Why does everyone recommend Kiwibike Insurance?

[vifferman]

I'd been with State for a very long time (since 1973-ish) and we had all our insurances with them. After years and years, I realised they didn't value the fact we'd had house, contents, cars (3) and bike insurance with them for many years and had no sort of loyalty discounts or whatever. So, we switched to AMI. After a while with them, I realised that though they were generally good, they didn't particuarly like insuring bikes, so I switched to KiwiBike a few years ago, and I'm quite contented. I get a discount for being older, storing the bike in a gargre with alarm when it's at home, and another for low annual mileage. Plus I get track-day coverage (not yet used), breakdown coverage, gear cover, and can tell them what I reckon my bike should be worth (no extra added to the premium). Oh - and I'm paying a lot less than at AMI or State.

[banditrider]

The only issue I've had with State was when I was hit by an uninsured driver. They suggested I take him to court. I suggested that the changes to their third party policy made it their problem - they paid up straight away. No similar issues on later claims both car & bike.

Know your policy and if you're in the right stand your ground. It's their job to fine a reason not to pay up...

[MrKiwi]

Kiwibike insured me when others wouldn't. And they cover trackdays.
Good luck getting money out of state....

Have you had trouble getting money out of State or is this by reputation? I've always insured through State and never had problems, since 1982. About 18 months ago I managed to drop my bike while on tour. My riding friends were surprised when all it took to get it sorted was one phone call. No forms to fill out. They shipped the bike home and then finally assessed it would cost more to fix than write it off so it got written off. They paid up straight away. Having said this I'm not sure they are necessarily the cheapest to insure with but since I have a 60% discount (or had) I haven't actually got around to changing insurer and I like the service I've had from them to date. I get a discount for storing the bike in the garage, for an alarm and for loyalty.

[Tigadee]

Kiwibike switched my policy for my Yamaha Zeal 250 to my Yamaha XJ400 without fuss and even maintained the same premium even though it was a bigger bike.

[BoristheBiter]

The second time, I had my phone stolen from inside my house. I had bought the phone no more than 3 months prior to the loss for $1,500. State tried to offer cover for a $180 phone and told me I may as well not make the claim as the new phone was worth less than my excess. I eventually managed to reach settlement with them, they wouldn't replace the phone as they were unable to find it with one of there suppliers, and even though I could find the phone for them they refused to pay for the phone. Settlement was just over $500 once the excess had been deducted.

In both cases, I now know that I had way more rights than they lead me to believe, but I was too young and naive to know how to do anything better.

I wouldn't like to use State again. I'd be constantly concerned that I was pissing my money against a wall.

we broke our stereo, an old one but a good one.
as they don't make it anymore, was over 10 years old, they offered us a replacement one. We didn't like it so we showed them the one we wanted and they said fine even though it was worth more.

You have to know what policy you are paying for as we get replacement value and not current value or purchase price.
most other company's only pay current value.

[davebullet]

most impressed with dave and his team at kiwibike. prompt with a quote / service - better that state - switchover will occur monday. Said that backup any claims needed.

[davebullet]

PS: currently with state and they paid out for my off last year - one phone call, assessed within 2 days and all sorted. great service, but way way way overpriced. maybe you get what you pay for?

[Flip]

I had a run in with a very nasty bitch at AMI a few years ago. I would not poke them with a pointed stick.

I have two houses and the wifes car with State and never had a problem, even after the canterbury earthquake. The bikes are with John Baker with the Ulysses MCC policy. Three cars are with Classic cover and one is with Roughton Nelson with the MGCC policy.

I got knocked off the harley recently and John Baker were brillant. Collected the bike and tookit to the Harley shop.I got it back after only 2 weeks all fixed up. It helped that the other driver was charged with careless.

[GrayWolf]

I've been insured with NZI (only accepted on a bike under 750 and all other insurances with them)
AMI directly and through the my AA membership << which sems to get a bit better service?
State, overpriced IMO, and very difficult to get the real value of an item out of. We made a claim on a rental that had been damaged by a tennant... you pay a 'landlord's premium' and it is a complete rip off.... "sorry the tenant is legally in the property so the damage is 'misuse' so uninsured. Howevr had they burnt the house down, or 'blown it up' we would then cover you" Thanks very much.

Now with Kiwibike, for both bike and 'er indoor's" can am... havent claimed yet, and dont want to.. but it's nice to talk to people who are bike savvy. Price wise... I found KB to be competitive, but then once you become an 'over 50 old bastard' most things are cheaper.... apart from healthcare

[Conquiztador]

Kiwibike are the broker, not the insurer. And they are right - you do get motorcycle specific insurance.

I don't know about you, but I haven't heard good things about State come claim time.

I had a really tricky claim after my chain ate my motorbike. Insurer (Protecta) initially said they wouldn't pay out as it was a 'mechanical failure'. So I was looking at a $7500 chain breakage. Dave at Kiwibike took it on, on my behalf, and after 8 very fraught weeks - I got a surprise email announcing a full payout on my bike. I really appreciated their service in that respect, and suppose that an insurer considers all the business Kiwibike bring them when deciding to honour or deny a claim.

No huge love for insurance companies, but was very thankful in my instance. I've reinsured through Kiwibike and happy to give them my continued support.

Two words: Shaft drive

[avgas]

Never had an issue with 3rd party state. But if I had the coin I would get full cover from someone else.
Misses just pranged her car, her fault, state paid out no questions asked. Which amazed me.

What pisses me off about states 3rd party was way back in 99 it used to be $20 for a bike, then it got bumped up to $85.......now its $240!

I had issues with IAG in the past. They accused me of being in fault.......while I was in hospital due to THEIR customer. Told them to fuck off and talk to their client, to ask him why the police have charged him with dangerous driving causing harm.
That shut them the fuck up.

[BoristheBiter]

Never had an issue with 3rd party state. But if I had the coin I would get full cover from someone else.
Misses just pranged her car, her fault, state paid out no questions asked. Which amazed me.

What pisses me off about states 3rd party was way back in 99 it used to be $20 for a bike, then it got bumped up to $85.......now its $240!

I had issues with IAG in the past. They accused me of being in fault.......while I was in hospital due to THEIR customer. Told them to fuck off and talk to their client, to ask him why the police have charged him with dangerous driving causing harm.
That shut them the fuck up.

with full comp you would never have that problem no matter who is at fault they pay out.

[DEATH_INC.]

Have you had trouble getting money out of State or is this by reputation? .

They wouldn't even look at insuring me. I have had mates that were with state, can't think of any now. I also deal with a lot of panelbeaters through work, a lot of them will not accept state work anymore as they don't allow enough for a proper repair job.
But, pay cheap, get cheap.
Good luck.

[avgas]

with full comp you would never have that problem no matter who is at fault they pay out.

At 5 years of premium I could also replace the bike, so kept it at 3rd party (incase I had a whoopsie). Was a $2000 GB400 - so effectively a toy more than my sole mode of transport.

Wasn't really to concerned with the fact of getting the money out. 3rd party would cover the payout if he wasn't insured anyway. Just did not like being accosted in hospital - when their customer was the one charged by police.

[James Deuce]

The very best insurance company for motorcyclists in NZ is Harley Davidson Insurance. Amongst the huge number of hidden benefits in buying a Motor Company product is the community of services and products that orbit the brand. Make all the jokes you want about backless chaps, if a series of fuckups happens, and you're insured with HD, they will look after you like family. They treat you and your family members with respect and they offer services that they aren't obliged to.

My next brand new or near-new bike will probably reflect that. Some years hence most likely.