Avoiding insurance ripoffs

[charlie_a]

Following on from the Hastings Direct are scum thread and other insurance con threads on here and based on a recent experience thought it may be a good idea to post tips for avoiding the great UK bike/ car insurance rip off.

Always check the TOS for the cancellation fee during and after the cooling off period (14 days from signing up). Some companies charge up to £50 plus a percentage on cancellation for updating a form on a computer. Just buying a new bike may mean you have to cancel the policy cause your current insurer doesn't cover that bike. You'll need to cancel your insurance if you want to move your no claims bonus to a new policy.

If you're auto renewing your policy get some comparison quotes.The convenience of auto renewing could add up to 100% on your existing premium.

When filling in the quote form online be as accurate as possible. Any changes the insurance company or broker makes on the phone will more than likely add money to the quote.

Check the customer number you contact them on. Some company's use 0844 numbers which can cost you 9p a min (loads more from your mobile) and they get a share of the money you pay.

Never buy a Ducati, they cost a fecking fortune to insure


Some comparison sites:
https://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/
https://www.moneysupermarket.com/motorbike-insurance/
https://www.comparethemarket.com/bike-insurance/

[woo]

nice
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[angryjonny]

[iooi]

Why do you need to advise people on .....

Good old common sense.....

Seems to me that people are getting more stupid by the day
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[charlie_a]

Yeah, nanny state!

If I ever see those don't get done get Dom type shows I usually think fecking morons, who would fall for that. but anyone can fall for these insurance small print type scams if you don't know what to look out for. Who has time to read through all the small print?

[willis1337]

Insurance:

- Full bike and car licence for over 15 years.
- IAM, Bikesafe and other courses done and passed (was actually thinking of becoming an IAM observer).
- Clean licence (zero points ever).
- Aged over 40.
- 6 years NCB on bike (would be 10+ but had a break of a couple of years), 9+ years on car (all protected).
- One claim on car insurance (my fault) earlier this year (1st accident in 10+ years) - value <£2k (me + other party - no injuries).
- Bike fitted with manufacturers alarm and immobiliser.
- Cemented in ground anchor used with abus chains x2 (yes two seperate ground anchors) one at each end of bike.
- Abus disclock for good measure.
- Bike covered and cover locked on with cable lock.
- Bike kept on driveway.

Bike is a one year old BMW K1300S. I do about 10k miles a year (pleasure only - no commuting etc). I own a car which is insured and used for work in finance company (office based mainly).

I rarely carry a pillion, but want this to be included just in case (I am a responsible soul).

I am married and own my own home. I do not live in London, Manchester or Liverpool.

I am a member of my local MAG.

Can I get insurance on my bike? Yes, but I only one quote after applying on all the usual sites / companies:

£550 for a year with a £650 excess on any claim. All the other usual suspects have declined to quote.

I am seriously thinking of giving up biking as this is fkn stupid.

So there you go, don't bother with security / biking qualifications / memberships / NCB. Just get a cheap bike, then you'll get insurance, cos in reaility you will not really need it.
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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S

[Derivative]

[willis1337]

Fully comp. TPFT comes out just as expensive. TPO waste of time as if it gets nicked I would get nil.
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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S

[willis1337]

Bikesure (MAG's preferred insurer) no quote due to lack of garage.

So list to date is:

Bikeinsurer
Money Supermarket
Compare the Market
Tesco Compare
Bennetts
Direct Line
A local motorcycle broker
Devit
and various others I cannot remember as I am so pissed off at mo.
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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S

[stinkwheel]

Advice:

Pay the whole policy at once, NOT in installments.

If you pay in installments, the broker buys the policy then sets up a Hire-Purchase agreement on it with you.

If you then cancel, there is nothing to stop the broker cancelling the policy, keeping the money returned (if any) and STILL charging you the monthly fee.

Be warned, it can and does happen. It has happened to people off here.

Don't say you wont cancel, you can't tell, your bike might blow up and you need to insure a new one and you can land up still forking out for the insurance on the old one.

Also, the APR on these monthly repayments can be 25% or more.

It would be better, safer and cheaper in the long term to get an unsecured personal loan off your bank and buy the policy in its entirety.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.