The definitive motorcycle insurance thread

[Oscar]

I havnt been here since I asked the question what is the best insurance here in nz (not originally from here) and after long time of investigation I found a Honda Rider Insurance as the best option (at least works for me) where:

- full cover, premium
- $17.5k bike
- $500 access
- +undeclared rider access $500
- road assistance (and rescue)
- gear covering up to $4k
- insurance applicable for honda race circuit days too

At the risk of repeating myself, anyone who buys insurance based on price alone is asking for trouble.

[James Deuce]

At the risk of repeating myself, anyone who buys insurance based on price alone is asking for trouble.

Indeed.

And other things.

[BrendonF]

I just did mine through Kiwirider. $530 a year, $500 excess, $1250 for gear, track day coverage, roadside assistance.


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[Mike.Gayner]

I sent a "track day request" to Kiwibike two days ago for a Taupo track day coming up on December. Unfortunately they have declined my request as there is "no rider training so no cover". I didn't realise they (specifically, the insurer Star) took such an inflexible line on track days, particularly as this day doesn't consist of any racing or timed laps.

I will be shopping around for a new insurer, which is a shame considering I only just purchased this policy.

[Blackbird]

I sent a "track day request" to Kiwibike two days ago for a Taupo track day coming up on December. Unfortunately they have declined my request as there is "no rider training so no cover". I didn't realise they (specifically, the insurer Star) took such an inflexible line on track days, particularly as this day doesn't consist of any racing or timed laps.

I will be shopping around for a new insurer, which is a shame considering I only just purchased this policy.

Protecta cover track days as part of the fully comp policy I have with them. The only requirement is that you let them know when and where you're doing one.

[Mike.Gayner]

I've emailed Protecta to find out EXACTLY what they cover, but I'm not holding my breath. I had a phone call from Alan at Kiwbike to discuss the matter, and his view is that no insurer anywhere in NZ will cover this type of track day - if there isn't hi-viz marshalls and someone manning a BBQ they don't consider it an organised track day event and won't cover it.

My impression from Kiwibike was the same as you've described Protecta's cover - all good as long as you let them know. Evidently they're picky about exactly WHICH track days they cover.

[Mike.Gayner]

Sure enough I just got an email back from Protecta, their current criteria (which sounds very subject to change based on the phone call I had with Alan @ KB) seem to be:

• The event has an appointed Clerk of the Course in charge at all times
• The riders are briefed prior to being permitted onto the course
• Entry to the course is controlled by a marshal, and additional marshals are posted at all marshalling stations around the course
• There is communication between marshalling stations and riders by a clear, easy to understand flag system
• That riders are separated into groups of similar ability and machine
• There is a staggered start (can be 2 bikes starting at the same time)
• There are rules stipulating that in the event of passing another motorcycle there must be a clearance of at least 2 metres between each bike

These Taupo days (this is not a Moto TT event) have almost none of those, so cover looks unlikely in this case with any insurer.

It would be nice if they would publish this information rather than leaving you to guess based on vague promises on their websites.

[Gremlin]

These Taupo days (this is not a Moto TT event) have almost none of those, so cover looks unlikely in this case with any insurer.

It would be nice if they would publish this information rather than leaving you to guess based on vague promises on their websites.

It's a changing policy. Initially they did cover almost any track day, but quickly learned (through claims) that not all track days were equal, so the rules changed (and also, I think if you want track days, there is an extra excess? unless that's changed. Again, wasn't initially, then was).

Some like Star I think also give you a discount for attending select track days.

I've been with Swann via Kiwibike for years, made one claim, they cover all my event riding in Marathons, Ironman etc as long as I give them a heads up prior (normally send a rough season schedule). Yeah, can't complain...

[Mike.Gayner]

I'm thinking of switching from the test day at Taupo to the organised Moto TT track day a week earlier, which they will cover.

The last test day I went to (at the time I was self-insuring) only had two spills the whole day, both from track bikes with cold tyres.

[Mike.Gayner]

Kiwibike (specifically Star) have agreed to cover me for the Moto TT track day, under the condition that my excess is tripled, I can only ride in beginner/intermediate groups, no third party liability cover, no slicks (I guess this is to keep speed down) and a few other minor conditions. This is all acceptable, even if it's a bit annoying, especially the astronomical excess hike.

It's not like I have much of an option, because it sounds like the insurers are all as inflexible as each other. I just wish they were more honest about it, rather than offering vague promises of cover on application, followed by onerous restrictions.

Might be time for a track bike in my future so I don't have to worry so much about destroying my precious

[nodrog:Me]

Kiwibike (specifically Star) have agreed to cover me for the Moto TT track day, under the condition that my excess is tripled, I can only ride in beginner/intermediate groups, no third party liability cover, no slicks (I guess this is to keep speed down) and a few other minor conditions. This is all acceptable, even if it's a bit annoying, especially the astronomical excess hike.

It's not like I have much of an option, because it sounds like the insurers are all as inflexible as each other. I just wish they were more honest about it, rather than offering vague promises of cover on application, followed by onerous restrictions.

Might be time for a track bike in my future so I don't have to worry so much about destroying my precious

just do what everybody else does and just say it fell off the trailer on the way home.

[jonnyk5614]

So just putting in my first ever insurance claim.

I'm with AMI although the other guy will probably be found at fault.

Did the claim form online and after 3 days they hadn't called back so chased them.

Now all is rolling - their "approved repairer" is Harley Davidson (for a Suzuki GSXR???). I said I'd prefer Coleman Suzuki. No hassle - just no guarantee on the repairs. Think Colemans should stand by their work so no issues there....

They said gear came under my home/contents insurance (which is with them). I got a bit pissy and said "are the seatbelts and airbags in the car house/contents? These aren't fancy designer clothes - it is safety equipment that is the difference between living and not" and they agreed to call them "accessories", albeit at market value so we will see how that goes.

Just got to wait and see what their assessor says now.

Overall sound helpful, albeit a bit "what is this motorbike you speak of?".

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[Owl]

They said gear came under my home/contents insurance (which is with them). I got a bit pissy and said "are the seatbelts and airbags in the car house/contents?

Depends on their wording, but I'd argue one excess per event. Many companies do that.

I dumped all four of my AMI policies after a contents claim went sour. May be different now they're under the IAG umbrella, but I wouldn't count on it.

[jonnyk5614]

To be perfectly honest, I asked when I took out the cover and they said gear wasn't included but though worth a go lol! Her boss wasn't too hard to persuade


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[Owl]

Yeah I'm meaning motorcycle policy claim + contents claim, but one excess, being the highest of the two.

That make sense?