Alun wrote:Thanks for all the posts on this thread, it's defo one for us to dig into. If I was a gambling man I'd put money on Bennetts retracting this policy if their intention is to stay in the biking market as every biker I know has more than three mods - using their criteria.
I've a good contact in Bennetts PR department I'll give him a call next week and see what he has to say.
Are these really all "mods" as far as I can make out of I bolt a satnav to my bike via a ram mount, it is an accessory not a modification and I am damned sure they will use that excuse out refuse to pay out.
Replacing Tyres as long as the size and speed rating match you are just replacing worn out tyres and in some cases the OEM tyres are no longer in production. Also replacement shocks as long as you are not replacing them with all singing & dancing pre-load, rebound remote adjustable Ohlins again you are just replacing a parts that are worn.
There seem to be a thin line between a modification and an accessory that the insurance companies are trying to use to what ever advantage they want.
I have just left MCE as whilst they would cover me and my bike with panniers & top box those items would not be insured.
TAM
Been on the phone again to Bennetts (third time in 2 days, yes they love me!) and asked where in my policy docs does it state the 3 mod rule?
Bennetts: We don't state every single detail.
Me: Well you should, especially something as significant as this! This is a major factor in the customer deciding whether or not to choose you as their insurer. Do you realise that modifying a bike is an ongoing thing as has been since year dot? No bike is made for any one person, therefore every machine is a compromised design and individuals spec them up to suit their needs. This 3 mod ruling is nothing short of absurd and will not be tolerated by the biking community.
Furthermore this is a breach of policy on your behalf as I did not knowingly sign up to this ruling, and further still, I wouldn't either!
Bennetts: You should have declared your mods when you bought the bike. Had you done so we could have told you at the time that we allow 3 mods and you could have decided then if you wanted us to be your insurance providers.
Me: My bike wasn't modified when I bought so I am declaring my mods now. I would add that if Bennetts don't do something to retract this ridiculous policy then a lot of trade will be lost.
Bennetts: It isn't a clear cut 3 mod ruling, it depends on what mods have been undertaken.
Me: Yes it is and no it doesn't! I was clearly told that only three mods are permitted on my bike, they have been recorded, and I was told I need to remove the other mods otherwise my insurance would be invalid.
I was also told that only 3 mods on top of manufactures spec were permitted, therefore there is no dependency policy in place at all but instead a solid '3 mods maximum' policy in place.
After several minutes of verbal table tennis...
Bennetts: We have put customer complaints regarding this matter forward to our underwriters and a decision should be made on Monday.
We will contact our policy holders by phone to inform them of the outcome.
Me: I would also like to receive the outcome in writing please.
Bennetts: We won't be writing but I assure a phone call to you will be made.
Me: Thank you but I would still appreciate a written statement for my own records.
Bennetts: All our calls are logged and recorded so there should be no concerns.
Me: Again thank you but I would still like it in writing please.
Bennetts: Ok I can get that to you in writing but it will be up to 7 days later before you receive it.
Clearly Bennetts have already had many complaints regarding this nonsense, hopefully thousands (she did mention MCN) and so now feel something needs to be done after seeing the writing on the wall.
The Bennetts parting shot went like this:-
If you have more than 3 mods on your bike I am not asking you to remove them immediately but would suggest you don't ride your bike until we have the update.
Still Gotta Pulse wrote:Been on the phone again to Bennetts (third time in 2 days, yes they love me!) and asked where in my policy docs does it state the 3 mod rule?
Bennetts: We don't state every single detail.
Me: Well you should, especially something as significant as this! This is a major factor in the customer deciding whether or not to choose you as their insurer. Do you realise that modifying a bike is an ongoing thing as has been since year dot? No bike is made for any one person, therefore every machine is a compromised design and individuals spec them up to suit their needs. This 3 mod ruling is nothing short of absurd and will not be tolerated by the biking community.
Furthermore this is a breach of policy on your behalf as I did not knowingly sign up to this ruling, and further still, I wouldn't either!
Bennetts: You should have declared your mods when you bought the bike. Had you done so we could have told you at the time that we allow 3 mods and you could have decided then if you wanted us to be your insurance providers.
Me: My bike wasn't modified when I bought so I am declaring my mods now. I would add that if Bennetts don't do something to retract this ridiculous policy then a lot of trade will be lost.
Bennetts: It isn't a clear cut 3 mod ruling, it depends on what mods have been undertaken.
Me: Yes it is and no it doesn't! I was clearly told that only three mods are permitted on my bike, they have been recorded, and I was told I need to remove the other mods otherwise my insurance would be invalid.
I was also told that only 3 mods on top of manufactures spec were permitted, therefore there is no dependency policy in place at all but instead a solid '3 mods maximum' policy in place.
After several minutes of verbal table tennis...
Bennetts: We have put customer complaints regarding this matter forward to our underwriters and a decision should be made on Monday.
We will contact our policy holders by phone to inform them of the outcome.
Me: I would also like to receive the outcome in writing please.
Bennetts: We won't be writing but I assure a phone call to you will be made.
Me: Thank you but I would still appreciate a written statement for my own records.
Bennetts: All our calls are logged and recorded so there should be no concerns.
Me: Again thank you but I would still like it in writing please.
Bennetts: Ok I can get that to you in writing but it will be up to 7 days later before you receive it.
Clearly Bennetts have already had many complaints regarding this nonsense, hopefully thousands (she did mention MCN) and so now feel something needs to be done after seeing the writing on the wall.
The Bennetts parting shot went like this:-
If you have more than 3 mods on your bike I am not asking you to remove them immediately but would suggest you don't ride your bike until we have the update.
:whistle:
Thanks SGP for the time taken and writing this on the forum
I feel this all helps in the confusion that has become Bennetts Gate :unsure: hmy: :huh:
On the advice of a police officer friend of mine who was concerned that my insurance policy would be deemed invalid due to undeclared modifications on my F800GS( Wunderlich touring screen, TT sump guard and crash bars, Barkbusters, Anakee2 tyres,cruise control,Mudslinger and fenda extenda)and a Phillips Blue vision bulb, I did indeed inform Bennetts who told me that they were cancelling my policy.
Carole Nash were most please to receive from my custom.
Luckily I did as in the event of a crash I would not have received anything for a damaged bike and would have picked up a fine and 9 points!
Thanks SGP for the time taken and writing this on the forum
I feel this all helps in the confusion that has become Bennetts Gate :unsure: hmy: :huh:
Here here. Top man.
Have a piece of K.
Cheers Jelly! + 1
2WT ... no problem, we're all in this together (potentially) and these idocies need to be investigated, sorted and stamped out.
PaulinBont, this is precisely where we're at. Ridiculous outcome on Bennetts behalf. With the amount of publicity this had nationally it's a no wonder they are trying to rectify this part of the policy.
hmy: :huh: