Insurance Shocker

[eg23232]

So I've been with American Family for some time now. They've always been competitive and I've always received great service.

I have the FJR, a Triumph Sprint 1050, my Ford Escape, Condo, and Life all with them.

Just got a letter saying that basically for motorcycles, their policy only covers the frame, motor, forks, and wheels. Everything else, even if "stock" is an extra (for me) $60 ($48 for the Triumph). This includes the hard cases, windscreen, and all the fairing! Holy crap. That's like saying "We only insure your car's engine, transmission, and wheels. The bodywork, seats, and glass are extra."

Then there's this paragraph I really like where they say they won't cover loss to "...any equipment which mechanically or structurally changes your insured cycle or results in an increase in performance or change in appearance." (emph added) Yikes.

My full coverage for FJR is now $450/yr (100/300, comp, coll, underins (with high deductibles)). After the home office hears from me, I'll be shopping.

Anyway, the point is (yes there is one)....Check and make sure precisely what's covered, especially if you have a 'basic' policy.

 

[Kevin Daly]

Dats a bummer dude. I would definately make a statement. There are lots of companies, I am sure if you have a good record you can switch. Make sure they know why.

-k

 

[ponyfool]

I had my Bandit covered by AmFam when it caught my house on fire. AmFam fulfilled every nightmare story I have ever heard about insurance companies. I dropped them immediately after they bent me over on the "coverage" of my Bandit.

I wish The Hartford covered motorcycles. They were phenomenal. My FJR is now covered by Geico. I have never had a claim with them, but I have heard mostly positive reviews by those that have.

 

[Big-D]

Doesn’t that just piss you off? It seems every time a person tries to get ahead a little, someone is always out there ready to put the screws to you. In this case it is your insurance company. It really does not matter how long you may have been with some company, they don’t care. It’s all about the dollar.

Ever wonder why with gas already surpassing the $4 per gallon mark why motorcycle/ scooter sales have not skyrocketed beyond belief? When I went down to my local State farm office to add my FJR to my already numerous policies, my agent asked me what it cost to replace the tires and how long I can expect them to last. I told him between 5-8k miles and probably about $300+ to replace them. He commented on how the cost of ownership surpasses the savings on gasoline, making the change to riding a motorcycle not a very feasible road to take at this point. Most people ride because of the enjoyment. Many people look into riding a motorcycle because of what they spend on fuel, then when they discover how from insurance costs to adding accessories to maintenance fees and basic cost related to owning and riding a motorcycle kill any savings you might experience in gasoline costs.

I wonder if costs associated with motorcycle ownership are as high in Europe and Japan as they are here. You sure do see a lot more 2-wheelers on the road there than you do here in America. From the manufacturers that make them to the dealers that sell them, to insurance companies that insure them and everyone else dealing in the motorcycle industry do their best to discourage people from converting to riding motorcycles instead of driving cars and trucks.

 

[DaveFJR]

+1 on Geico.

 

[Bounce]

Dairyland

had GEICO for about 15 years. watched them raise their rates to pay for their commercials and to include a bigger client base (used to be Government Employees Insurance COmpany). then watched them start providing radar guns to police departments and use some more of my money to lobby for laws that i didn't agree with. figured it was time that i quit throwing that money down a black hole.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Check out State Farm. Perhaps not the cheapest but they have seen us through a lot of heartache, and minimized the pain that we felt. If you find a decent agent, he/she might be able to cut you all kinds of deals for a whole family package of insurance. Then you can wave goodbye to AmFam and let them know exactly why you're leaving.

Are you an AMA member? If so, do let them know. They are working hard to prevent discrimination against riders. No way would this fly with an automobile policy, so why should it apply to a bike?

Jill

 

[FJR_pig]

+3 on Geico. I'm insured to the hilt and they just dropped my premium for the second straight year as I enter my third year. Down to $295/year.

 

[k7lvo]

A young fellow I know wrecked his 600 sport something-or-other a couple of weeks ago. He pulled a dumb stunt (but that's another story) and wound up getting pretty skinned up. (He didn't have his gear on - he was only going a little ways - but THAT'S another story.) He figured that he was going to use the insurance money to replace the 600 with a 1000. However, since "he didn't actually hit the dog..." (his words) his insurance isn't paying. Looks like they've figured out another "clause"... one that I hadn't heard of before. I don't know which company he's with.

 

[eg23232]

Are you an AMA member? If so, do let them know. They are working hard to prevent discrimination against riders. No way would this fly with an automobile policy, so why should it apply to a bike?
Jill

I am. And yep, they'll get cc'ed! AMA has an insurance discount as well.

AmFam has never been the cheapest but has always given me the best customer service. Maybe I'm making more of a big deal than it is, but I don't think it's reasonable for an extra $100/yr just to protect the plastic bits.

I put the coverage on the FJR only because I'm off for a long ride to World Superbike races. But upon return, looks like I'll be spending some time insurance shopping. What a pita.

Again, though, I think it's worth reading through your policies. I wonder how common this is?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

A young fellow I know wrecked his 600 sport something-or-other a couple of weeks ago. .... However, since "he didn't actually hit the dog..." his insurance isn't paying. Looks like they've figured out another "clause"...

When dealing with insurance companies (adjusters), it's a good idea to keep a supply of 'hair' around -- to stick around the headlight, between the h/light and fairing, etc. When claiming an animal hit -- adjusters look for 'hair'.....