dog with fleas by now. If its still good then ask insurance company for a resale valuation back to you. I reckon a silly offer of £100 will secure it.
It will be stolen / recovered on the v5 but that should not be a problem if you re insure through the same co.
