Insurance

[Statler]

My insurance is due next month and i am currently with Bennets, being the owner of a GS1200 they will only allow 3 modifications or extras fitted to the bike. As mine has more than the 3 allowed all fitted by the dealer as options, i was looking at moving to a different company or go through BMW.
Any good or bad feedback on using BMW for the insurance would be of help.
Thanks in advance

 

[Wapping]

Absolutely tiptop, wouldn't have a word said against them, biker friendly products for bikers.

 

[Reckless]

I agree - BMW are very good - their premiums are very competitive but they will want to know all mods & extras - they upped my premium £10 for a Remus can & K&Ns on my 1200S. Last year I switched to Carole Nash because I needed a Green Card for Morocco but I will be running back to BMW at renewal.

 

[Beemerman59]

Just to play fair and counteract Wappings obvious ploy for bonus points, I was with BMW and then switched to Carole Nash after they upped my premium by nearly £100 with no changes on the risk. Having said that, I am fully expecting the usual annual game of hunt the best deal when mine's up for renewal as no doubt CN will do exactly the same now they have my money and (they think) my business.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Carole Nash offer better options than BMW if you're thinking of travelling further afield in Europe.

 

[Georgeeboi]

Everyone should feck bennetts off cheeky buggers no more than three mods!

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I've got two Beemers (RT & GSA) insured with BMW Insurance fully comp the pair £230

 

[er-minio]

I was insured the first year through Bennets.
Then BMW (I think the insurer is Devitts now). I prefer the BMW policy, there is much less "small print".


Curiosity about the "mods": I have Ohlins shocks on the bike, fitted almost two years ago, bought via UKGser from FTR, and then fitted on the bike by BMW Parklane. I never told the insurance anything.

Is it just to recalculate the total higher value of the bike (I couldn't care less) or is there any other reason?

 

[wideparting]

i am currently with Bennets,

think bennets have shot themselves in the foot with this one.a lot of my mates have cruisers[dressed up like liberaces piano].and are leaving in droves because of this ruling.

 

[Beemerman59]

I would ask myself if the mods affect the value/performance of my bike or changes the specification of the bike in any other way which could be seen as changing the risk. If I answer yes to any of these I tell my insurers. I want to be covered for loss if the bike's nicked (Ohlins are not cheap) and I want to be insured if I have say upped the power output by an appreciable amount above standard spec. I think most insurers have a 5BHP leeway on this in my own experience.

Carole Nash added a 10% premium on mine for the options I have fitted above the standard bike's value, which have a replacement value of about £3.5K on top of the bike itself. Seemed reasonable enough to me. Even got the SatNav added as it fits in a lockable cradle (TT) and therefore is considered as "fixed" to the bike.

 

[Statler]

Thanks for your replys, I have been with Bennets 7 yrs with no claims and clean licence. My bike is a R1200GS SE and Bennets do not have the SE model on there list so they classified the bike as a standard bike with extras so the (Heated grips, Topbox, Panniers, all standard on SE) Extra driving lights, Fender extender, and Mudsling, are all classified as extras. even though they do not increase the performance of the bike they will not accept me.

 

[Beemerman59]

Thanks for your replys, I have been with Bennets 7 yrs with no claims and clean licence. My bike is a R1200GS SE and Bennets do not have the SE model on there list so they classified the bike as a standard bike with extras so the (Heated grips, Topbox, Panniers, all standard on SE) Extra driving lights, Fender extender, and Mudsling, are all classified as extras. even though they do not increase the performance of the bike they will not accept me.

Try Carole Nash - in my case we just totted up the replacement value of the extra's and they loaded my premium 10%. In my case that was about another £20 a year (it's also a multi bike policy) which is nothing in the overall scheme of things. With BMW insurance I had to get an independant report from a garage to verify the mods as I had fitted them myself and therefore had no dealer invoices etc., to prove fitment and value.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Thanks for your replys, I have been with Bennets 7 yrs with no claims and clean licence. My bike is a R1200GS SE and Bennets do not have the SE model on there list so they classified the bike as a standard bike with extras so the (Heated grips, Topbox, Panniers, all standard on SE) Extra driving lights, Fender extender, and Mudsling, are all classified as extras. even though they do not increase the performance of the bike they will not accept me.

That confirms just what a bunch of wankers they are

 

[mossop]

been with carole nash for a couple of years now but i am moving to BMW at end of month after recieving my renewal (thought jeremy beadle was on the scene again) but helpfully they checked thier database and found a quote 30 quid cheaper but wanted to more than double my excess , the cheeky wee monkies , phoned bmw and saved myself almost £100 , carole nash phoned a couple of days after the renewal and when told why i was't renewing got told they weren't going to drop the price by even a pound , greedy feckers

 

[Buz]

Slightly off topic:
My bike was insured thru Bennets.
I was knocked off my bike in October, bike written off, 3rd party eventually accepted liability (2 weeks ago). I'm looking at replacing the bike this weekend and wondering how best to insure it? I'm looking for the best deal that may mean not going back with Bennetts but i'm thinking due to the ongoing claim would it be best to stick with Bennets as they know what has been happening?
Anyone had this issue before

 

[Wapping]

Buz, your's is a 'no-fault' accident / crash, where the third party met all your costs. You have not claimed off your policy at all.

Do just as you should always do, irrespective. Call lots of alternative brokers, surf lots of comparison websites until you find a quote that suits YOU in the Forest of Gump not me in Londinium nor the one suited Hamish MacTavish on the Isle of Muck.

Which can bring us back on topic, quite neatly:

The same advice applies to the OP too, of course. Why? As it's the same advice that always applies to everyone who asks the same or similar question.... Here's a fresh example to prove the point:


http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288410


In which the bod starts off wailing and ranting about the total inequality of life and the need to sell one of his bikes as uninsurable... then does a bit of work (after being persuaded to) and ends up more than happy.

 

[pympster]

I found motorbike insurance was one of the best comparison sites

 

[Wapping]

I use Footman James (amongst others) which highlights the point.... What suits one bod does not suit another, even one in London.

 

[Bear]

Lynbrook (01277 206285) were about £90 cheaper than Carole Nash for my renewal in 2010. They were still cheaper in 2011 so I stayed wit hthem.

 

[Frankh]

Carole Nash rip you off 30 pounds for any and every change to your policy, even changing a number plate, really poor in my opinion. Will never use again and will advise every person who asks to avoid them like the plague!! Bike Specialists ???? I think not. got too big for there own boots and forgotton fairness.