Put off by insurance (lack of)

[cold_fusion]

Hi,
Well I just went into the AA today to get a quote for 2 bikes that I'm looking at, I had just about enough time to sit down and say "I'm 19" and "motorbike" before a shap no was returned. The lady then explained that they would not insure me unless I had my full motorbike licence for 5 years. It did not matter to them that I have my full car licence and I (and my parents) are insured through them.
Anyway so she told me to goto AMI accross the road because, and I quote "then insure alot of bikers" . Once again I got a big old "we won't insure you".
It's not like I'm trying to get a screaming 2 stroke 250cc on my learners, not that I had a chance to say that. So where did everyone get insured on their learners? I'd reather not change my car insurance as its cheap as with the AA so I'd like to just insure a bike with someone.
Any help would be awesome, also I'll be doing some ringing around tomorrow to try and get quotes, I'd just like to know some places where I'll get further than the horrrible 'M' word.
Thanks.

[imdying]

I'm with State. Was with them when I was 15. Had all my bikes with them since. Never tried anywhere else... maybe I'm paying too much? Don't really care much, the house and car are now with them, so it's a matter of convenience more than anything.

[SlashWylde]

I have my car & contents with State so when I got the 250 on my learners bike licence they added that to my policy no problem. However I was over 25 at the time and allready held a full car licence.

Now with the 800 & full bike licence I have it insured with Protecta.

[cold_fusion]

Ok, I'll put state and protecta on my list of places to call tomorrow. Anyone 18-19 on their learners recently done the ring around to get quotes? Once again I'm amazed at the speed of replies on the KB forums, you guys are awesome and very welcoming to my n00bie self

[dveus]

I got my bike insurance through swann. Was 19 at the time and didn't have any issues with being turned down.

[Suzi Q]

We have our Bike insurance through a broker - David Golightly - 03 357 2428 - he is underwritten by Vero. Not sure if your age will make a differnece, but he is very competitive in pricing.

[Rosie]

I'm with AMI, they were no problem at all, but...
I'm over 25 (thus am "sensible")
I have my car and my contents with AMI already
I thought the licence thing would be a problem, but they didn't seem concerned about what licence I was on.

I've had trouble insuring cars with State in the past (my 17 year old Toyota corolla is a high performance sports car apparently), but I think someone, somewhere along the line will have had trouble with any insurance company.

Somewhere that specialises more in motorbike insurance, rather than the big home-car-contents companies would probably be more understanding towards a young motorcyclist (and recognise that you weren't getting a stupidly powerful learners bike).

Costs aside, you may need to switch all your insurance somewhere else so you get cover, then switch again when you get a full licence.

[madboy]

Mainstream insurers will be difficult at your age I expect. AA insured me, but I'm 30 and have two cars with them already, all three with a $1500 excess. Try the boutique insurers. Swann, as above, seems to be mentioned around here a lot.

[slopster]

Or get 3rd party only with national auto club. They will insure almost anyone. Mine cost me $150 a year and im 21 riding a zxr 750. Mind you they wanted some ridiculous sum when I asked about full insurance.

[N4CR]

After mentioning the word 'kawasaki' and number '18' to the AA I was told they don't insure those types of bikes... bahahahaha!

Protecta gave me full cover with % based excesses for $850 a year and now with no claims it is down to $650. Sweeet.

[cold_fusion]

I kind of expected to have a problem with insurance for me being under 25, I was turned down by 2 places when I tried to insure the mighty mini being all of 998cc, nothing short of my parents changing their insurance and putting my mums name on the papers as well as mine would get me insurance with the bug boys, I think I was 17 at the time. I haven't crashed my preformance car yet.

[kiwifruit]

try a broker
they will do the work for you, for free

[Smee]

I'm with State, had just got my learners, 30 years old with no convictions, and tried to insure my cbr250. In the beginning the bird said no, until I mentioned I would take my contents, house and car insurance elsewhere - then she got her supervisor and they agreed. I dont think it has much to do with age - more to do with "learner" than anything. Maybe the bike had something as well? To keep costs down, I only wanted to insure it for third-party, fire and theft (like my first car) but they only do full cover or nothing - seemed weird.

[Jamezo]

Who do you think is the best bet for insuring the following?

18 years old
Both learner licences (lol?)
3rd party (mebbe fire and theft, but meh)
The ol' RG150

[MattRSK]

Hey
Just got insurance today through Dave at Kiwi Bike Motorcycle insurance. I am 19 years old and cost me $476 a year. There is no hassles there. www.kiwibike.co.nz. It is through Swann Insurance. 0800 629 253. It was for full Fire and Theft.