MCE always charge excessively, that's why they're the cheapest. My first year was £560 third party could've gone tpft £1050 excess not worth it, second year £280 third party because the excess is still the same! It is quite clear on the comparison sites what the excess is and if he rang up they're would've told him as well, and I'm sure the paper work/email would've stated it as well. Hard lesson to learn at such a young age but this is life sometimes, best bet is to try and find the bike, check the rough estates etc and circulate it on Facebook to biker groups in sure they'll be happy to try and help.