[K Kid]

Just talking to today bout insurance.
Friend said he happened to mention to guy when paying that he had
put a switch on the fan instead of waiting ofr stat to cut in.
Guy said - glad you told us - if bike went on fire we wouldn't have paid out.

This turned up on UK Blackbird site as well. One insurance co said that the
tank protector is a modification.
So be careful in case of the worst. Also if insurance deem tyres not suitable
they may disown you.

Maybe Linda could seek clarification while on the other quest.

[FJReally]

thing is once you mention to them that you have any mods done
they just seem to go to town on ya
i made the mistake of saying as an off the cuff remark
that i had changed the suspension to a better one and
that was it the lad went into 4rsehole mode

they wanted a full written list of mods done to the bike
who had done them, where, when and why

so, if anyone here is driving a black over bronze FJ1200 92
good luck with that, lol

[Linda]

The whole modification issue is ridiculous. The Insurance companies say to MAG substantial mods, then you go and tell them and they act light changing your light bulbs is a substantial mod.

You are required to inform your insurers if you modify/change a component that COULD alter the power output or handling of the bike. But because the customer service person normally doesn't know about bikes they take everything into consideration.

We'll try and get a definitive list and get it up on the website. But don't be surprised if the person on the end of the phone still doesn't know.

[Empty One]

Hi Linda, do you contact the insurance companies individually, or go through the IIF?

[fittylmk]

the fazer is fairly modified i told them about most but not all because of a fear they would try price me out of a insurance quote

[junker87g]

Insurance companies not knowing what they're doing? I'm calling shenanigans

[Linda]

Empty One, on 03 February 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

Hi Linda, do you contact the insurance companies individually, or go through the IIF?

We normally go direct to the companies but we have had support from IIF in the past and would happily go to them again. Having a one to one relationship with the companies is important especially if we're dealing with an individual complaint.

[Larry]

junker87g, on 03 February 2012 - 01:51 PM, said:

Insurance companies not knowing what they're doing? I'm calling shenanigans

I will 2nd your decree of shenanigans.

[pugwash]

Apologies for hijacking the thread, maybe someone could help me out / advise me here...

I have a custom chopper & in order to insure it as road legal I have to submit an engineers report known as a 'Certificate Of Conformity'

Anyone know where I could get this done in the 26 counties ?

Any advice would be appreciated

[Linda]

pugwash, on 03 February 2012 - 04:26 PM, said:

Apologies for hijacking the thread, maybe someone could help me out / advise me here...

I have a custom chopper & in order to insure it as road legal I have to submit an engineers report known as a 'Certificate Of Conformity'

Anyone know where I could get this done in the 26 counties ?

Any advice would be appreciated

Most bike shops should be able to provide you with one, it's basically an engineers report that your bike is roadworthy. Who built your chopper? If it is a company they should be able to provide one or you could try old school in Cork.

[valkeire]

I think you are mixing up 2 different things. An Engineers report is a document by a suitably qualified person to state that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. As Linda mentioned, you can get one of these from a Motorcycle dealer or a motor vehicle assessor.

The "Certificate of Conformity" is a certificate in a certain format from the manufacturer of the vehicle to state that the vehicle conforms to the relevant EU regulations for Emissions/Lighting/Construction etc. and is obligatory to register a vehicle in the EU.

This must come from the manufacturer of the vehicle, and is based on the build file of the vehicle.

It's only necessary if registering a vehicle for the first time in Ireland.

Valkeire

[pugwash]

@ Linda / Valkeire, appreciate the advice, thanks

[valkeire]

When it come to modifications and how it affects insuranceon bikes (or cars), usually people home in on mods that change the poweroutput. The Ins co. will argue that you have changed the risk insured and couldrefuse cover in the event of a problem.

But, I have also heard it argued that adding expensive accessories,while not adding power, can increase the “stealibility” of the bike, and indoing so equally changes the risk insured.

So, in the event of a court case, we would be relying onwhat the judge thinks is fair and reasonable. For example, the value differencebetween a new pair of Marchesini wheels or a Baglux tank cover.

It could be for the “Man on the Clapham Omnibus “to decide!

Good point raised above about the change to the fan wiringon the Blackbird. But this would only come into play in the event of the bikegoing on fire, with that particular wiring being blamed on causing the fire.

While the exact causeof the fire can be argued, the Ins co can argue that x number of Blackbirdswere made and did not go on fire, but this one with customer modified wiring did.

However, it puts a doubt in the mind of a judge, and it’spossible to lose a case. Nowadays, Ins co’s are very suspicious of any vehiclefires, as more and more people need the money or can’t afford the payments! I’veheard it said that 2 or 3% of all cars will go on fire, bikes are probably thesame. But that’s separate from those that are deliberately torched.

I’ve been involved in a few vehicle fire investigations in aprevious life, and came across some very dodgy claims.



Valkeire

[Twinkle toes]

Larry, on 03 February 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

I will 2nd your decree of shenanigans.

Motion passed.
Next item on the adgenda.

[Larry]

Twinkle toes, on 05 February 2012 - 07:06 PM, said:

Motion passed.
Next item on the adgenda.

[Empty One]

Linda, on 03 February 2012 - 02:28 PM, said:

We normally go direct to the companies but we have had support from IIF in the past and would happily go to them again. Having a one to one relationship with the companies is important especially if we're dealing with an individual complaint.

I see your point. I have found that dealing with asssociations is a good way of building a case, individual members can find it more difficult to object if the general concensus is in a particular direction.
However it sounds like MAG is on top of this, keep up the good work.