Motorbike Insurance Problem

GarthThomas

I had three motorbikes stolen in one visit last year after twenty years of claim-free motoring. I was pretty upset, but the insurance paid out, and I went back to having two bikes for the rest of the year (one scooter, one "proper" bike).

Come renewal, I'm listed as having three claims, so seem to be uninsurable. Well, my original broker will give me third party only for £1,200 which I'd really rather not have to stretch to, but no-one else will touch me.

If it had been one claim for the same amount I'd be fine, and I was wondering, is recording it as three separate claims correct, are there any grounds for having it listed as one event, and has anyone any recommendations for any specialist brokers or insurers who might be willing to look at it as one very unfortunate theft as opposed to a pattern of repeated claims, which of course looks far worse.

Thanks very much.

paddyandstumpy

Did you make 3 seperate claims?

I see your point of view, the peril is the same, but they are 3 separate incidents (based on what you've said above).

What preventative measures did you put in place after the first, second and third claim? If none, that's why the insurer won't offer you theft cover!

lewishardwick

paddyandstumpy wrote: »

Did you make 3 seperate claims?

I see your point of view, the peril is the same, but they are 3 separate incidents (based on what you've said above).

What preventative measures did you put in place after the first, second and third claim? If none, that's why the insurer won't offer you theft cover!

I think the OP had all three motorbikes stolen at the same time... Hence his/her frustration at them being lodged as three claims.

paddyandstumpy

My bad, just re-read the first post.

Were they insured on 3 separate policies?

GarthThomas

No, all on one "multi-bike" policy, and yes, all taken in the same theft.

Not that this bit makes any difference to the claim, but they were all locked with multiple locks each, each of which was at the higher end of what you can buy for banks.

If industry practice is genuinely to record this as three thefts then that's that, but if there is any discretion allowed, guidelines, or precedent, then I'd like to see if I can ask them to record it as one event and claim.

One broker suggested that I list it as one claim on my application with them, but that seems like over the line for fraud, which rules it out for me both because it's wrong but also because it is the first step to a cancelled policy, with all the trouble that that brings.

Finst

If, as you say, it was all on one policy, then it would seem perfectly reasonable to say that is one claim. If you were hit by a car and claimed for damage to bike, leathers, helmet and personal injury, that would be 1 claim, not 4.


Only your new insurers can tell you for certain though how they will view it. I would try the 1 claim approach but follow up in writing to the insurer to explain the circumstances.

GarthThomas

It's not worth the risk, I think. I'm fortunate to have two nice cars (insured via the same company), and dread to think what they'd cost to insure if I ever had a policy cancelled.

paddyandstumpy

If the broker suggested you do that, ask them to put that request in writing. That protects you (as long as you have the policy they sell you), but it may add hassle/arguments down the line if it's ever challenged at point of claim again.

As suggested ultimately you'll need to approach each insurer and ask them how they'd view it. A Broker will do this work for you.

dacouch

Are you already with a specialist bike Insurer

GarthThomas

I was with Carole Nash (they are the ones that will keep me on, but at a huge price), and have tried Bennetts, who I used for a lot of years in the past.

GarthThomas

I've an update.

I called back to see if they had any room on the price, and had to be forwarded to the new business department, as the policy had lapsed. I went through the whole quote again, and set out the facts of the matter (one event, one night of theft, one call to make the claim), and the new quote came in at half the renewal quote.

I'll find out how to complain to the underwriter to request that the records be updated to reflect this interpretation, but as it's the same company as previously, they'd have a hard job claiming that they were norpt aware of the facts. I've taken out the cover for now, so hope that that's that until next year, when everything is a year older.