Triumphrat

GrayMitchell · 02-18-2007

Anyone use Bikeline to insure their bike? I requested a quote and it came back quite a bit cheaper than what im paying now...

kliff · 02-18-2007

I use Progressive, simply because when I worked at the H-D dealership, it was always my job to do the insurance estimates on bikes. I never had one turned down, and only had to justify parts on 2, out of 200+ done for Progrssive. They accepted the justifications too. And my estimates included nuts and bolts. If a part was damaged, the bolts holding it on could also be stressed....they were replaced too.

I did the FINAL road test of all wreck repairs too. Interstate in front of the shop....90mph in high gear, then let go of the bars and cross my arms.....the bike will decellerate to 40mph in a straight line, or it goes back on the lift to find out why, and be corrected, BEFORE the customer ever rides the repaired bike.

I think that test ride is why Progressive questioned us very little in our repairs. They knew we did not want to assume ANY liability for poorly repaired bikes, and they knew they wouldn't either.

Knowing most of the owners, I can also say Progressive only dropped 3 customers policies.....one because the owner was intoxicated. The other 2 because of excessive claims. 3 each in under a year, that did NOT involve another vehicle. Problematic "fall downs" due to inexperience. And beleive me, a 5mph fall down CAN do $3500.00 in damage to an H-D dresser....... try to convince your carrier to maintain your policy with a record like that!

Also, Progressive has a local claims office if needed. I don't mind paying a few bucks more, knowing the insurance Co. wants my bike as close to perfect as I do.

GrayMitchell · 02-18-2007

But is it really worth paying $762/yr??? Thats what I pay now. Is it really a lot to do with age? im 26.

-Gray

sweatmachine · 02-18-2007

I just turned 27, I pay close to that. I think mine is around $50 a month for full coverage and I use Dairyland.

ohiorider · 02-18-2007

Not sure, but it may also have something to do with the insurance rules and regs in your individual states. I'm insured with Guide (Progressive - based in Ohio), and my rate for four bikes, T100, W650, R100GS, and ST1300, is less than $650 for max full-year coverage. Adding the ST drove the cost from about $400 to $650. Full faired bikes with lots of breakable plastic have a way of doing that. Maybe being over 60 and riding bikes that most likely don't have a bad insurance history and low theft rate helps too.

Bob

kliff · 02-18-2007

Quote:

On 2007-02-18 14:47, GrayMitchell wrote:
But is it really worth paying $762/yr??? Thats what I pay now. Is it really a lot to do with age? im 26.

-Gray

Can't answer your financial question, age and location are against you. I'm paying about $180.00/yr @ 54 years, 140 miles East of you.

Flip · 02-18-2007

I've had some interesting experiences with bike insurance. First off, I live in Michigan, just north of Toledo and Michigan because it's a no-fault state as well it has a catastrophic claim fund has higher than usual insurance rates. There are a lot of insurance companies that don't even offer insurance in Michigan.

When I purchased my T100 a few years ago after a 10 year hiatus from motorcycles, I insured with Progressive on-line. When I added my sidecar to the T100 and did a bunch of custom stuff, I upped the coverage to an ACV amount of $20,000.00. This was the replacement value of the outfit in as much as the outfit is a show bike, I expect very little depreciation and it would cost me in the area of 20K to duplicate it. Progressive had no problem with the ACV and adjusted the premium accordingly. The premium was still within reason.

Last year I also purchased a Rocket3 Classic which I added to the policy. Progressive sent me a bill which I paid but then, when the renewal date came on the policy (Jan 01, 2007), the bill came and increased by $250.00 above their pre quoted estimate. Needless to say, I called Progressive and questioned the bill. The representative I spoke to could not give me a concrete reason for the increase, they just said it was "because". I asked again, because why? Just "because" was the reply again.

I immediately started shopping for a new carrier and after a little searching, wound up with Allied Insurance which is a wholly owned sub of Nationwide. Allied is out of Des Moines, Iowa and I obtained the policy through an independent agent who also writes Progressive. Interestingly, the policy with Allied with the same coverages as the Progressive policy plus roadside assistance was over $300.00 less per year. The agent told me that at least in Michigan, Progressive is almost always higher than other insurers. I guess it's buyer beware.

BikeLine is one of the companies that don't insure in Michigan.

I'm not a kid by any means. I'm 57 and have nothing on my license and I have excellent credit, something that insurers look at for some reason.

Insurance, at least to me, is only good when you need it. Other times it's totally useless and just another bill to pay when it becomes due. Unfortunately, it's a necessity if you own personal property and real estate. Operating a motor vehicle with it is asking to loose everything to a good attorney.

neves7 · 02-20-2007

I purchased my insurance through bikeline. I have never had to use it (thank god) and hope I never will. I pay about $360 a year. I am 31 with a 790cc Speedmaster in Sacramento California. I used to pay $1300 per year through progressive when I owned my 2002 sprint RS. Anyone else?

sharpshooter · 02-20-2007

I pay about $30.00 a month through Farmers insurance which seems to be a good company. Of course I am an old man though with saggy butt cheeks.

Rick...........................

Dirtbikemike · 02-20-2007

I use Bikeline for liability only on my 01 bonneville. Seems like $75 or so per year? No claims! The premium was less than the Progressive policy I had at the time. 51 years old and rarely visit with the traffic police.

A co-worker spent time researching insurance for his Goldwing and put me onto Bilkeline.

Mike