Chaps - I have just after much deliberation and two nights on the web insured with Bennetts after my last company (Footman James) now only insure classics or similar. After much playing on the compare sites the choice came down to companies which were either too expensive or too dodgy i.e.when you read the small print on line and ring up to query, they wanted �12.50 just to take a phone booking as I dared to ask questions. So back to Bennetts (�139 fully comp @ 47 years old) - they limit you to three modifications in my case a screen & top box but I could not get the girl to understand what Touratech handguards were and gave up (she said they must be heated grips!). I would love to dabble about with and end can and play about with filters etc but this would put me over the limit.
So my question to all of you who modify bikes - who do you insure with as again I have found most companies don't like to insure modified bikes but the mags & sites are full of them - or do you not let on and hope for the best in the case of a claim???
Cheers Daveb

Watch Bennetts auto-renewal. Not only do they auto renew, but they auto renew with extras you never realised you needed. My Auto renewal was �400 higher than my previous years premium! Luckily my credit card co rang to query it, so I stopped it. Hands up, it was my fault for not reading the small print, but didn't expect the level of cover to be elevated.
Just my experience.
Rob

Last year, Swinton Bikes on the Tenere (MCE for the Tiger), �74 Comprehensive insurance with every extra listed (grips, bars, cables, GPS, bash plate, PC-V, air filter, can, lights, levers, luggage, oiler, footpegs and more..).

They wanted the cost of the extras, and confirmation that the can didn't give more than 5% power ( I think it was 5%, memory!) but other than that they weren't really bothered.

Before that Carol Nash had a similar attitude to modifications, but their prices appear to have gone a little 'off' in my experience.

I do live in a part of the world with very low crime, and I have a little card from the IAM that says I'm a lower risk

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Im with Carol Nash and they dont care about mods on either of my bikes as long as it doesnt increase the BHP by more than 5%.

I am with Bennets - 2 bikes, Tenere and GS 1200.

I went through all accessories and modifications with them. All are bolt on accessories and none are performance related.

BMW Panniers and Yamaha Panniers and Top Box are considered standard.

They could not find Spotlamps on their list, so decided they need not be declared for either bike.

They did not know what a headlamp protector or handguards are, so decided they need not be listed.

So, the only mods they added are ….

* Givi Top Box on BMW – value �100
* Heated Handlebar grips on Yamaha – value �50
* Crashbars on Yamaha – value �100 (they cost �170, but their max declared value is only �100!!!)

After all that, the price did not change anyway, so I renewed.

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http://www.freewebs.com/my2wheels/

I am an IAM Member and use their insurance service thru a company called Adelaide insurance in Belfast.

They also insure my wife who is non IAM and will haggle over a price.

They ask for a total value of bike with all extras and then give you a price - mine with the handguards, scottoiler, heated grips, sump guard, top box, spots and hugger I valued at �4999 - over �5k is a higher premium.

With breakdown cover and all the bits �126 fully comp.

http://www.adelaideinsurance.com/

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XT660z NO MORE.

Thanks for the response. Swinton would not qoute for me (too much of arisk doing 3000 miles a year & 6years NCB) & Bennets are going to screw me next year! You know there may be a gap in the market for a customer service focused company out there.

I am with Carole Nash who seem happy to accept a long list of Mods - well bolt on accessories to both my bikes. My wife is with ebike this time who also seem ok with a list of bolt on mods. Anecdotally it's Bennetts, or at least the insurance co behind Bennetts that has a problem with modifications - even treating stickers as modifications.

My son was with Bennetts a couple of years ago and the usual thing when he changed bike mid policy the premium rocketed to a crazy amount so he cancelled and went elsewhere. Apart from the exorbitant cancellation fees it took about 3 months to get the pitiful refund despite repeated calls, letters, emails and escalations. Never again with Bennetts after that.


Sent from my iPhone with a smile

I have all 3 of my bikes on one multi bike policy with ebike. Cost me around �200 a year with all the mods, and there are many!, declared. Never increased my premiums until i added the soft panniers before going on a trip. For that they wanted �48 for the remainder of the year. Guess its compensating for an increase in theft risk. No increases for airfilter, PCV, screen etc.

Rob

I never add soft luggage as a modification on the basis that its not permanent fixture and it will be covered on the house insurance along with their contents if stolen or damaged in a crash. If we go down the line of having to declare items like soft luggage where do we draw the line, every time I strap a dry bag to the bike do I notify the insurance?