Insurance for Modified Motorcycles
Discussion
Agreed, but not completed, a purchase of a 20 year old Harley with some mofifications, to include a JMC Swinging Arm, Big Bore kit with Camshafts (only another 100cc), custom painted tank and a steering damper.
I'm an old guy, with a perfect claims record. Only wanted SD&P cover, fully comp.
Until now have insured through Bennetts or Carole Nash.
Neither would quote online. Bennetts said that only one insurer was interested and would take up to a week to respond.Carole Nash made a similar response. It would want to know the following:-
Has special paint been used and if so what is it and how much does it cost?
Why was the carb changed and how much was it?
Why was the engine size increased, how much did it cost, who did it, and what is the power increase?
Why was the Swinging Arm changed, who did this, and how much did it cost?
The insurer might require a professional inspection.
I can't go any further with the purchase until the insurance position is resolved and of course would not risk purchasing a bike that I can't insure.
Does anyone have any recommendations for an insurer or broker that might be able to help?
I'm an old guy, with a perfect claims record. Only wanted SD&P cover, fully comp.
Until now have insured through Bennetts or Carole Nash.
Neither would quote online. Bennetts said that only one insurer was interested and would take up to a week to respond.Carole Nash made a similar response. It would want to know the following:-
Has special paint been used and if so what is it and how much does it cost?
Why was the carb changed and how much was it?
Why was the engine size increased, how much did it cost, who did it, and what is the power increase?
Why was the Swinging Arm changed, who did this, and how much did it cost?
The insurer might require a professional inspection.
I can't go any further with the purchase until the insurance position is resolved and of course would not risk purchasing a bike that I can't insure.
Does anyone have any recommendations for an insurer or broker that might be able to help?
I had a quick look at Practical Sportsbike as I remembered a company putting a little paragraph after modified bikes.
It was a company called RH insurance but it looks like they may need an engineers report for serious mods.
I suspect most companies will require that for anything chassis related.
What I do:
Use a broker
To make life simple I agree that whilst the bike is modified I'll accept a payout as if it was standard - ie stolen / damaged I'd only get the std parts prices
Insurers don't want to write something off for a scratch because it has special paint etc
It works for me as I've never claimed in 30+ years and all my cars and most of my bikes are modified, I can't give you my broker as I'm Trade but I'm sure similar exist for individuals
Use a broker
To make life simple I agree that whilst the bike is modified I'll accept a payout as if it was standard - ie stolen / damaged I'd only get the std parts prices
Insurers don't want to write something off for a scratch because it has special paint etc
It works for me as I've never claimed in 30+ years and all my cars and most of my bikes are modified, I can't give you my broker as I'm Trade but I'm sure similar exist for individuals
Two of my three bikes are heavily modified and I was insured for several years with Carole Nash. A bit of a faff giving all the mod info but got there in the end, however (as appears to be the norm) they gradually ramped up the price each year until this year they wanted double what I paid last year and wouldn't budge even a pound.
Insured this year with Footman James on an agreed value, classic, multibike policy who were happy for the mods and didn't even seem particularly interested in what mods were done (CN previously wanted a full list with prices and photos) for way less money than CN were even last year. I also didn't need to 'barter' with them over the agreed value as with CN, they simply accepted what I suggested - presumably basing the premium on that value?
The only 'odd' limitation was that as it is a classic policy (all bikes over 20 years old) the riding other bikes only allows me to ride other bikes that are 20 or more years old.
On a more refreshing note, when I called them I got straight through to a person and it was all sorted easily and quickly - of course I can't comment on how good they are in the event of a claim but impressions so far are good.
Insured this year with Footman James on an agreed value, classic, multibike policy who were happy for the mods and didn't even seem particularly interested in what mods were done (CN previously wanted a full list with prices and photos) for way less money than CN were even last year. I also didn't need to 'barter' with them over the agreed value as with CN, they simply accepted what I suggested - presumably basing the premium on that value?
The only 'odd' limitation was that as it is a classic policy (all bikes over 20 years old) the riding other bikes only allows me to ride other bikes that are 20 or more years old.
On a more refreshing note, when I called them I got straight through to a person and it was all sorted easily and quickly - of course I can't comment on how good they are in the event of a claim but impressions so far are good.
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