Which mods have you declaired.

[Mick-H]

When insurance time comes around which mods did you declare? Ivans? exhaust? paintwork? AIS removed? brake/clutch lever's? carbon bit's? window engine cases? etc etc.
 
Just wondering how people went on declaring these things, did it increase the premium or was insurance refused?

[adeejaysdelight]

I have declared the main stuff that affects the performance of the machine, such as the full exhaust system, braided hoses and so on. I also declared all the security items on there too (alarm, immobiliser, datatag, DNA, Xena disc lock, heavy chain...). Security items display a conscious effort to stop your bike being stolen and if the mods are not all to increase speed, you should be fine.


Things like carbon bits, touring seat/screen, scottoiler... I never bothered mentioning.

[mr self destruct]

I've stated everything (including the Scottoiler*), whether it affects the premium or not. The reasons being that if it gets stolen or crashed, I don't want to give them the slightest excuse to wriggle out of paying me, and I want any extras to be factored into the settlement price.


*Conversation went a bit like this:
"Any mods?"
"The alarm's definitely aftermarket, and there's what looks like an automatic chain lubricator which is held in with zip ties, so I'm guessing that is too."
"Ahh a Scottoiler?"
"Err..."
"Sounds like it, won't make a difference but I'll put it on the list anyway."


 

[fazersharp]

I always thought that its only stuff that costs a lot and that you may turn around and claim later against -- like a custonm seat, modifactions wise, replacing the hoses with braided is not a mod as insurance would see it, its just replacement hoses---is it not ???. Like fitting different tyres.
But for insurance if you replaced the forks with non standard USD ones then if not told about your insurance could well be void.
Spose to be on the safe side - best to tell them everything

[mr self destruct]

I always thought that its only stuff that costs a lot and that you may turn around and claim later against -- like a custonm seat, modifactions wise, replacing the hoses with braided is not a mod as insurance would see it, its just replacement hoses---is it not ???. Like fitting different tyres.
But for insurance if you replaced the forks with non standard USD ones then if not told about your insurance could well be void.
Spose to be on the safe side - best to tell them everything

I've had braided hoses on a few of my cars and was told by my insurance company that they're definitely a performance mod, along with non-factory alloys and different tyres (sizes/spec rather than just brand though). But the way I see it, for the sake of ticking a few extra boxes or a few minutes longer on the phone you may as well declare everything.

[Arfa]

Yep tell them everything. Everything. They're right squirmy little rascals, if they can point at anything as a reason to not hand over some dough, they will. Be it cosmetic, performance enhancing, or just daft, let them know. Most mods won't affect the premium, generally performance mods will crank it up a bit.

However, many policies won't replace mods in the event of a claim. So, if you've got a super posh exhaust system, it'll get replaced with a stock one (or value of). You usually have to pay extra to get your mods replaced.

[caretaker]

none.

[JoeRock]

Yep tell them everything. Everything. They're right squirmy little rascals, if they can point at anything as a reason to not hand over some dough, they will. Be it cosmetic, performance enhancing, or just daft, let them know. Most mods won't affect the premium, generally performance mods will crank it up a bit.

However, many policies won't replace mods in the event of a claim. So, if you've got a super posh exhaust system, it'll get replaced with a stock one (or value of). You usually have to pay extra to get your mods replaced.

Which can often work in your favour. I had a hornet 600, with a micron carbon can. It got written off, they only agreed to pay for the stock exhaust. As a stock exhaust was £800, and an akky appeared new on ebay for £300, i ended up with an akky system and £500 left over!

[AdieR]

I tend to declare everything, that way they can't wriggle out.

That said, mine only has heated grips and a Givi rack, for the time being anyhow.

[Mick-H]

So how much do you reckon it goes up by declaring say the Ivans kit and an exhaust?

[Phil]

I declared my rear shock upgrade. You would think that a decent fully adjustable shock would be safer than a bouncy under damped stock shock which bottoms out when 2 up. At renewal time the current insurer wouldn't insure it! I cant remember who it was. Another did and it cost me slightly more.

As others have mentioned, dont give them any oppertunity to wriggle out of a claim.

[mr self destruct]

I declared my rear shock upgrade. You would think that a decent fully adjustable shock would be safer than a bouncy under damped stock shock which bottoms out when 2 up. At renewal time the current insurer wouldn't insure it! I cant remember who it was. Another did and it cost me slightly more.

As others have mentioned, dont give them any oppertunity to wriggle out of a claim.

This is why you've got to find an insurer that knows these bikes better than your average broker.


I had a 1972 1200 Beetle fitted with a 1600 engine. My insurer wanted me to spend £400 on an engineer's report to say the conversion had been done safely.
WTF? 4 bolts, a cable, a pipe and 6 electrical connections warrants £400? Err, no. I'll find a specialist.

[Fuzzy]

Everything. Paint, screen, bars, lights, luggage, exhaust yadda yadda (all accepted as cosmetic upgrades) + suspension mods at both ends. Didn't make any difference at all with my insurers. They were particularly iffy about engine mods though, thankfully none of which I have

[t140]

declared everything i could, but as mentioned it is worthwhile going to someone who knows bikes, try telling a woman in mumbai that CCM does not stand for Cubic Centi Meters.

[Grahamm]

So how much do you reckon it goes up by declaring say the Ivans kit and an exhaust?

When I told my insurers (Bennetts) about the Power Commander they said it wouldn't add anything to the premium, but stuck me for £25 "administration charges" for a change to the policy!