Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Has anyone read the 16th November edition of the MCN and in particular what is on page 23?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/ ... hree-mods/

It concerns the Insurance Co. Bennetts and their …no more than three modifications, whatever they are…, there is a fully comprehensive (over 50 items) list in the MCN article too, so just have a read and see if you qualify or not.

If anyone has three mods than its okay to ride and enjoy your bike, But, if you have four or more than Bennetts’s WILL NOT insure you!

Here is what their website says:
http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bike-insurance/faq/#faq9

While this seems that the Co. are only wanting to insure (3) mods, and is there a “mix-up” between mods and accessories?” It also feels that we, the bike riding public are also being dictated as to how we ride and what we can do to our bikes.

It also feels rather a draconian method and it really, now, seems, too, …that the tale is now waging the dog… hmy:

Will anyone with Bennetts now change their Insurance Co. rather than change their bikes equipment?

I've sent them an e-mail to ask about the veracity of the assertions in the MCN article -- with a note that I will not be renewing my policy with them if that is indeed their position.

It does sound like Bennetts are doing their best to go out of business.

Love the "doing there best to go outa business" just the kinda comment I'd make

Paul Neate wrote:I've sent them an e-mail to ask about the veracity of the assertions in the MCN article -- with a note that I will not be renewing my policy with them if that is indeed their position.

It does sound like Bennetts are doing their best to go out of business.

In the article is does state that Carole Nash, for example, are not implementing this policy, good business for them, but, if this is the start of a new policy requirement, then we’d all better start praying, very long & hard :S

I was amazed to read that "modifications" include things like putting a sticker on your bike So how is that supposed to increase it's value, make it unsafe or increase the performance, the only reasons I can see for affecting your insured risk.

Even more stupid are the inclusion of "modifications" like fitting heated grips, taller screens, enhanced brakes, improved suspension etc, things that I would say improves safety and/or comfort and therefore must decrease the insured risk?

Paul has got it right but if they want out of the motorcycle business, then why not just say so?

Interestingly my Tiger has the following:

Taller screen
Hand guards
Top box and Panniers
Centre Stand

I'm certain they would all be classed as modifications if fitted by the owner subsequent to purchase (despite being official Triumph accessories).

Yet all mine were fitted by the dealer as part of Triumphs recent deal. So do these count as modifications, because they were there when I bought the bike brand new, if not it really does make a mockery of the whole thing (not that it wasn't already).

Even if they didn't I'm already on my limit due to the Arrow Silencer, ECU Remap and forged alloy levers. although thinking about it my IAM sticker on the rear of the bike makes that four mods.....

Guess who I won't be going to for insurance in the future? :whistle:

It's the cost of replacing things... that sticker might be an entire vinyl wrap... which is what some folks do instead of getting paint jobs... that screen might cost more than an OEM one... A lot of it is just them making sure they can give a standard price on each bike via a call centre... what is the issue - you have a choice use it and go to someone else..

scouse wrote:...what is the issue - you have a choice use it and go to someone else..

That's fine, well and good, but, if we had no choice what would we do next? :blink:

A Bennetts spokeswoman said: "The current Bennetts system allows a maximum of three modifications because historically the number of bikers, when quoting through one of our direct channels, who list more than one modification is very low. “

I suspect that's because most bikers don't classify a sticker as a modification and therefore don't mention it. To my mind a modification is something of a substantial and (semi) permanent nature that affects the nature of the bike - an exhaust system, chipping the ecu, bolting on a turbo, putting a fairing on a naked bike etc. Heated grips, windshield, luggage racks etc are, to my mind, accessories and stickers don't even rate that highly.

I can understand they don't want to shell out for some giant graphic hand coloured and signed by Banksy but my "visit Margate" sticker is hardly that. It's more likely to reduce the value of the bike therefore saving them money. At this rate it won't be long before you have to declare road dirt as a modification and email them the tread depth on your tyres before you set off on each ride.

Had my 1150gsa insured with bennetts, waited for the renewal to arrive, didn't happen.
Policy ended on the 27 oct so rang them up on the 26, only to be told that the policy had been locked.
Because i stated that i wish to carry a pillion they refused to cover.They blamed aviva for the restriction, however, i got covered with motorcycle direct who use aviva no problem.
Bennetts will find that people will vote with their feet and go elsewhere.

Mad Cow wrote:
Interestingly my Tiger has the following:

Taller screen
Hand guards
Top box and Panniers
Centre Stand

I'm certain they would all be classed as modifications if fitted by the owner subsequent to purchase (despite being official Triumph accessories).

Yet all mine were fitted by the dealer as part of Triumphs recent deal. So do these count as modifications, because they were there when I bought the bike brand new, if not it really does make a mockery of the whole thing (not that it wasn't already).

Even if they didn't I'm already on my limit due to the Arrow Silencer, ECU Remap and forged alloy levers. although thinking about it my IAM sticker on the rear of the bike makes that four mods.....

Guess who I won't be going to for insurance in the future? :whistle:

After reading the title post I did a 'compare' search for insurance and when I received 'X amount' of quotes I rang the cheapest up for a chat. I asked about modification restrictions and his response was " it depends on the mod , if it's performance enhancing or something like chassis mods then yes".

I then asked about 'optional extras' i.e in the BMW/Triumph range there are countless options and he confirmed that ALL ICs will treat all 'after market' mods as modifications.

So, if person 'A' buys a new F8 (example)and has heated grips included as an optional extra and person 'B' buys an F8 and adds heated grips later then person 'B' will be deemed as modding his bike. Irrespective of the item being a manufacturer option it wasn't fitted at the time of purchase. He assured me that this is an across the board policy.
The guy also said that insurance wouldn't be refused, because they don't have a 3 mod policy, but.... those after market mods would NOT be covered in a claim. In the case of an after market end can being used in place of the OEM then the IC would pay for an original can, not your shorty!

I think I need to act on this because from my understanding I am now uninsured according to Bennetts policy! What utter lunacy.