Forum

[nige]

Hi all as my crusader spends more time in the garage than on the road i have a vespa registered 125 but fitted with a 180 kit, I find that i have trouble with insurance. We all like to put mods and add ons onto are enfields but are we really covered by the insurance if unfortunate enough to have an accident? just a thought. Cheers.

[Ian Martin]

Tell the insurance broker everything you do to the bike otherwise they have a get out when the big claim lands on their desk. They will gladly take your money when you take out a policy and  they always ask if the bike is modified in any way - if you don't tell them then you are withholding significant information which the insurance company could argue would have altered their decision on how much your premium should have been or even if they would have issued cover in the first place. I always tell my broker Carol Nash whats been done and send a photo of the bike. In my case the modifications consist of fairing, panniers, top box, crash bars and Amal carb, so far all have been accepted with no additional premium. Better safe than sorry. I think the fact that none of the modifications were performance improvements my have eased the situation.

[Dennis C]

Ian you did well with CN, I rang them a couple of years ago for a quote on a small collection of classic bikes, they asked if any where modified, I replied that as some of them where older than me it was very likely they where not as they left the factory, they replied that they did not insure modified bikes and declined to quote.


 I rang back the next day and got a quote with no problem not even asked if any where modified.


What constitutes a modification?, I don't know but any insurer will wriggle out of paying if they can find a way.

[nige]

You are right with what you say Dennis, everything is ok until the claim drops on the office table,then thats when the mods you didnt include or didnt know had been done if you are the second or third owner its a very gray area when you discuss what mods have been done with the insurance people, the only safe way is to keep standard with no modifications.

[grunda 12]

hi nige, when i got knocked off my bantam i had no problem with my claim ,carole nash was the broker ,group ama the insurer,d14/4 bantam, trials saddle high level exhaust neither standard d14/4 so modified ,my bantam was a total write off,i had valued it at £800 not aggread,when it came to paying up group ama paid £800 - £25 excess i,ll get that back when i get my compensation claim sorted ,now for another story when i converted my 350 home market bullet to diesel carole nash ummed n ardd so i blew them out and went to footman james no probs + cheaper than carole gnasher who had been lifting my leg since 1992 never had a claim until the deadly astra driver splitarse tried to assasinate me

[Alan R]

Hi guys---------- Mr & Mrs. Average, when asked a question, tend to give a "Definative" answer. It's human nature. But, as we all know, the Insurance world is a 90% grey area. So play the same game.  When asked about any mods. just answer " None that I am curently aware of"  or   " None were disclosed to me upon purchase".  Also, you might go on the offensive and ask them to supply you with a DEFINATIVE list of changes they consider Non-standard for your particular machine. Some after-market items are allowed to be retro-fitted and not contravene the "Approved type" status of that model--- thus making them "Standard by approval" so to speak. With our lovely Enfields there could be a line of thinking that says ANY mod.is an improvement !! And now---------------------- I have to talk with the Customs & Excise people  !!!!  ----------It's been nice knowing you all---please come and visit me ??