.: Insurance Complaints

While the majority of motorcycle insurers can be relied upon to deliver a consistent quality of service and a sensible policy offering, occasional mishaps may arise.

Working out complaints with the insurance company itself is often the fastest and most convenient way to resolve any disputes, however issues requiring outside mediation or even legal action can occur.

Policy holders, regardless of their location, are advised to submit their complaint in writing to the insurer, clearly identifying the nature and details of their dispute.

If no resolution is reached following a formal complaint in compliance with the motorcycle insurer's guidelines, the issue should be escalated.

In the UK, bike insurance policy holders can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service to obtain free mediation from an experienced professional. Should this process prove unsuccessful, consumers can depend on the service to begin a formal investigation, involving careful consideration of the nature of the complaint and the claims of both parties.

Decisions made following formal investigations are final for motorcycle insurance companies themselves, whereas policy holders are able to take the issue to court if left unsatisfied by the FOS' ruling. Of course, taking legal action can incur considerable expense, and should be considered a last resort.

Motorcycle riders outside of the United Kingdom should follow similar steps, though specific advising offices and agencies are bound to vary from one location to the next. In all cases, ensuring that reasonable measures to settle disputes outside of court are taken is imperative before bringing the issue to court.