Destroyed my helmet in a crash a few weeks ago–better the helmet than my head–too bad my shoulder didn’t fare as well (AC separation and fractured scapula).
Sent it in to Bell today, anyone know how long they take to send replacement. Thanks.
Ummm, you probably should go buy a new helmet 'cause I don’t think they have a crash replacement policy…
“What kind of warranty does Bell offer?
Any Bell helmet determined by Bell to be defective in materials or workmanship within one (1) year from the date of original purchase will be repaired or replaced, at Bell’s option, free of charge when received at the factory freight prepaid, together with proof of purchase. If you have questions regarding the warranty coverage on your helmet, call us or refer to the helmet owner’s manual.”
Bell no longer accepts helmets that were damaged in a crash, whether you are looking for a replacement or sending it in for them to use in testing. My helmet cracked in a crash about a year and a half ago and someone mentioned to me that they studied crash-damaged helmets to help with future designs; when I called Bell to find out where to send it they said they no longer accepted helmets damaged in crashes.
I have destroyed two Bell helmets in wrecks in the last few years and when you factor in the cost of shipping the lid back, the downtime of not having a lid to use…or using one’s wife’s dorky Giro lid…I just went and bought a new one.
We must have had similar expericences, I fractured my scapula, wrist and thumb in my first my crash. Totalled the helmet but didn’t have so much as a scratch on the noggin.
Thank God for Bell helmets!
Thanks for your efforts, you are not completely correct. See page 6:
http://www.bellbikehelmets.com/downloads/Bell_Bike_OwnersManual_USCAN.pdf
The reason for my question is that I am off the road for about 3-4 more weeks due to the shoulder injury and wonder if the replacement will be back by then or if I will need to purchase a new one.
Last year my Bell helmet cracked, not due to a crash. It was about 3 years old. I took it to my LBS, who gave it to the Bell salesman. Bell gave me a brand new helmet, for free, about 3 weeks later. Even though it was out of warranty, it was a very classy act by Bell.
From the owner’s manual…
Crash Replacement Policy
Bell is interested in your safety and in advancing the state-of-the-art in
head protection. If your helmet is involved in an accident you may obtain
a replacement from Bell by doing the following:
For U.S. Customers:
-
Send the following:
a. The damaged helmet (prepaid);
b. A copy of your dated cash register receipt;
c. A letter describing your accident in as much detail as possible; and
d. A check for $35.00 for Fusion In-Mold helmets or a check for $20.00 for non-Fusion helmets -
Send to:
Bell Sports, Inc.
Consumer Service
1924 County Road, 3000 North
Rantoul, Illinois 61866-9512
I called Bell customer service after your response. They do still have a crash replacement program–although it has changed. They used to provide a replacement helmet for $35, but now are providing replacement at 30% off. Of course helmets are easily found on sale for more discount than that. My helmet model was a late 2006 and is still covered under the $35 replacement policy.
This is amazing! I live in Norway where you can’t return anything without written authorization form the king. Generally it is a major pain in the ass here with returns & exchanges and stuff like this. But not with the Bell & Giro crash guarantee; just take a crashed Bell or Giro helmet in and get 50% off of a new one of equal or lesser cost - you actually don’t even need a receipt.
Glad you posted that. My wife has, unfortunately, cracked 2 Bell helmets in the last year, and our LBS gave us 30% off a new one each time. I almost posted this earlier and then got to wondering if my LBS was just being nice. They are nice, but it looks like it is the real deal from Bell. The upshot of taking it to our LBS is they handle the replacement and we walk out with a new helmet the same day.