My bike was stolen
08-07-18, 01:36 PM
#76
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Right. It's replacement value of the bike as you've accessorized it. The price you paid for it in its unimproved state is irrelevant. No fraud, just insurance on the bike as it was when it was stolen, and what it would cost to replace the whole thing.
Of course, the purchase price would have been irrelevant even if it was just a case where the OP just got a ridiculous bargain, and the unimproved bike was worth many times what he paid for it. If you buy an original da Vinci painting for 50 cents, you aren't limited to insuring it for 50 cents.
Of course, the purchase price would have been irrelevant even if it was just a case where the OP just got a ridiculous bargain, and the unimproved bike was worth many times what he paid for it. If you buy an original da Vinci painting for 50 cents, you aren't limited to insuring it for 50 cents.
1) I didn't have the serial number but had several photos that allowed me to prove the model/year and what accessories I had put on the bike. In fact I was shocked when I purchased my carbon bike that the serial number was merely a sticker on the BB. Obviously I have detailed records of my current bikes now.
2) It took a lot of work on my part, but ultimately the insurance adjuster accepted almost all of my claim.
3) My bike was leaning against my car just outside my garage (technically a common area) unlocked as I had moved them out of my garage in order to spray paint something. I was in my apartment waiting to apply additional coats. My adjuster said a theft is a theft. I keep my good bike in my apartment now.
4) You will definitely need a police report, which in my town is trivial as you do it online and can have the official report mailed in a few days. You will want to be as detailed as you can be describing the bike because it will need to match your claim almost word for word. These will also need to match your initial statement to your adjuster as they record it.
The police report asked if my bike was locked which I answered truthfully that it wasn't. My adjuster never brought the issue up at all until I asked the question.
Good photos are even more important if your bike is not stock.
Obviously, my experience was with renters insurance. Homeowners insurance is a different animal.
08-07-18, 06:30 PM
#77
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The police found it! The officer said it was left a couple businesses over. I don't know if guesswork or there was video but he said it seemed the guy didn't know how to ride a bike, tried and fell a couple of times, and gave up and abandoned it.
The police officer said he tried it out and it still rides fine. He brought it to me at work so I haven't tested it. The basket brace is either bent or broken, the tools are gone, the lights are gone, and weirdly enough he took the plate for the cell phone holder but left the clamp...neither of which are useful without the holder that's in my backpack.
Also weirdly, there's one item in the tool bag, I haven't looked but it felt like the pen gauge. The patch kit was left in the basket, and the bag itself is still attached. The backup lock was undisturbed. And the frame pump is still there.
Tomorrow I'm off so I'll really put the bike to the test.
And just last night I saw a bike on Craigslist that I was considering as my next bike. I also saw a bike that even my novice eye saw was a joke. When I get home I might post the link to give folks a laugh.
The police officer said he tried it out and it still rides fine. He brought it to me at work so I haven't tested it. The basket brace is either bent or broken, the tools are gone, the lights are gone, and weirdly enough he took the plate for the cell phone holder but left the clamp...neither of which are useful without the holder that's in my backpack.
Also weirdly, there's one item in the tool bag, I haven't looked but it felt like the pen gauge. The patch kit was left in the basket, and the bag itself is still attached. The backup lock was undisturbed. And the frame pump is still there.
Tomorrow I'm off so I'll really put the bike to the test.
And just last night I saw a bike on Craigslist that I was considering as my next bike. I also saw a bike that even my novice eye saw was a joke. When I get home I might post the link to give folks a laugh.
08-07-18, 06:41 PM
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Try getting over the loss of abike you built part by part from a frame set and wheels !
but in my legal opinion police have no clue what the law is they are like McDonalds workers only they can shoot you , but in general law speak you have to be able to prove ownership , like a recipt or registrations. If you cant prove ownership legaly than you cant claim your property was stolen , which is the biggest downside to used bikes , a bill of sale would be a start with the frame number and full list of parts or accessories ...
but in my legal opinion police have no clue what the law is they are like McDonalds workers only they can shoot you , but in general law speak you have to be able to prove ownership , like a recipt or registrations. If you cant prove ownership legaly than you cant claim your property was stolen , which is the biggest downside to used bikes , a bill of sale would be a start with the frame number and full list of parts or accessories ...
You also reference your ‘legal opinion’
What exactly is your legal opinion?
You have a law degree?
Many year’s of experience as a police officer?
Perhaps you are a judge?
Please enlighten me
08-07-18, 07:05 PM
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Great!
Great news! Thrilled that you got your bike back!
08-07-18, 07:15 PM
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Good news. Sorry about your tools. I once had all of my tools stolen by a divorce attorney. That was a rough breakup, a good set of tools are something that you need to foster and grow and put effort into over a lifetime. It's a real symbiotic relationship. The loss of a good set of tools is something you don't just get over.
08-07-18, 07:28 PM
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Wow. Congratulations. That almost never happens!
08-07-18, 10:13 PM
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Now that I'm home, I've looked at it a little more, waiting for daylight tomorrow for a thorough look.
It looks like all the pieces that hold the basket to the bike are there, just bent. Tomorrow I'll bend everything back and realign it.
Pushing the bike inside....something doesn't feel quite right, like the rear tire has a tad bit of drag to it. I'll check tire pressure and brake pad alignment and flip the bike over and see if the wheel spins true. Anything else to check? I will admit that maybe I'm imagining it, since it is a very slight difference.
Edit: Taking a second look, when I grab the actual tire and pull side to side, there is a bit of a wobble. Reference the picture, the black metal covering the axle seems to be sliding back and forth just a hair. I don't know if it was like this before the bike was stolen. I don't know if it's bad or nothing to worry about.
The right brake handle is pushed way out of alignment, I'll have to track down the assembly manual so I can loosen it and realign it. Since there's a lot of dirt on that side of the handlebars, it probably got smacked hard in a fall.
The cell phone holder plate was still there, the clamp was loosened and then the plate ended up on the underside of the handlebars. What was left in the bag were a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The really cool wrench and the allen wrenches are gone, along with the pen gauge, the spare tube, a three pack of 2032 batteries, and a little half full bottle of baby oil. I really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
It looks like all the pieces that hold the basket to the bike are there, just bent. Tomorrow I'll bend everything back and realign it.
Pushing the bike inside....something doesn't feel quite right, like the rear tire has a tad bit of drag to it. I'll check tire pressure and brake pad alignment and flip the bike over and see if the wheel spins true. Anything else to check? I will admit that maybe I'm imagining it, since it is a very slight difference.
Edit: Taking a second look, when I grab the actual tire and pull side to side, there is a bit of a wobble. Reference the picture, the black metal covering the axle seems to be sliding back and forth just a hair. I don't know if it was like this before the bike was stolen. I don't know if it's bad or nothing to worry about.
The right brake handle is pushed way out of alignment, I'll have to track down the assembly manual so I can loosen it and realign it. Since there's a lot of dirt on that side of the handlebars, it probably got smacked hard in a fall.
The cell phone holder plate was still there, the clamp was loosened and then the plate ended up on the underside of the handlebars. What was left in the bag were a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The really cool wrench and the allen wrenches are gone, along with the pen gauge, the spare tube, a three pack of 2032 batteries, and a little half full bottle of baby oil. I really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
08-08-18, 12:26 AM
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Now that I'm home, I've looked at it a little more, waiting for daylight tomorrow for a thorough look.
It looks like all the pieces that hold the basket to the bike are there, just bent. Tomorrow I'll bend everything back and realign it.
Pushing the bike inside....something doesn't feel quite right, like the rear tire has a tad bit of drag to it. I'll check tire pressure and brake pad alignment and flip the bike over and see if the wheel spins true. Anything else to check? I will admit that maybe I'm imagining it, since it is a very slight difference.
Edit: Taking a second look, when I grab the actual tire and pull side to side, there is a bit of a wobble. Reference the picture, the black metal covering the axle seems to be sliding back and forth just a hair. I don't know if it was like this before the bike was stolen. I don't know if it's bad or nothing to worry about.
The right brake handle is pushed way out of alignment, I'll have to track down the assembly manual so I can loosen it and realign it. Since there's a lot of dirt on that side of the handlebars, it probably got smacked hard in a fall.
The cell phone holder plate was still there, the clamp was loosened and then the plate ended up on the underside of the handlebars. What was left in the bag were a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The really cool wrench and the allen wrenches are gone, along with the pen gauge, the spare tube, a three pack of 2032 batteries, and a little half full bottle of baby oil. I really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
It looks like all the pieces that hold the basket to the bike are there, just bent. Tomorrow I'll bend everything back and realign it.
Pushing the bike inside....something doesn't feel quite right, like the rear tire has a tad bit of drag to it. I'll check tire pressure and brake pad alignment and flip the bike over and see if the wheel spins true. Anything else to check? I will admit that maybe I'm imagining it, since it is a very slight difference.
Edit: Taking a second look, when I grab the actual tire and pull side to side, there is a bit of a wobble. Reference the picture, the black metal covering the axle seems to be sliding back and forth just a hair. I don't know if it was like this before the bike was stolen. I don't know if it's bad or nothing to worry about.
The right brake handle is pushed way out of alignment, I'll have to track down the assembly manual so I can loosen it and realign it. Since there's a lot of dirt on that side of the handlebars, it probably got smacked hard in a fall.
The cell phone holder plate was still there, the clamp was loosened and then the plate ended up on the underside of the handlebars. What was left in the bag were a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The really cool wrench and the allen wrenches are gone, along with the pen gauge, the spare tube, a three pack of 2032 batteries, and a little half full bottle of baby oil. I really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
08-08-18, 01:38 AM
#89
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Welcome to the club. If you haven't had a bike stolen before, you haven't been cycling very much. I've even had two bikes stolen in Tokyo, which is a place where theft of all kinds is uncommon.
08-08-18, 01:59 AM
#90
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Now that I'm home, I've looked at it a little more, waiting for daylight tomorrow for a thorough look.
It looks like all the pieces that hold the basket to the bike are there, just bent. Tomorrow I'll bend everything back and realign it.
Pushing the bike inside....something doesn't feel quite right, like the rear tire has a tad bit of drag to it. I'll check tire pressure and brake pad alignment and flip the bike over and see if the wheel spins true. Anything else to check? I will admit that maybe I'm imagining it, since it is a very slight difference.
Edit: Taking a second look, when I grab the actual tire and pull side to side, there is a bit of a wobble. Reference the picture, the black metal covering the axle seems to be sliding back and forth just a hair. I don't know if it was like this before the bike was stolen. I don't know if it's bad or nothing to worry about.
The right brake handle is pushed way out of alignment, I'll have to track down the assembly manual so I can loosen it and realign it. Since there's a lot of dirt on that side of the handlebars, it probably got smacked hard in a fall.
The cell phone holder plate was still there, the clamp was loosened and then the plate ended up on the underside of the handlebars. What was left in the bag were a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The really cool wrench and the allen wrenches are gone, along with the pen gauge, the spare tube, a three pack of 2032 batteries, and a little half full bottle of baby oil. I really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
It looks like all the pieces that hold the basket to the bike are there, just bent. Tomorrow I'll bend everything back and realign it.
Pushing the bike inside....something doesn't feel quite right, like the rear tire has a tad bit of drag to it. I'll check tire pressure and brake pad alignment and flip the bike over and see if the wheel spins true. Anything else to check? I will admit that maybe I'm imagining it, since it is a very slight difference.
Edit: Taking a second look, when I grab the actual tire and pull side to side, there is a bit of a wobble. Reference the picture, the black metal covering the axle seems to be sliding back and forth just a hair. I don't know if it was like this before the bike was stolen. I don't know if it's bad or nothing to worry about.
The right brake handle is pushed way out of alignment, I'll have to track down the assembly manual so I can loosen it and realign it. Since there's a lot of dirt on that side of the handlebars, it probably got smacked hard in a fall.
The cell phone holder plate was still there, the clamp was loosened and then the plate ended up on the underside of the handlebars. What was left in the bag were a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. The really cool wrench and the allen wrenches are gone, along with the pen gauge, the spare tube, a three pack of 2032 batteries, and a little half full bottle of baby oil. I really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
08-08-18, 05:33 AM
#91
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Not the absolute best possible outcome---after all you didn't recover the baby oil---but still, Much better than expected. No matter what needs fixing, you can fix it and have your original ride, Better Than Ever!
Also .... you can take the money you would have spent replacing this bike and buy another one anyway.
You Can have too many bikes .... but you haven't been working at it. get busy and add N+1!
Really glad for you, seriously.
Also .... you can take the money you would have spent replacing this bike and buy another one anyway.
You Can have too many bikes .... but you haven't been working at it. get busy and add N+1!Really glad for you, seriously.
08-08-18, 05:47 AM
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II really don't want to know why the baby oil was stolen.
08-08-18, 06:43 AM
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08-08-18, 10:53 AM
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Great that you recovered your bike. Now... while you're checking it over, turn it upside down and write down the serial number which should be stamped into the bottom bracket. Not only keep it on a piece of paper, but if you have a smartphone keep it in a text file or something Anywhere you can easily access it if your bike gets stolen again. If that does happen, then give the s/n to the officer making the report so it can be entered into NCIC. Also wouldn't hurt to register your bike on bikeindex.org
08-08-18, 11:03 AM
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Great that you recovered your bike. Now... while you're checking it over, turn it upside down and write down the serial number which should be stamped into the bottom bracket. Not only keep it on a piece of paper, but if you have a smartphone keep it in a text file or something Anywhere you can easily access it if your bike gets stolen again. If that does happen, then give the s/n to the officer making the report so it can be entered into NCIC. Also wouldn't hurt to register your bike on bikeindex.org
08-08-18, 11:21 AM
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Okay, quick test ride done.
That little wobble in the tire was already there, whenever I've changed a tube and spun the wheel after it did go a little back and forth, I just never tugged on it when stopped. I can't eyeball it, but I'm wondering if maybe the rim isn't perfectly straight, when I do spin the wheel one spot wobbles more than the rest of the wheel.
The drag I felt is almost certainly brake pad rubbing. The hand brake was pulled upward, which tightened the brake cable. Even after the hand brake was put right again there was still a tad of brake pad rubbing, two spots on one side. The brakes are a long story, but since the brakes are also now squeaky I'll worry about the rubbing when I re-toe them in. Which is no rush, I have to replace the lights, the tools, stuff for fixing a flat, probably get around to getting a chain tool, and find a proper attachment for the rear reflector (another long story) before I feel like I can commute.
That little wobble in the tire was already there, whenever I've changed a tube and spun the wheel after it did go a little back and forth, I just never tugged on it when stopped. I can't eyeball it, but I'm wondering if maybe the rim isn't perfectly straight, when I do spin the wheel one spot wobbles more than the rest of the wheel.
The drag I felt is almost certainly brake pad rubbing. The hand brake was pulled upward, which tightened the brake cable. Even after the hand brake was put right again there was still a tad of brake pad rubbing, two spots on one side. The brakes are a long story, but since the brakes are also now squeaky I'll worry about the rubbing when I re-toe them in. Which is no rush, I have to replace the lights, the tools, stuff for fixing a flat, probably get around to getting a chain tool, and find a proper attachment for the rear reflector (another long story) before I feel like I can commute.
08-08-18, 11:49 AM
#97
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Sounds like you just need to adjust your spokes and true your wheel. No biggie, but I do find that process to be a pain in the butt.
08-08-18, 12:29 PM
#98
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Congratulations. Maybe get an easily removable bag for your tools and tube and take them with you when you leave the bike unattended.
08-08-18, 02:14 PM
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Yay! I think just true the wheel at the rubbing spots, get a spare tube and some levers and you're good to go. 
The bike I used today has no lights, no reflectors, no fenders, just bike.
I still think you need a number two bike (or maybe it will be number one), more road-bike like, a different kind of "fun" to ride. And as a backup.
The bike I used today has no lights, no reflectors, no fenders, just bike. I still think you need a number two bike (or maybe it will be number one), more road-bike like, a different kind of "fun" to ride. And as a backup.
08-09-18, 10:13 AM
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I have had three chains cut in Omaha Nebraksa before 11 pm over a span of three years. They were each used bicycles I paid around $250 for. I didn't own a car and it was my main transportion. Public Transportation is barely worth it for work commutes because infrequency of bus and lack of many routes or on foot access/ convenience is super minimal. when my bikes were stolen it took up to three hours commute time of my day to work. Bike theft is so common in Omaha. I reported each bike stolen and frequented Pawn shops for two months after bike stolen. I inquired about process of stolen goods with the pawn shops. From various conversations I discovered that not all bikes/vin numbers aquired in pawn shops are reported to police. This was unnverving. Never got bikes back. You'd think I would have found alternative storage or invested in expensive mag lock, but I was gullible and thought being in open , they wouldn't get stolen. I've heard that cars in Australia can be equipt with under carraige flame throwers that are triggered by attempted theft. I felt so violated after bike thefts that I considered all types of harm my anti theft process could be. But how miserable an existence to desperately steal bikes to collect less than 50 dollars per bike?