CTC Affiliate membership => No CTC Legal Help service
Posted: 20 May 2015, 1:21pm
I'm looking for the same answer(s) and this is my recent experience:
I recently (11/5/15) suffered injury and bike damage when a motor vehicle turned in on me on a main road. It overtook me and then immediately turned left into a driveway taking me down. I was discharged from hospital with fractured rib(s) which is very painful and a broken bike (newly built titanium). Luckily I have a witness and the other party seems to be admitting liability.
Being a member of a cycling club on a club run and with CTC Affiliate membership I called their accident helpline ...0844 736 8452 which connects you with Slater & Gordon lawyers. They took down my details including my CTC membership number and said they would get back to me. They returned my call the next day and informed me that after checking with CTC my Affiliate Membership did not qualify me for the CTC legal helpline or any CTC support for my claim. However they said that subject to further investigation they might be prepared to take me on as a private client on a 'no win no fee basis'. This means they normally take 25% of any settlement to cover their fees.
I was a bit surprised and disappointed thinking that the CTC would be more helpful when a member is injured in a road traffic accident, so I called CTC to clarify the situation. They confirmed the position outlined by Slater & Gordon that our Affiliate membership does not qualify for any legal or insurance support when you have suffered injury or bike damage caused by a third party but only when you have caused injury or damage to a third party. They said you need to be a 'Full Member' to qualify for their legal helpline and CTC support. This is confirmed on their website under membership details.....'Please note that only full membership provides access to our free legal advice claims service'.
In other words if you suffer an accident caused by a third party e.g. being hit by motor car like I was then you could be on your own. This could lead to a very difficult situation if there are no witnesses in your favour or the other party does not accept liability. Luckily I had an independent witness and the third party seems to be admitting liability. Upon checking my household insurance policy (Direct Line Home Insurance Plus) I am also covered for legal costs up to £100,000 to assist in any claim as long as there is at least a 51% chance of winning so I am hoping they will assist me.
I am interested to know if any posters have previous experiences or recommendations for insurance they can share.
I recently (11/5/15) suffered injury and bike damage when a motor vehicle turned in on me on a main road. It overtook me and then immediately turned left into a driveway taking me down. I was discharged from hospital with fractured rib(s) which is very painful and a broken bike (newly built titanium). Luckily I have a witness and the other party seems to be admitting liability.
Being a member of a cycling club on a club run and with CTC Affiliate membership I called their accident helpline ...0844 736 8452 which connects you with Slater & Gordon lawyers. They took down my details including my CTC membership number and said they would get back to me. They returned my call the next day and informed me that after checking with CTC my Affiliate Membership did not qualify me for the CTC legal helpline or any CTC support for my claim. However they said that subject to further investigation they might be prepared to take me on as a private client on a 'no win no fee basis'. This means they normally take 25% of any settlement to cover their fees.
I was a bit surprised and disappointed thinking that the CTC would be more helpful when a member is injured in a road traffic accident, so I called CTC to clarify the situation. They confirmed the position outlined by Slater & Gordon that our Affiliate membership does not qualify for any legal or insurance support when you have suffered injury or bike damage caused by a third party but only when you have caused injury or damage to a third party. They said you need to be a 'Full Member' to qualify for their legal helpline and CTC support. This is confirmed on their website under membership details.....'Please note that only full membership provides access to our free legal advice claims service'.
In other words if you suffer an accident caused by a third party e.g. being hit by motor car like I was then you could be on your own. This could lead to a very difficult situation if there are no witnesses in your favour or the other party does not accept liability. Luckily I had an independent witness and the third party seems to be admitting liability. Upon checking my household insurance policy (Direct Line Home Insurance Plus) I am also covered for legal costs up to £100,000 to assist in any claim as long as there is at least a 51% chance of winning so I am hoping they will assist me.
I am interested to know if any posters have previous experiences or recommendations for insurance they can share.