17 replies to this topic

[fixitsan]

I got my renewal through this week, the TDM900 is due to renew at the end of this month.

I checked a few comparison sites and got down to £89, fully comp, 8 years NCB, 56 yrs old.

 

To add the full breakdown/recovery and legal protections was another £80 (Bennetts 'Ultimate benefit' package)

 

So I tried a multibike policy for the TDM and the FJR, by Aviva through Bennetts and they got me £359 for both bikes, fully comp, 90 days in the EU and with 7 years NCB (although I actually have 8 yrs NCB)

 

I decided it wasn't bad for both bikes, lots of miles, the lowest excess (250 on the FJR, 175 on the TDM), fully comp, and that includes the Bennets Ultimate package for both bikes, which includes recovery from the EU and help with return travel.

 

When I approved it , the agent on the phone noticed this quote was for 7 years NCB, but as it's renewal time she wanted to give me the eight years. But when she changed the quote to 8 years NCB the quote rose to £420. So I questioned the fact that more NCB equals more money

 

She said to leave it with her and expect her to call me back after she had spoken to her manager, because common sense dictates that more NCB = lower quote

 

While waiting, I went to the Bennetts website and applied for a new quote. Sure enough, the cheapest quote was with 6 years NCB, it went up in price with 7yrs and up even more with 8 years NCB !

 

Finally I got the return phonecall and after some corrections and with the £10 refund from cancelling the policy due to end this month, I was given a new policy plus full EU breakdown recovery, homestart etc, legal, helmet leather protection, and health care cover etc,  for £315.34 for both bikes.

 

So it's probably worth your while at quote time playing around on insurance quote websites with the amount of NCB you have, and if anyone quotes higher prices with more NCB you should call them out on it and hopefully you'll get a cheaper quote. Maybe !

Edited by fixitsan, 11 February 2025 - 07:43 pm.

[dapleb]

Haaa whoda thunk.

[dablik]

I would be wary of the "recovery from the EU" given the age of the bikes , as recovery may only get 500/1000 miles or so if recovery is reliant on the bike age as many can be...

[fixitsan]

I would be wary of the "recovery from the EU" given the age of the bikes , as recovery may only get 500/1000 miles or so if recovery is reliant on the bike age as many can be...

 

True, I've heard horror stories too.

 

Bennetts have tied up with the RAC for overseas recovery. Is that good or bad ? Hopefully I don't have to find out !

[trevini]

The only policies I've seen that will cover older vehicles are those attached to specific classic car insurance policies with an agreed value. Most breakdown providers won't offer cover to anything over 15 years old and will only cover up to their perceived value of the vehicle (i.e it'll be trade price, not retail). I'd be having a good read of the small print as you may not even have cover for the uk if the bikes are too old (the FJR should be ok as it's newer). 

 

I mentioned in another thread that AutoAid provide personal cover for any age vehicle (with a slightly dearer premium for the older models) and is generally very good value. Although they primarily offer UK only cover, they have a sister company that provides European cover (I haven't read the small print regarding any recovery limits). 

 

Interesting to read about the NCD. I've just renewed the Guzzi insurance a few weeks ago and had to pay the heady amount of £69 through BikeSure. They picked up on the fact I'd made a mistake on my claimed NCD (totally my fault) but it made zero difference to the premium. FYI I only have three years on that as I took it off the road prior and during covid and let the 10+ years ncd lapse. My premium on that bike with the exception of this year has always been around the same figure despite starting off as a new policy with no nod back in 2011 when I bought it. 

[fixitsan]

The only policies I've seen that will cover older vehicles are those attached to specific classic car insurance policies with an agreed value. Most breakdown providers won't offer cover to anything over 15 years old and will only cover up to their perceived value of the vehicle (i.e it'll be trade price, not retail). I'd be having a good read of the small print as you may not even have cover for the uk if the bikes are too old (the FJR should be ok as it's newer). 

 

I mentioned in another thread that AutoAid provide personal cover for any age vehicle (with a slightly dearer premium for the older models) and is generally very good value. Although they primarily offer UK only cover, they have a sister company that provides European cover (I haven't read the small print regarding any recovery limits). 

 

Interesting to read about the NCD. I've just renewed the Guzzi insurance a few weeks ago and had to pay the heady amount of £69 through BikeSure. They picked up on the fact I'd made a mistake on my claimed NCD (totally my fault) but it made zero difference to the premium. FYI I only have three years on that as I took it off the road prior and during covid and let the 10+ years ncd lapse. My premium on that bike with the exception of this year has always been around the same figure despite starting off as a new policy with no nod back in 2011 when I bought it. 

 

 

Interesting reading about taking the hit when you lost your NCD and it only turns out to make little or no difference.

 

I wonder if it's the case that as we know, as you age, the policies tend to reduce in cost due to the lower risks associated with more experienced riders, that they offer less of an NCD based discount to recoup some of the loss for giving us the old age discount in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised !

[chrisr]

I would be wary of the "recovery from the EU" given the age of the bikes , as recovery may only get 500/1000 miles or so if recovery is reliant on the bike age as many can be...

How do you know that Cliff?

 
I wonder if it's the case that as we know, as you age, the policies tend to reduce in cost due to the lower risks associated with more experienced riders, that they offer less of an NCD based discount to recoup some of the loss for giving us the old age discount in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised ![/quote]
Then they’ll start putting it up cos we ARE getting older!

[trevini]

My insurance premiums for the 900 have been more or less the same year on year ever since I bought it back in 2005 Chris. I have always had full ncd on that one though. I do wonder if having multiple vehicles that cover relatively low mileage helps. Even my Maserati is only £200 a year!

[fixitsan]

How do you know that Cliff?

 
I wonder if it's the case that as we know, as you age, the policies tend to reduce in cost due to the lower risks associated with more experienced riders, that they offer less of an NCD based discount to recoup some of the loss for giving us the old age discount in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised ![/quote]
Then they’ll start putting it up cos we ARE getting older!

 

Maybe they are already

 

I'm putting it down to it being a programming error. but I'm glad that the lady dealing with my quote spotted it and didn't let it go by without sorting it out for me

[trevini]

Might be they're doing what they do in the car world and you're a "modern Classic" as in getting on a bit but nobody's totally convinced your going to be a classic (yet). 

[dablik]

How do you know that Cliff?

 
  only because in 2010 my 9r was 6 years old and i had looked into it before my trip to the Alps, and was told cover would be up to 10 years of age of the bike, of course i had an off but my insurance at the time (Aunty Carol) repatriated the bike back home from Tignes in France.

 

In 2016 in Spain the bike was so mangled it went to 9r heaven but as the bike was 12 years old they would'nt of brought it back anyway or supposedly only as far as the value of the bike would allow ? but then you never expect to have an off..... best to check the small print or maybe load em up in Lee's van for the Ferry ride 

[leehenty]

We have Ali G recovery to his garage and the Lee H van repatriation service later on if needed.

Edited by leehenty, 13 February 2025 - 09:42 am.

[Studley Ramrod]

It's time the insurance providers were regulated. They seem more than willing to rip people off these days, regardless of loyalty or ncd's

[Catteeclan]

It's time the insurance providers were regulated. They seem more than willing to rip people off these days, regardless of loyalty or ncd's

second that. said it before, blood sucking scum.

Hope they don't read that before my next renewal.

[dapleb]

Lolzio

[Robodene]

I nearly left my house contents policy without renewal because of all the hassle. Motor policy trouble has spilled over into all other insurances, it seems to me.

[laughin in a windstorm]

I just go for the cheapest available and make sure accidents are not my fault and theft is protected by heavy blunt objects and large shouty dogs

[fixitsan]

second that. said it before, blood sucking scum.

 

We've all got stories, I bet

 

One of mine is a claim for a small collision between my wifes car and a third party. We were with Direct Line, who sent a form to the third party, who never filled it in (which is technically legal, apparently), we chased them for a year, they were pushing us to settle on a knock for knock basis, or even via cash exchange, but they didn't pursue the third party. It was only when a clumsy call handler buckled under my questions and told me the third party's insurance company was also, Direct Line., that it made sense, because either way, they lose. That one grew into  a big complaint to head office and a full settlement after a complaint to the FSA (and they were as much use as a chocolate fireguard actually)

Edited by fixitsan, 14 February 2025 - 04:56 pm.