@LIAW
Your story doesn't surprise me. The insurance world is as unethical and corrupt as the government that presides over it.
I'm in a similar spot to you. I fully expect that if I go with the procedure the "underwriter" want me to go with, nothing will get resolved for months while the company that does the job of the "underwriter" ought to be doing sit on the bike making money out of storage costs and any other shenanigans the corrupt sob's have thought up. I've heard of bike hire costs running into many thousands of pounds for those who've been given a courtesy bike. I cannot in good conscience do go that route.
I've contacted the French lady's partner and asked him to inform their insurer of these potential high costs and that I would get an independent engineer's report on the damage if they give me the go ahead. The French bloke said he'd do that, but I've heard nothing since. In a last ditch attempt to get some just resolution I'll get their insurance details and talk directly to the insurer. If I can get a couple of grand I'll be happy, but I doubt I'll get a single shekel, just a premium bump.
orry: