One of Britain’s biggest motorcycle insurers is refusing to cover machines with more than three modifications, irrespective of what they are.
Bikes with four minor alterations such as a sticker are automatically rejected by Bennetts Insurance while those with three major modifications including nitrous oxide may not be.
Potential customers are asked to identify modifications to their bike by choosing from a comprehensive list.
The list of over 50 possible modifications ranges from a tank protector to specially built frame, but riders can select a maximum of three no matter which they are. Failure to declare any could invalidate the policy.
One rider said "I recently rang up Bennetts and enquired about fitting a K&N air filter to my bike. However they said because I already had three modifications, that is the maximum I am allowed, and if I went ahead I would be uninsured."
Bennetts insures 200,000 UK riders and provides quotes to 600,000 a year, more than half the country’s total motorcyclists according to the firm’s website.
Other major bike insurers including Carole Nash and MCE said they did not have a similar limit.
A Bennetts spokeswoman said: "The current Bennetts system allows a maximum of three modifications because historically the number of bikers, when quoting through one of our direct channels, who list more than one modification is very low. “
She said Bennetts would listen to feedback on the issue.
usual bollox from the insurance companies - like to see it tested in court!
Mind u i wouldnt touch Bennetts with a 10 foot pole - massively over priced but suppose they have to pay for all that sponsorship somehow.
I did find Bennets the best option for 1 year.
Do NOT just let them reinsure you though, without checking out quotes! I saved over £120, for the same cover, from elsewhere!
Probably the same for most companies though. DO NOT automatically take your present suppliers quote, shop around and see what is best for YOU.
And, as this thread says, look out for the small print. It's all in the details.
Last time I filled in an insurance questionnaire and it came to the question of modifications, the company made it quite clear they were only interest in those that either affected the performance or substantially affected the valuation.
I usually answer 'not to my knowledge' when asked the question. If the previous owner has fitted a go-faster chip and not told me then as far as I'm concerned it's not been modded.
I get the feeling that reinsuring next March will be more difficult and costly. Reports suggest that a number of insurers are walking away from motorcycle insurance; Aviva (my current insurer through Carole Nash) won't give pillion cover for sports bikes and; now Bennets are limiting modifications. I also had a bad experience with Equity Red Star through Swinton Bikes so I hope that there is someone with whom I can get continue to be insured.
Jack Jones In: Lincolnshire bas
Posts: 1468
Karma:
A must read!https://www.facebook.com/</SP...565
Bennetts
We always want bikers to be frank with us and appreciate your feedback. We’ve heard you and so we are urgently reviewing our modification/accessories policy. Just to confirm, multiple stickers are classed as one modification and not individual modifications as you may have read.
blimey!! are they actually listening to us!!
As we all aware insurance is getting dearer and more specific every time we renew...too many people taking advantage of no win no fee solicitors means they been paying thousands out for minor bruises and cuts....things which only a few yrs ago would have been shrugged off by those 'injured. all this does is push up everyones premiums... So if u knock a pedestrain over,, better to go back an finish the job so there no claim on ya ins!!
I just reinsured my blackbird in Holland... 130 euros for a year. Doesn't have to be garaged either (They don't even ask the question about storage!).
It's a doddle here getting insurance. No such thing as on-street vs garage parking, they don't care about modifications etc... they only care about your history as a rider and if you've cost the insurance companies money in the past. Oh and did I mention that here you insure the VEHICLE, not the person - so anyone can ride my bike! if my bike doesn't work I can ride anyone else's too, no problem. If my neighbour has a ferarri and I have no bike/car at all I can still borrow his fararri legally. Funny eh how different it is just over the pond?
Jack Jones In: Lincolnshire bas
Posts: 1468
Karma:
Bikesure can offer members bike-related benefits including agreed values, cover note via email, unlimited mileage for classics, free legal cover, a low-cost policy for helmet & leathers cover and up to 365 day European cover.
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Bikesure recently developed a “Ride Your Mates’ Bikes” scheme that’s aimed very much at riders clubs.
Subject to criteria, it gives policyholders fully comprehensive cover when they ride other people’s motorcycles, allowing members to ride one another’s bikes without worrying about insurance.
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just got this from Bennetts on Facebook:
MCN said we couldn’t take more than 3 modifications. This was true. We’ve now resolved this. Simply call us. Our apologies. MCN said Bennetts claims could be rejected over a basic sticker. False. We’ve gone one further though and removed stickers from our mods list. Check with your insurer if you’re not with Bennetts, as it’s likely they will still class stickers as modifications. This was common industry practice until we heard your feedback and changed our policy over the weekend.Full details at bennetts.co.uk
![Bennetts say no more than 3 mods or insurance invalid - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
![Bennetts say no more than 3 mods or insurance invalid - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8desktopLQ.jpg)
