A quick reply from Bennetts

[Gothtec]

Got a reply for my insurance company about my mods, only emailed them late last night and got the email this morning - so quick:


"Hello,

Thank you for your email. When you go through some comparison sites, often one of their assumptions is that the bike has not been modified in anyway. We can cover a wide range of modifications, but what we need to do in these circumstances is refer these changes to your insurer for their approval. The soft leather items do not need to be declared, only hard luggage. Also as long as the tires are of the same specification as the originals they do not need to be declared (i.e replaced due to wear and tear). If the paint work protectors are just stickers like a tank pad, they do not also need to be declared.

The rest we have referred for you. We request that while we are waiting for a response from your insurer, please do not ride the bike, as there may not be cover in place. For clarification on our modifications policy, please read the guide on our website:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bike-insurance/our-modification-policy/

We do insure bikes to tow trailers, but this needs to be requested on your insurance policy. To discuss this please call our Customer Services Team on: 0844 412 2171.

Many Thanks
Bennetts"

The "please do not ride the bike" is a bit raw, I'm 50 miles from home and need to get back today

This is my list of mods:

"I have very basic mods -

New mirrors (actually old mirrors from a previous bike)
Soft leather panniers (throw overs) with stays to stop them getting tangled in the wheel
Soft leather tool roll.
Tank bra to keep my disc lock in.
Heated grips (a must in the cold to keep your hands from seizing up - never fitted as standard to any bike - except the goldwing) - I got these free
A couple of paint work protectors to stop the tool roll going through the paint work.
A rear rack (Also from a previous bike).
A pair of new tires (although show me any bike over 3 years old that doesn't), purchased after taking out my insurance.
GPS unit (never left on the bike) - very old garmin street pilot 3 (over 10 years old) - but better than a tank bag and map combination I used to use!

I look after my bike, and I would have thought that most of the above would be what a bike gathers over the years of ownership?"

So after looking its the rack, mirrors, grips and gps... So shouldn't be an issue, as they probably wont cover them bits and just cover the bike! :fingers crossed:
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[P.addy]

But are the tyres the ones that it came out of the factory with?

My bike doesn't have them, will never have them as they are obsolete

[Gothtec]

[MarJay]

I wouldn't consider any of that to be a modification. Jeez.

Can't people use common sense any more?
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Andy_Pagin]

Would you want to trust your insurance to a company that can't spell 'tyres' (tires)?
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[J.M.]

[c-m]

Unless the OP was just looking for a reaction from Bennetts, then he is a moron.

A GPS unit is not a mod, any more so than the change you keep in your pocket while riding.

A tool roll is also clearly not a mod.

What's gotten into you?
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[bwprice100]

.
It'll be that artic trailer you are towing that is causing the problem
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www.eBolt.co.uk www.ToolRoomChucks.co.uk
My bikes 1956 BMW R26 250cc, !981 BMW R80 (was a TIC ex plod), 1994 R100RT, sold my 1981 Yam XS 250

[Pete.]

I would not declare any of that either but now they have explicitly told you there might be no cover if you ride it you might fall foul and can't even plead ignorance.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Hetzer]

[P.addy]

[G]

If the tool roll is held on the outside it could be considered worthy of note for insurance - incorrectly fitted and it could easily cause an accident, hit another vehicle etc.
Wouldn't consider it a modification, still, personally.

[MarJay]

[P.addy]

I think you should only declare what you want covered in the event of a non fault accident.

Things like my cheap exhaust I wouldn't bother claiming for as the rules are now, I would have to declare it and increase my premium even though the noise/power is similar, just looks a little better

[c-m]

[Gothtec]

A reply from comparethemarket.com:

"Dear,

Thank you for submitting your query to comparethemarket.com.

As a comparison website we provide customers with the opportunity to compare quotes from a range of providers. Once you have completed the quote process and clicked on 'go to insurer', you leave the comparethemarket.com website and are directed to the providers own website.

Unfortunately, after leaving comparethemarket.com to go to the provider’s site we are unable to identify who you purchased an insurance policy with.

The Simples Rewards scheme commenced on Monday 4th July 2011 and is applicable to qualifying purchases of car, van home and pet insurance with a policy start date of 4th July 2011 or later and motorbike or life insurance with a policy start date of 6th October 2011 or later.

If you are yet to claim a toy reward, you can do so by visiting meerkovo.com where you will find the online claim form. This form must be completed within 60 days of purchasing your policy. Once you have submitted your claim you will receive a confirmation email from us for submitting your claim form, and email communications with updates on the progression of your claim.

Please note it can take up to 90 days for your toy reward to be delivered."

I miss out on the toy by one day, one day!!!
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[swiftb]

[LordShaftesbu...]

[mysterious_rider]

Insurance companies can all suck my cock. I won't be declaring any modifications to those scumbags. Can all go to hell.

Aftermarket endcan?
different healights?

I don't know what you're talking about, I bought it like that.

[Gothtec]

[UnspeedySam]

How likely are you to be screwed in the event of an accident if you don't declare an aftermarket can? They do seem to ramp up premiums if you declare them...
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[janner_10]

I've oiled my chain this morning - I better inform my insurance company as it a mod.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[t121anf]

do you lot go into this detail for your cars?

roof racks?
cycle racks?
removing rear seats to take stuff to the tip?
cheaper tyres than oem ones? (most car drivers seem happy to ask for the cheapest for their size)
"powered by fairy dust" stickers?
removing badges?
carrying tools?
carrying passengers?
etc etc

as said, use some common sense, its a vehicle and is designed to carry stuff

[LordShaftesbu...]

[funmonkee]

I've heard this on other forums.

It's getting silly. Insurance companies can't seem to use common sense to distinguish between a modification and a replacement. I can understand performance (cans, shock etc) replacements being classed as a mod, but not tyres, bar ends, grips, sprockets, fork springs, even oil... these are consumables

I suspect it's all a ploy to bump premiums. after all that's the point of them
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**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]