Bikesure/ Insurance cancellation charges

StarsKey

Hi All,

Just registered as have become incensed with my insurance provider Bikesure.

I ride and race off road motorcycles, as a legitimate club rider in organised events. I also ride the same motorcycle on the road on occasion. It is road legal, hence the requirement for insurance. I also like to have them reg'd and insured as they tend to attract a certain 'scally' interest and this seems to appease the nosy types (the presence of a number plate) and also helps me sleep better knowing they're on a register somewhere and insured should anyone manage to steal them.

I recently bought a new bike. I phoned Bikesure (Adrian Flux by another name) to swap over the insurance. I still had the old bike to which the insurance was 'attached', but it was SORN and was actually being recommissioned after a year of off road use, prior to my selling it.

On speaking with the cal centre I mentioned I wanted to swap over the insurance. She asked if I still had the old bike. I replied I had. She then asked if it was to be insured with another supplier. It was not. Then she said it must be insured, to which I replied I didn't think this was the case as it was SORN. I was told that it needed to be insured, as I "could' still used it on the road, if I saw fit. In a throwaway comment I mentioned that would not be possible as it was in many pieces. Boom. off we went. I'm afraid I have to cancel your policy sir. ..

Because the bike wasn't in a roadworthy condition, it was against my T's&C's, thus cancellation was required. But I was undertaking maintenance to effect the same. This apparently didn't count. I was not a 'garage', I am a charted mech engineer and previously a time served mechanic. I enquired as to what constitutes 'not road worthy ' and was told (verbally) taking ANYTHING off. Most of my peers undertake their own maintenance I pointed out that racers, like me up and down the country will take at least one thing or panel off (say to change a filter...) and here started my second issue. Racing. I didn't mention I raced the bike. They would have to cancel my policy.....

This went on. Essentially they were hell bent on cancelling my policy. It was paid for in full on inception.

Suffice to say I questioned it. I never got a proper answer to the resultant 10 questions, which I emailed, or clarity on their T's &C's (though at one point they cited a very random and unconnected website, in a rather well versed line about vehicles used in competition being 'expected to be more costly to insure' to no avail either). Eventually after realising they were wildly incorrect and unable to cite their own T's and C's to cancel my policy, it was 'reinstated'. So to be honest, I kept my head down.

I've now just received a letter asking for my mileage and my immobiliser details. The bike has no speedo and no immobiliser. I told them this on taking out the (new bike) policy. Quelle surpis, if I cannot provide this information, you've guessed it, my policy will be cancelled.... There has been no reference to either in my policy booklet or the issued certificate, and they admit they never asked previously but they want one now.

Seemingly, any excuse to cancel a policy, they're on it, with a hefty fee and no forward liability. Seems like a good way to swell the coffers to me. Has anybody else had the same experience? I've found a few forums to suggest so, I'm no fan of T's&C's, but theirs are laughably vague and they seem hellbent on using them to cancel the policy, whack on the big charge, refund a few pence and walk away.

The girl at the call centre was very good at dealing with a rather persistent grilling though. I'd give her a job!

Thoughts?

StarsKey

(I should mention that I do not need insurance in place under this policy to race my bike in an off road event and I would not/was not looking to claim on the policy subsequent to doing so, I accept that I would not be able to do so and a such, I don't think the racing of the bike is any of their concern)

fivetide

I'd call a off-road bike mag and/or MCN et al. Let them make Bikesure squirm. I bet they'll suddenly be very apologetic.

StarsKey

I did suggest I might in the previous rounds. I also spoke to TBM magazine to follow this up who were receptive.

It's pretty dire behaviour on the part of the insurers, I'm not sure I'm 100% cynical in suggesting that it is to their benefit to find something flaky, based on vague T's&C's, to wiggle out of a policy, keeping the lions share of the premium without having to honour the risk. As far as I can tell this is 'legitimate'. Of course Bikesure cite the nasty underwriters - The parent company. Nonsense.

fivetide

Bikesure wrote: »

I am sorry to hear of your concerns StarsKey. As you can probably tell, I have just registered in the hope that we can contact you and resolve any problems.

Please do not disclose any personal or sensitive information in the public forum. If you can PM me your reference number, I will ensure that your concerns are investigated by a manager before we return to you.

Thank you.

Bikesure

You might have also wanted to read the T&C's for the forum.

If you want to represent a company you need to register as such.

Sure it won't be an issue. At least it's proactive.