Triumphrat

coelacanth · 11-10-2007

I was talking with a staff at my dealer yesterday. He got a phone call from his customer and shortly he forwarded the call to mechanic dept. Then he told me that his customer who bought a new ride only 3 days ago just got hit by a car and needs to bring in his bike for service... Thanks god the rider himself was ok, but I felt truly sorry for his was-brand-new-now-not-so-much ride.

I bought 2007 Bonnie recently, and planning on doing some mod fairly soon. The mod will most likely includes, but not limited to mirrors, signals, silencers that are not DOT approved.
My insurance from Progressive includes free $1000 accessory coverage, and I'll add more if I need to.

My question is, if I got hit, does insurance company cover the parts that are not street legal? Or do they even honor the claim itself? Let's say I had aftermarket turn signals and silencers, and some car knocked my Bonnie down from side when he was parking his car next to Bonnie. Aftermarket parts have nothing to do with this accidents. Or got hit at an intersection because the car didn't see me. What would they do?

I know maybe I should just call the insurance company and ask, but a bit hesitating to ask this specific question...

Anyone know from experience or heard / told what's going to happen? Many people on this forum enjoying mods and putting some serious bucks on their beloved Triumphs. I just want to know how people are approaching this annoying problem.

Thanks for your advice!

Whitehurst · 11-10-2007

Your answer is yes and no...

I personally have the same but through Geico - which were great by the way...

Your dealer should give the insurance a quote to fix your bike, then get a check to fix it. So lets say Thruxton pipes are 800.00 but you want Bubs, it should be no problem for them to get you bubs and you may have a bit left over to apply the extra money with other mods that you have not done yet. Also, some things may be difficult for them to order - so I ordered a few parts and they payed me back. Over all the dealership should work with you to get the bike back to the way it was or even better.

BTW - after getting my bike fixed, I made almost a grand just on selling my scratched up stuff -

RedBird · 11-10-2007

You should have no problem with Progressive. A friend who has Thunderbike silencers on his Speedo had an unscheduled dismount. He had Progressive insurance and had coverage for all his accessory parts. He said the Progressive representative said his bike would be fixed and the damaged accessory parts would be replaced with the same brand part as he had on when he had the accident.

coelacanth · 11-10-2007

Thanks for the comments guys.

RedBird,
Glad to hear an actual story with Progressive. I guess as long as you have coverage for additional parts, they will be covered no matter they are DOTed or not.

Anyone had negative experience with non-DOTed parts and insurance?

mecscc · 11-11-2007

Ditto what Larry said. When I totalled the Tbird Progressive not only paid for all the accessories, OEM and aftermarket but paid additionally, above the $1000 limit, full purchase value for my helmet, jacket, gear and some of the stuff carried in the gear! And they CALLED ME the day I got home from the hospital and walked me through what I could claim. I got the check for the bike, at full kbb retail private seller value, plus all the other stuff a week after that. If someone could give better customer care I can't see how.

BTW: are you sure you can increase your accessory value with a rider on your policy? Mine is a flat $1000 max. If you can I would like to know it should I ever, gasp!, do any more mods.

Monte

Old Scratcher · 11-11-2007

should I ever, gasp!, do any more mods.

Monte

[/quote]

Fire up the oxy-torch Ohiorider Bob. He's buckling!

panthercity · 11-11-2007

Keep one thing in mind. If your vehicle is financed, the lein holder has the right to demand that the repairs return the vehicle to the condition in which it was financed. This can work for you or against you. If the repair shop wants to substitue non OEM parts with cheaper knock-offs, generally, the lendor will not allow it. If you want to substitue non-OEM parts (D&Ds, short stalks, etc) the lendor may balk since the vehicle may or may not be worth what they lent on it/can sell it for if they have to repo it.

Then again, the lender may nopt even ask more than your OK before countersigning the insurance check.

coelacanth · 11-12-2007

Monte,
Wow. Your story sounds awesome. I really didn't think an insurance company actually HELPS to get me more money back. I think I can stick with Progressive for now.

My roommate has a coverage from GEICO for his Thruxton so I hope they are as good as Progressive like Whitehurst said.

Oh Monte. It might be state specific so I'm not sure how it's handled in Ohio, but I can add more than $1,000 in California.

Here is the description from their website.

Quote:

Provides coverage for the first $1,000 of loss to custom parts or equipment (CPE) FREE of charge. Input total value of CPE and the first $1,000 of coverage will not be charged for. "Custom parts or equipment" means equipment, devices, accessories, enhancements and changes other than those which are original manufacturer installed, which alter the appearance or performance of the cycle. This includes, but is not limited to:

* any electronic equipment, antennas, and other devices used exclusively to send or receive audio, visual, or data signals, or play back recorded media, other than those which are original manufacturer installed, that are permanently installed on the cycle using bolts or brackets, including slide-out brackets;
* sidecars;
* trailers designed to be pulled behind a motorcycle or ATV;
* custom paint, custom plating, or custom exhaust;
* safety riding apparel, including helmets. (Coverage is only provided in the event of a collision loss. Theft is not covered.)

mecscc · 11-12-2007

Mine reads like that too. But the quoted material does not say you can add to the coverage. Have you asked? Since this is a hypothetical question I guess I'll just check with my local agent re how its handled in Ohio.

Incidentally, I buy my Progressive Ins from a local independent agent, both bikes and both cars. I found that the agent offers the same policy for much less than is offered if you buy direct from the web site. That sounds very odd, doesn't it? But I ran web pricing on each car and each bike seperately and as a package and in all cases the agent had the much better deal. I saved about $75 to $100 PER VEHICE going with an agent. Weird, I agree, but maybe worth checking out. Or, maybe not, Ohio has some strange insurance laws........

Monte

coelacanth · 11-13-2007

I actually tried coverage change quote via their online tool. I put $2,000 as total accessory value (means $1,000 free coverage plus additional $1,000, I believe) and I could add to my plan without problem.

My basic safety riding equipments is almost $1,000 already... I'll be adding a whole lot more for my mod parts very soon.

I've never dealt with a local agent, but probably I should give it a try.