Kiwibike insurance review [Archive]

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McJim

25th September 2008, 22:19

I consider insurance to be a fairly important part of owning a bike. Most of the time I just pay the premiums and have peace of mind. I haven't had much call to use the other side of insurance.

We were, until recently, a 2 bike household. She had a 2006 GSX750F worth about $8,000 and I had a 1998 Ducati 600ss worth about $6,000. She was insured fully comp to ride her bike and I was insured to ride both bikes fully comp. All purchased through Kiwibike Insurance. So far so good.

We sold her bike to pay off a home improvement loan. It got collected on the Saturday - I was out riding my bike when it got collected and had fun :2thumbsup: she looked after the children at home.

On Sunday she was sad that she didn't have a bike so I said - go have a ride on the Ducati - it will cheer you up. Winston came round and offered to accompany my wife on a short ride - about 120kms. I looked after the children and took them to Teretonga to watch the bikes at a track day.

My wife had a great trip and then binned the bike in the driveway. Munted the bike and herself pretty badly. We could have said I was riding. We didn't. We could have got her named on the insurance on the Monday and pretended she had binned the bike after that day. We didn't. We called the insurance broker on Monday and said:
"I'd like to cancel my policy for the GSX750F please"
"Sure, can I ask why?"
"We sold it"
"Cool"
"I'd like to cancel my insurance for the 600ss please"
"Why would you like to cancel that policy"
"Coz the missus binned it and there's not really enough of it left to insure"
"I see. Why aren't you making a claim?"
"Coz she's not insured to ried the small, lightweight, gutless, cheaper bike. She was only insured to ride the bigger, heavier, more valuable bike"

So policies cancelled I looked to see what could be done....of course looking at the state of the finances the expression "Streetfighter" leapt irresistably to mind.

Anyway I searched Trademe and bike wreckers and made phone calls and gradually got some pretty sharp prices for bits of the bike and sent some of the fairings in to get repared and resprayed meanwhile Dave from Kiwibike calls back and reckons we should lodge a claim anyway since we are decent customers he reckoned Swann migh cut us a wee break for being honest.

so we lodge a claim, Swann considered it and called me back to say "How much are these repairs costing you?" I gave them the cost and they said "Cool, we'll pop that into your bank account on Monday less your excess - thanks for your honesty - enjoy your bike."

So we got paid out despite not actually being entitled to a payout and I just got the last parts back from the panel beaters today.

Now to put the jigsaw puzzle back together again.

mynameis

25th September 2008, 23:42

Mate Dave's a decent bloke and very helpful, good story and nice to hear some reasonable people do exist. I know he's had a long and good relationship with Swan.

G0o0d and you's. Howz the project going?

howdamnhard

25th September 2008, 23:55

Hey thats great news.Glad to hear honesty actually occasionally pays off,everytime (read always honest) I've been honest I've just been shafted more.So who are you insured with Swann?
Hope your other half is mending well and that the streetfighter is coming along.:niceone:

Bren

26th September 2008, 00:10

hey man...good to hear a good outcome...so they are worth it as far as insurance is concerned...(my bike aint on road yet)

McJim

26th September 2008, 00:15

Just finished putting the bike back together. The knock seemed to create a bit of a leak from the engine so I took the left hand engine cover off tonight too. Ckeaned the mating surfaces took out the old gasket (which had some gaps in it) and used some liquid gasket stuff and re-assembled.

I have put the fairings on - she's now back ready to ride and shinier than ever - I''ll probably take some pictures over the weekend.

Too dark now. Off to bed. Last day at work tomorrow.

scracha

26th September 2008, 06:58

That's amazing news Jim. Insurance offering to pay out even when you're not making a claim.

ynot slow

26th September 2008, 07:42

Good old Dave,never met him but each time I call for info he is brilliant to deal with,the next bike will be insured through him,great story and result.Usually the insurance company will worm out at any cost,and this wasn't the case here and was warranted.

Big Chim

26th September 2008, 07:54

Shot Dave from Kiwibike Insurance - Nice work!!!!

I'm with Kiwibike insurance to - Good bunch of people

jrandom

26th September 2008, 07:59

I second the good comments about Dave at Kiwibike.

And that's a great story, McJim - restores one's faith in the humanity of insurance companies, doesn't it?

sAsLEX

26th September 2008, 08:03

restores one's faith in the humanity of insurance companies, doesn't it?

No, it keeps my faith in Kiwibike.

State can go get fucked.

jrandom

26th September 2008, 08:05

No, it keeps my faith in Kiwibike.

State can go get fucked.

Kiwibike and Swann, that is. Although I've had excellent service from Star, too.

I agree re. State. A friend of mine is getting royally fucked over by them right now. I will never buy a policy from them, ever.

Okey Dokey

26th September 2008, 09:26

It was nice of you to take the time to post that story, McJim. Thanks for a good read. Insurance companies are usually only involved in bad stories.

Sorry Mrs McJim got hurt, though. I hope she is doing okay, too.

discotex

26th September 2008, 09:58

My wife had a great trip and then binned the bike in the driveway. Munted the bike and herself pretty badly.

Hope she's healing up ok! :doctor:

My experience with Kiwibike has been great. Although I haven't made a claim I've always got the feeling if I need to they'll be really good to deal with.

Usarka

26th September 2008, 10:48

That really is O for Osome. Nice one Kiwibike and Swann.

So Osome in fact that I've decided to go for a ride right now.
Hope I dont have to call you.

awayatc

26th September 2008, 11:17

Will give Kiwibike a ring and insure my bike..............

OutForADuck

26th September 2008, 11:52

That is amazing... makes me consider re-assessing my insurance company belief system. Might just have to give them a call as well.

EJK

26th September 2008, 11:58

Will give Kiwibike a ring and insure my bike..............

You should have done it ages ago ;)
It's really fast and easy too!

klyong82

26th September 2008, 12:02

Yes +1 for Kiwibike.....nice and easy to deal with them and affordable prices. Not had a claim yet and I dont intend to but with all the great feedbacks I read and heard....my investment is in good hands.

rphenix

26th September 2008, 16:56

Interesting think I'll change both our bikes insurance up for renewal soon anyway.

That leaves the cage (really only used for supermarket ,and mitre 10 mega trips), who do you guys recommend for insuring a car?

Number One

26th September 2008, 17:15

Thanks for sharing :niceone: good story. AND I feel better and better all the time about my choice to sign with Kiwibike for insurance on my baby. If not for KB I wouldn't have known who to go with - cheers KB :yes:

jimbo

26th September 2008, 17:40

Well done Kiwi Bike:Punk:

ynot slow

26th September 2008, 17:58

That is amazing... makes me consider re-assessing my insurance company belief system. Might just have to give them a call as well.

Worth a go,costs nothing for a quote and might be cheaper.

Owl

26th September 2008, 18:26

Awesome result, but I have to ask. Wouldn't your wife be covered to ride the 600 using her 750 insurance?
I mean if someone was to ride my bike and bin it, I wouldn't be able to claim, but if I ride someone elses bike and bin, I can claim on my insurance. Just a thought!

sinfull

26th September 2008, 18:31

I'm covered for any rider with Kiwi, my access just goes up !
Good on ya Jim, nice to hear !!

Owl

26th September 2008, 18:57

I'm covered for any rider with Kiwi, my access just goes up !
Good on ya Jim, nice to hear !!

My last policy was like that, but it came at a price. Since changing policies, there are pluses here and negatives there, but I’m saving $300 per annum.

awayatc

26th September 2008, 19:03

You should have done it ages ago ;)
It's really fast and easy too!

Have got all of my cages insured.....(a fair few), but thought that with a small bike the amount of damage I could cause to others is minimal....
(as compared to my Landrover for example...)
Also thought that in a major mishap damage to other vehicles will be the last thing on my mind.....
(if I still would have one .....)
Small mishaps i will pay for myself of course
And lastly I am an optimist, and believe therefor that i will not cause an accident....
(managed to do so for the last 32 years...)

But if Kiwibike do business as Young McJim recounts, then they deserve my full support.
(online quote submitted)

:scooter:

sinfull

26th September 2008, 19:30

My last policy was like that, but it came at a price. Since changing policies, there are pluses here and negatives there, but I’m saving $300 per annum.

Ironic aya ! I looked at the option where i was insured for both triples rather than both having full cover but thought awww hell why not insure em both and lend em out to mates (who all seem to have older bikes trumpies, nortons etc) then came to a realisation that i was one of the only ones who had a bloody bike licence also ! Then to sit here with no licence for the last 3 months and neither bike has been ridden Grrrrr !
All will change come the next policy term i'd say lol, the 955 is going as a trade on H's next bike and i'll just cover myself to ride both !

325rocket

26th September 2008, 20:30

these guys are fantastic. been with them for two years now. very easy people (all of them) to deal with.

KiwiKat

27th September 2008, 04:40

Fantastic to see the insurer looking after the client like that. A good bit of PR for the insurers. Keeps the money and the clients coming in.

Mr Triple

29th September 2008, 19:41

Good on ya Jim that's great news. I've got my bike insured with Kiwibike and my last bike. Dave is real good to deal with, not that I've had to claim yet. :2thumbsup

PirateJafa

29th September 2008, 22:31

After the great quote they got me on my last bike, and how efficient and professional they were in dealing with my claim on it, I didn't even shop around for insurance on my latest two - went straight to Dave. :niceone:

TOTO

30th September 2008, 16:36

wow wicked. I'm going to get insured with them in a few months then when the old policy expires.

Thanks McJim

discotex

30th September 2008, 16:59

wow wicked. I'm going to get insured with them in a few months then when the old policy expires.

Make sure you get trackday cover :)

skidMark

2nd October 2008, 08:55

Well going by post #1 it sounds like i should go with kiwibike.

Wonder how the are in regards to convicted dangerous drivers.... disqualified for demerits...and a 21 year old who has had 11 crashes?

I will get cheap premiums right? :buggerd:

Daffyd

8th October 2008, 16:34

slopster

8th October 2008, 20:07

cs363

8th October 2008, 20:25

Is state really that bad? I've got 3rd party only with them for my cage cos its worth fuck all and they are twice as cheap as anyone else haven't had to claim yet.

Bikes insured with Kiwibike and Star

State are a very good example of 'you get what you pay for' they are cheap in every aspect....... nuff said

crazybigal

8th October 2008, 22:37

cheap! what planet are you on, state wanted twice what swan wanted to insure my blackbird

State are a very good example of 'you get what you pay for' they are cheap in every aspect....... nuff said

slopster

8th October 2008, 23:14

cheap! what planet are you on, state wanted twice what swan wanted to insure my blackbird

Yeah well state gave me 3rd party on my car for under $3 a week. Wouldn't even think about insuring my bike with them though

cs363

9th October 2008, 06:27

cheap! what planet are you on, state wanted twice what swan wanted to insure my blackbird

I didn't say they were the cheapest....just cheap in the derogatory sense.

Whereas Swann/Kiwibiker are an exception to the rule. State are also cheap on their pay outs (they hate it) their repairs (they grind the shit out of repairers so you don't always get a top quality repair) and in my experience (and others) their staff are uninterested and unhelpful.

This is of course a generalisation and like all generalisations there may be exceptions - whatever the case I wouldn't recommend State to my worst enemy.

Of course they may have a good policy covering falls from high horses that I'm not aware of....

Neon

9th October 2008, 12:42

I've just bitten the bullet and re-insured with State again for another year. It's just too damn attractive with multi-policy, no-claims and other discounts. It was going to cost more than twice as much through Kiwibike and John Baker, with the unfortunate exception that it's still not insured for trackdays :angry:

Maybe when I trade up in a few months I'll revisit the whole thing <_<

alanzs

9th October 2008, 16:41

I second the good comments about Dave at Kiwibike.

And that's a great story, McJim - restores one's faith in the humanity of insurance companies, doesn't it?

I third it. I haven't had a claim with them, but he was a stand up guy to deal with when I bought the insurance. It is a good story, and just reaffirms the reputation I have heard of them.

Gubb

9th October 2008, 16:48

That's it, i'm switching next week.

I rang AMI, and asked them about their policy on Track Days (you can guess what it is), and they asked me to describe exactly what a track day is.

Me: "It's held on a Race Track"
AMI: "So it's a Race then, we don't cover races"
Me: "No, more of a rider up-skilling process"
AMI: "Held at a race track?"
Me: "Yes"
AMI: "We don't cover races"
Me: "Gah!"

Surely they've been asked this hundreds of times before. Idiots.

If only Kiwibike could cover my Contents, and Car.

jrandom

9th October 2008, 17:24

... they asked me to describe exactly what a track day is.

Me: "It's held on a Race Track"
AMI: "So it's a Race then..."

Smart cookies.

:lol:

Star is currently wishing they'd started saying the same a couple years back. Enjoy the trackday cover while it lasts.

Swoop

9th October 2008, 20:33

I will be interested to find out if Kiwibike would also look at house/contents and also car insurance.

My rear end feels as if it has had a royal reaming with house/contents cover recently.:shit:

carver

12th November 2008, 18:41

i am with kiwibike!
sounds like my insurance is in good hands..
untill they find out who i am on here...

Beemer

13th November 2008, 13:32

I'm pretty sure we were told that if anyone not specifically covered on your policy has an accident, you pay a higher excess and then have higher premiums the following year.

I've got my bike insured with them and Andy has three of his with them too - rang to insure both for full cover and then was told it would only be about another $100 to insure the third fully too - he had been paying about $80 for third party only elsewhere.

We can't complain about State for house and contents insurance though - we've had two house claims (cracked shower and leak in roof) and they paid out without any problem both times, and one contents claim that they paid out within days once we provided the proof.

vifferman

13th November 2008, 13:49

I've just ... re-insured with State again for another year. It's just too damn attractive with multi-policy, no-claims and other discounts. It was going to cost more than twice as much through Kiwibike and John Baker, with the unfortunate exception that it's still not insured for trackdays
That's weird...

We can't complain about State for house and contents insurance though
Well, we'd been insured by state for a very long time (had my first policy with them back when I was about 16). However, they didn't seem too appreciate the fact we had house, contents, and three vehicle policies with them, and had only ever had one claim (burglary) up until a few years ago, when our eldest son wrote off the second car. In particular, their vehicle policies seemed expensive and restrictive, so we switched everything (at least $3.5k in premiums) to AMI. Then after a couple of years, the bike policy didn't look as good as it could have, despite no at-fault claims EVER. I got a few quotes, and KiwiBike came up trumps - policy was much more flexible, had gear cover for both me and my pillion for up to $2500, had MUCH lower excesses, AND was something like $350/year cheaper. Oh - and when I volunteered my history of tickets (only three in 30 years, but two of them were within a few months prior to the application), they basically said, "We don't care, because you're a mature rider". :niceone:

steelestring

13th November 2008, 15:34

Hey was just wondering who actually does track day cover? Does kiwibike?

ynot slow

16th November 2008, 08:52

Hey was just wondering who actually does track day cover? Does kiwibike?

My policy says yes,as long as you let them know.

And as for service,rang up at 4.50pm on Friday to cancel cover on the GSX on Monday,arrange cover for the Bandit from Saturday,all done via phone and covered as of midnight Friday/Saturday morning.

LBD

27th April 2009, 05:59

Hey was just wondering who actually does track day cover? Does kiwibike?

My policy says yes,as long as you let them know.
.

My initial enquiry with KBI included a track day question and was told "As long as I let them know in advance" but when the policy turned up it was worded "Only with insurers advance approval"

I have not had the opportunity to attend a track day with the newpolicy yet so cannot advise further.

Suggest you read the policy to check.

YLWDUC

27th April 2009, 06:37

My initial enquiry with KBI included a track day question and was told "As long as I let them know in advance" but when the policy turned up it was worded "Only with insurers advance approval"

I think they are selective about which Companies/Track days to insure. Some of them out there are pretty loose, while other (like Honda for example) are specifically aimed as Training days.

Don't know who does add-on insurance for track days though. Might be easier just to hire a GSXR from Hampton downs when it opens.

vifferman

27th April 2009, 11:20

Given the posts on KB about track days, if I was an insurer I wouldn't cover any apart from advanced rider training. The last few threads I read were all about laptimes, maximum speeds, who passed who, and who had the biggest equipment. It's not too hard for someone from one of the companies to check up on this and say, "Nah - not covering trackdays any more."

MaxCannon

27th April 2009, 12:31

Kiwibike cover trackdays. You must get them pre-approved first.

Don't think there is anything significantly more risky about a track day than a ride on the road.

Reckless riding is dealt with by the officials - or with a quiet word in the pits with whoever cut you up ;)

In my experience no one wants to walk home or have their bike wrecked so it's a case of mutual respect.

steelestring

27th April 2009, 13:08

I went to a trackday on the 19th of this month at manfield. I called kiwibike and asked about trackday cover... they said as long as its an approved organisation running it, its ok... I emailed the details and they promptly replied telling me that i was covered:headbang:

Excess was 2 grand but could be reduced for a one off payment of 50 dollars to halve this. I took the choice of the reduced excess... not that I was planning on going "balls to the walls" but because you just never know what might happen. I did hum and har about this.... being the total cost of the trackday.

It was a great day! I didnt push hard and rode within my limits. My mentor Bistard showing me the lines and rideing with me the whole day. I have now got my suspension sorted out and brakeing skills turned, I feel so much better on the road.

Thank you kiwibike!!!!!! Awesome service!!

Trackdays are vital rider for rider development but not to be abused!

Gubb

27th April 2009, 13:30

Might be easier just to hire a GSXR from Hampton downs when it opens.

Not for $300 for the bike, plus the $2k excess it won't.

Waihou Thumper

3rd June 2018, 14:38

I have just cancelled my Insurance with State!
I bought another motorcycle, same model and year and the price is more?
The excuse was the computer just tells me the price?

Anyway, to insure three bikes was going to be bloody expensive as I had cancelled all three policies in my little rant...:)
I then went to AA, Naa, forget it! Out of this world expensive and they wouldn't insure a road legal 950 Adventure but would insure the 640 enduro? what? Did not pursue this....

To cut a long story short, Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance wins hands down.
It wasn't the price, it was the ease at filling in a form THAT included listing more than one bike, so simple really.
I did not have to go through declaration after declaration and the price was absolutely fantastic! :shit:

I have signed, sealed and now awaiting delivery of said policies....
Many thanks to Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance, they get my endorsement! :wings:

R650R

4th June 2018, 15:02