Insurers after bike mods

[fastrider]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if it is a legal requirement to tell the insurers or "Better to tell them", of any mods you have done to the bike, like swapping the front forks from standard to Ohlins and rear shock, swinger etc etc.

Just finished the work on mine, and am not 100 percent sure if I need to, although I suppose common sense dictates that you should tell them.

ta for any info

[D-Rider]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if it is a legal requirement to tell the insurers or "Better to tell them", of any mods you have done to the bike, like swapping the front forks from standard to Ohlins and rear shock, swinger etc etc.

Just finished the work on mine, and am not 100 percent sure if I need to, although I suppose common sense dictates that you should tell them.

ta for any info

They can refuse to pay if you haven't told them about changes .... I'm not saying they will refuse to pay but they may - basically because the bike they believe they've been insuring is not the bike you've been riding.

At my last renewal I sent them a fairly comprehensive list of all the changes I'd made plus those I expected to do within the coming year.
They were happy and my premium didn't change - though I think it might have done had I been a 20 yr old with full nitrous and a turbo.

[HowardQ]

Mine was the same, I just told them what I had done and they said it was OK.
They did ask me if thr cans were legal, and I told them yes as they have the legal baffles in, which they seemed to be happy with.
Still wonder what they would have said if I'd given the other answer
Then again it's not a problem for me as the Beowulf units are very loud with the baffles in.

[TC]

If you failed to tell them of any modifications, they could only refuse to pay out firstly if that clause was included in the small print of the contract (your policy) and they told you about it, and secondly the modification directly attributed to the cause of the crash.

So as an example if you fitted a nitrus kit and you were found to be doing 200 + MPH which was a direct cause of the crash and you had not told them, then they could refuse to pay out providing that is in the small print.

If it was a safety feature such as improved suspension, then unless it was defective or badly fitted, it would be unlikely to contribute to the crash therefore they could not cancel your policy, but worst case scenario they still have to cover you third party.

In the case of a no fault accident, you would claim all your losses off the other side anyway, so although it could take a litte longer if you are covered fully comp to get your costs back, you still would not be out of pocket and the modifications would have no bearing in any case.

[Falco9]

After doing all the mods to my last Falco, I sent a list of what had been done along with some pics to my insurer to make sure I was covered.

In essence they were fine with all the mods, but the insurance cover was still for a std Falco in terms of cover offered.

I have seen some modded bikes that have actually recieved a lower premium as the insurer has taken the view the rider will take more care with it after spending so much

Definately worth telling them about any major mods and send a pic as well, pictures speak volumes and would also help in a valuation should the worst ever happen!

F9

[fastrider]

All,

Thanks for the very helpful info and tips. It has been on the back of my mind last two weeks, although as I stated, its probably a common sense thing to do. Mind now made up and will contact them with full info to hand. Never thought about sending pictures though, not a bad idea that one

Thanks all and hopefully see some of you next weekend at Yaxley (just hope my standard sidestand keeps the bike upright

[D-Rider]

LOL - yes hope to see you at Yaxley. I'll be using my modified GSXR sidestand to keep mine upright .... as informed to my insurance company