''INSURANCE DO''S & DON''TS''
08 December 2004 - Motorcycle Direct

''MotorCycle Direct are frequently asked for advice on many different aspects relating to insurance. For example, the definitions of the different types of insurance cover, ways to reduce insurance premiums and modification issues amongst others.

To assist customers to choose the right insurance for them, MotorCycle Direct have listed some of the most commonly asked questions and answers.

Differences between the classifications of Third Party Only, Third Party
Fire and Theft and Comprehensive Insurance.

Third Party Only cover -
up to £20 million cover for third party property damage, and costs for injury
to third parties.
Legal costs incurred in the defence of a claim
Where the vehicle is used in another EU country, provide either minimum
cover required by the country being visited or minimum cover required by the
country where the vehicle is usually kept.

Third Party Fire &Theft -
In addition to all the cover provided under TPO cover :-
Damage by fire, lightning or explosion-(non terrorist action)
Damage either during attempted theft or while it is stolen
Stolen and not recovered

Comprehensive -
In addition to all the cover provided under TPF&T:-
Accidental and malicious damage to the insured’s vehicle

2. What can I change on my bike without having to declare it?

Petrol / Tyres / Oil / Chain / Panniers / Top Boxes / Foot Rests.

The area between accessories and modifications has traditionally been quite
confusing – different insurers have different views – our advice is to check
with us before making any changes to your motorcycle

3. Can I get cover for my motorcycle if it is derestricted?

This is another very grey area, each case would need to be individually
referred and very much depends on the individual circumstances.

4. What we would like to see as Intermediaries from clients in terms of
Security - alarms/immobilisers.

Thatcham approved immobilisers, along with security systems, to be fitted –
to lessen the risk of the motorcycle being stolen. In many cases this may also
result in a discount to the premium.

5. Points - the effects of different convictions and for how many years do
they stay on the declaration?

There are different levels of convictions classed by the insurers – less serious
ones such as speeding conviction (sp30) -1 of these on its own in most cases
will not affect your premium and will be classed as spent after 5 years.

Convictions such as drink driving (DR10) would need to be declared up to 11 years on your insurance policy although most insurers will not put a load on your premium if the conviction was over 5 years ago.

6. Garaging - classifications of garage, discounts that this gives.

All of the insurance companies on MotorCycle Directs panel insist that in-
order to gain the garaging discount the structure of the building must be of
brick or concrete construction with a lockable door and generally it must not
be a communal garage.

The location of the garage is also important with most insurers requiring the
garage to be situated on the insured’s property ( though this can be referred in
certain circumstances).

Whilst the motorcycle is at the insured’s home address the minimum
requirement is that it must be kept in the garage between the hours 10pm –
6pm. (There are also some insurers who will insist that while the motorcycle
is at the home address that it is garaged at all times). If this clause is not
adhered to then there is no cover for theft.

The discounts the insurers give vary – usually about 10% - though for certain
risks if there is no garage available, they will not cover.

7. Exhausts - Are non-standard cans a problem and should I even tell my
Insurance company? Will insurance companies still honour the policy if I
claim? Laws on full race systems?

Always check exhausts. Even stamped exhausts can cause problems. As an
example, a road legal stamped end can with a removable baffle can be
unacceptable.

Stage 1 tune – (air filter, race can, resetting / remapping) generally this is not acceptable to the insurers. Always callus to clarify before purchasing or changing.

8. How do multi bike policies work? Off road bikes and six wheel policies.

Multi bike policies – certain insurers will cover this
Generally the way the premiums are worked out is :- the insurers rate on the
highest group bike and then will either charge a flat amount for each
additional bike or will charge an addition % dependant on the value of the
additional bikes. This type of policy offers cover for the insured only,
additional riders cannot be added to the policy.

Off road bikes - To be covered on the public highway they must be road
legal - (tax, road legal exhaust, road legal tyres, road legal lights & fitted with
an ignition key)

Six wheel policies – Joint Car & Bike policies.
This kind of policy is uncommon in the market place.
Motorcycle Direct do not do this type of policy, we can however offer very competitive rates of car insurance to our motorcycle customers through our sister company Motor Direct on 0870 161 6655

9. Changing of cosmetic parts on the bike. Mainly taking fairings off and
replacing them with something else.

Taking off the fairing on its own is normally acceptable under referral to the
insurers, call us first to confirm.

Take a fully faired sports bike and Street fighter it. – Change headlights and
change handle bars – this is acceptable to some insurers under referral.

10. What to do in the event of an accident.

Where there is a third party involved collect the following details from them –
Name, Address, Daytime contact number, Vehicle registration number and
insurance details if known. Contact MotorCycle Direct to report the incident
we will then advise you of the next step depending on the circumstances.

11. Advanced Training course discounts. How they are applied and are they
worth it.

As well as benefiting you in terms of increasing the skill in which you drive
your motorcycle, some of our panel of insurers will award a discount on
completion of certain training courses – Advanced motorcycle training course
and BMF training course.

12. Membership of a motorcycle club/organisation. Why does this benefit my
insurance?

As well as the various advantages that clubs such as BMF and MAG offer to
their members – Discounts on events, publications and regular newsletters etc
some of the insurers on our panel will give you a further discount on your
insurance premium.

13. Dark visors and claiming in the event of an accident.

The insurers differ on their views on this – with some Insurers this
would not effect your claim however, if they believe the dark visor
was a contributory factor to the incident this could effect the Insurers view on
settlement.

14. Full car licences and the cc of bike it entitles you to ride.

If your full car licence was taken before 1st February 2001 then you are able to
ride up-to a 50cc moped without taking a CBT (Please note if you need to
send your licence off for eg to notify a change of address you may lose this
entitlement).

If you wish to ride a 125cc bike, regardless of how long you have held your
full car licence, you must take your CBT.

Insurers vary on whether they will cover you before you take your CBT, some
insurers will insure you up to 2 weeks before the date of test, Please call us to
discuss.

www.motorcycledirect.co.uk/motorcycle_insurance_quote.php?int=3612

More News
  For December 2004
  From Motorcycle Direct
  For Insurance
  Biker247.com Home Page