I took my Kawasaki Versys 1000 to my local dealer to have some work done. I have used them for years and have never had any trouble, and they have always done a good job at a fair price.
I was having a new satnav hardwired and some pannier racks fitted. I dropped the bike off, as arranged – they were to have the bike for a couple of days.
However four hours later the dealer called me and said a delivery driver (ironically dropping bits off for my bike) had swung into their yard, clipped my bike and knocked it over. I went back and saw the bike had a damaged fairing and a broken screen.
The dealer reckoned it was my responsibility to claim off my own fully comprehensive insurance; or claim directly against the delivery driver. Things got a little heated when I told him I completely disagreed. My position was that as the bike was in their care and control it was down to them, as the dealer, to pay for the repairs and put it right. They could then do the donkey work and get their money back off the delivery driver’s insurer.
I also said the work I had originally booked them to do could wait until the repairs were done. The dealer was not happy but has since told their insurer to pursue the delivery driver and says they will fix the damage to my bike in the meantime.
Do I have to tell my own insurer about this? I don’t want to risk my no claims bonus being affected and my premiums soaring.
Lastly, the dealer is adamant I must have the work done that I originally booked because I specifically got him to order in the satnav and pannier racks, and these cannot be returned. I did agree to have the parts and the work done in person, but I did not sign a written agreement.
Answer
I am glad the dealer saw sense and decided to take responsibility. You are correct – your Versys was in the dealer’s care. Therefore, the dealer has a duty to fix any damage sustained to your bike during this period, even if it was caused by the delivery driver with his van. Further, the dealer/their insurer can pursue the van driver/his insurer for the money they had to spend on repairs afterwards. This is the dealer’s problem, not yours.
However you do have to report this to your own insurer. Your policy says you must report all accidents. This is pretty much standard. Failure to do this will breach the terms of your insurance. This could result in invalidating the policy, even if you are not claiming off it. As you are not claiming off your policy, your no claims bonus should not be affected.
With regards to the work and parts you had agreed to have, I think you should proceed. Although the dealer may not have that in writing, in England and Wales an oral contract is still legally binding. Further, to be fair to the dealer, the damage was caused by someone else, and they are now sorting it out. As you said, you have used them for years and have never had any trouble, and they have always done a good job at a fair price. There is a lot to be said for that.
Andrew `Chef` Prendergast
RiDE Magazine – October 2026
