how hard is it to claim compensation?

I was knocked off in 2007 by a driver who didn't stop at a mini roundabout. Claims are a blood sport - a tussle over a few £100 either way. Get a lawyer - I think Slater & Gordon are the cycling go-to - I used a no-win no fee firm I got via my house insurance legal help service (charging for which is a massive scam by insurance companies btw).

I got £2000 and a course of physio for a wrecked bike and a badly sprained ankle - I think it went on a few months. What struck me is that there's a whole industry out there of claims people, lawyers, private doctors that you don't normally see. 

thank goodness for the other driver who saw what happened, came forward and put to bed the pack of lies (no penalty for this, btw) told by the driver to the police and her own insurance. 

Had 2 minor claims against motorists. Axa were deliberately obstructive and seemed to rely on ignoring communication in the hope you would go away. Aviva paid out within a few days of submitting my claim. Both incidents were substantially less than £1000, had camera evidence, police report and pictures of damage to clothing and bicycle. I didn't take the piss with spurious injury claims, though I understand payouts for actual injuries can take far longer as the long term consequences take time to evaluate. No intermediary solicitor involved in either claim, but definitely recommend using a reputable firm if your claim is likely to be more substantial involving personal injury.

I now insure house, contents and motor vehicles with Aviva.

My other half was knocked off her bike almost 2 years ago. It was low speed and thankfully she had nothing worse than a few bruises and bad memories, but the front wheel was ruined and the fork was cracked. It was 18 months before we saw a penny, and it was a fight every step of the way.

After being knocked off by a driver turning across me it took about 2.5 years to get anything out of their insurance. Part of this was that the doc who assessed my injury said that my injuries should fully heal after a set period and the solicitor wanted to wait for this period to confirm that I was fully healed at this point before serving papers on the insurance company. Once the papers were sent they were pretty quick in coming back with a stupid low offer which the solicitor told me to ignore and then they came back with a better offer almost 3 times what they originally offered showing how they were just trying it on with the first offer.

3 years and two months on, I'm still waiting patiently.
There's a limitation in Scotland (dunno if it applies in England), that if there is no settlement on 3 years, you can take them to the High Court.
Papers have been filed, and we're now waiting for either a sensible offer, or court; court will be potentially in March 2022, 3 years, 7 months after the collision.

Luckily, although my injuries are life changing, I've not been left needing specialist medical equipment or care.

I would say it depends on the insurance company in the UK. Mine paid out to someone I had an accident with even though the evidence was debatable!

In my very limited experience insurance companies in Australia only pay up if they think you will go to court. They will try as many delays and ridiculous requirements as possible. I haven't had any direct experience with insurance claims in the UK but it wouldn't surprise me for it to be similar.

OTOH I was hit by a car in Germany and their insurance just sent me a check without me even asking for money. A friend had their bike stolen (aslo in Germany) and his insurer just paid up when receiving the claim form, no requests for photos of the bike showing exactly how it was locked before it was stolen, no requests for proof that it hadn't been abandoned.

It's a different world.