Modified bike insurance

[pdg]

Well, it's a couple of months until insurance time comes up again, but wondered if anyone had any recommendations for companies that will cover a modified bike? Last renewal time I wasted a whole crap load of time with the following sort of conversations:

Me: Do you cover modified bikes?

Ins: Yes, we do (sometimes with the sentence "we specialise in modified bikes")

At this point, go through all the usual details until

Ins: Is the bike modified in any way?

Me: Yes, that's why I asked earlier...

Ins: What modifications have been done?

Me: I have changed the handlebars, the wheels, the gearbox, the swingarm, the rear shock (and so on).

Ins: I'm afraid we can't quote for that.

Me: But you said you covered (/specialised in) modified bikes?

Ins: We do, but that is too modified.

Me: What do you class as modifications you can cover (/specialise in) then?

Ins: Stickers, heated grips, double bubble screens.

Me: Fucking hell.


So, any companies that cover bikes that have actually been modified instead of just having trinkets bolted on?
____________________
Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[Hahadumball]

but they where on it when you bought the bike.. how where you to know it wasn't standard
____________________
Fin: no matter how much I look at It I can't understand what was going through my head, all I remember is going about 80 and redlining it to stop it seizing.
360 Deg... Five 1/4 turns. :- Teflon-Mike 18 Jan 2015

[Rogerborg]

Of course, you may have queered the pitch by ever declaring modifications.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Pete.]

Bikesure cover heavily modified bikes.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

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

[Taught2BCauti...]

Unless the modifications have made a significant difference to the power output or handling characteristics, from the original manufacturer's specification - I wouldn't bother declaring them.

Things like additional lighting, panniers and top box, screens, crash bars, etc. are usually considered to be 'accessories' and usually only need to be declared if you want them covered for theft - but expect to pay extra for them.

Try Swintons - I have found them pretty good at finding cover for non-standard circumstances.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[rubyhorse2]

i've only ever declared one thing to my insurers and thats the exhaust.

All of them are utterly clueless as to how any mod might effect a bike.

[pdg]

[Doovy]

[rubyhorse2]

[stevo as b4]

General rule is declare all visible and obvious mods only I would say.

I would always mention stuff like extra electrical gear such as lighting, radio's and heated grips or accessory sockets though. Anything that has the potential to be a fire risk or damage the rest of the bikes wiring if installed incorrectly.


Oh and if you think modified bike insurance is fun and games, try getting car insurance for something with an A4 page of changes and non- standard parts. It'll make you feel lucky and relieved to be insuring a bike!

[CaNsA]

Me discussing every insurance policy I have ever taken out....

https://i.imgur.com/e69wDWw.jpg

[Fowlersrs]

[pdg]

If it was silly stuff as mentioned (stickers, lights, luggage, screen etc.) then yeah, I wouldn't bother.

But, it's not.

It's stuff that could be construed to affect the structure of the bike and I've seen reports of 'certain' forces impounding bikes for lack of insurance due to undeclared mods. Plus there's the whole hassle of the ins. co. cancelling a policy due to non-disclosure if they 'find out'.

Seeing as how with mods my last premium was well under 80 quid for the year, the cost/hassle/benefit analysis just didn't work in favour of "yeah mate, as it left the factory innit".
____________________
Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[Rogerborg]

[CaNsA]

Why should my premium be increased because I have fitted braided brake lines?

If it was a turbo charger with 100000hp then totally slap £££ on my policy, but getting screwed over because i want improved braking they can get to fuck.

cheeky fuckers.

[pdg]

Braided brake lines?

Well, I have them on the car and the bike - did actually discuss this with ins. co. a few years back and they said "it's a service replacement". Exactly the same answer was given when discussing exhausts - unless 'race pipe' it's not classed as a 'mod' as such.

I'll go along with that.

Thing is, almost all the vehicles I've ever had have been at least slightly modified in one way or another and I've not had trouble getting reasonably priced insurance - once I've found a company willing to cover of course...

I've even had an agent tell me their underwriters class modified machines as a lower risk than stock ones.
____________________
Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[Kickstart]

Hi

My Bandit with a load of mods declared is insured through H&R insurance.

All the best

Katy
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[CaNsA]

[pdg]

[Rogerborg]

[Kickstart]