The definitive motorcycle insurance thread

[Oscar]

I have worked in insurance (medical) for the past two years and will NOT use a broker.
.

Why not?
You won't access several insurers without one.

[BoristheBiter]

Why not?
You won't access several insurers without one.

Actually you can, it's called a telephone.

[russd7]

Actually you can, it's called a telephone.

email works wonders as well but that is technology which seems to be over some peoples level of technological understanding

[Piebald]

Why not?
You won't access several insurers without one.

True, because those insurers may not have sales teams in your area or at all.
If you sound serious or make a initial payment most of them will send somebody down, more money in their pocket!

[BoristheBiter]

email works wonders as well but that is technology which seems to be over some peoples level of technological understanding

I always find the quotes they use are always too far out and it can take a day or to for them to replay to emails.
telephone and they answer, give you a quote. you can basically get it done in a day.

[Oscar]

Actually you can, it's called a telephone.

Some insurers only deal through brokers.

[Oscar]

True, because those insurers may not have sales teams in your area or at all.
If you sound serious or make a initial payment most of them will send somebody down, more money in their pocket!

I guess a coupla years in Medical Insurance makes you the expert...

[BoristheBiter]

Some insurers only deal through brokers.

Guess they lose a shit load of business.

I will never, ever deal with a company a can't call direct. straight away it sounds dodgy.

[Piebald]

I guess a coupla years in Medical Insurance makes you the expert...

Not what I meant, I meant I know that they need to make a commission and usually continue to for the life of the policy.
Id just rather pay the insurance company, not the company and another individual

[Oscar]

Not what I meant, I meant I know that they need to make a commission and usually continue to for the life of the policy.
Id just rather pay the insurance company, not the company and another individual

Firstly, you only pay one party - the broker.
Secondly, the insurer pays the broker his commission (which is called brokerage, BTW), not you.
The insurer does this because, in certain types of insurance, it is cheaper for them.

[Oscar]

Guess they lose a shit load of business.

I will never, ever deal with a company a can't call direct. straight away it sounds dodgy.

See my answer below, plus: you can't call Lloyds of London direct (you have to use a broker), and I don't think Lloyds are dodgy.

[yevjenko]

Big variation in quote prices...

40 yr old riding an Aprilia, living in a safe area of Wellie, driveway but no garage, no accidents or losses,
Fully comp, named rider
State - $578 - excess $1000 (+$51 for monthly payments)
Swann - $641 - excess $500 (no charge for monthly payments)
Protecta - $435 - excess $500 (no charge for monthly payments)
Star - no go - they don't insure un-garaged bikes (then I guess not a lot of customers in Wellington)
Kiwibike came back with two quotes that seem based on the above insurers but are more expensive on both and also charge for monthly payments (Sorry Dave)

200 bucks is a big difference...

[swbarnett]

Big variation in quote prices...

40 yr old riding an Aprilia, living in a safe area of Wellie, driveway but no garage, no accidents or losses,
Fully comp, named rider
State - $578 - excess $1000 (+$51 for monthly payments)
Swann - $641 - excess $500 (no charge for monthly payments)
Protecta - $435 - excess $500 (no charge for monthly payments)
Star - no go - they don't insure un-garaged bikes (then I guess not a lot of customers in Wellington)
Kiwibike came back with two quotes that seem based on the above insurers but are more expensive on both and also charge for monthly payments (Sorry Dave)

200 bucks is a big difference...

Not only that, I can't fault Protecta's service when it comes time to claim.

[yevjenko]

Not only that, I can't fault Protecta's service when it comes time to claim.

Good to know. Thanks SW

[rustyrobot]

Not only that, I can't fault Protecta's service when it comes time to claim.

+1 on this (with support from Kiwibike for my tricky claim)

Only thing is I'm pretty sure Protecta wont do track days - something to be aware of it that's a possibility.