Recommendations on motorcycle insurance.

[f6john]

I’ve been off the road so long, I’m finding coverage much higher than I remember, what isn’t! I had Dairyland/Sentry insurance the last time I had coverage and that was because my car and homeowners company didn’t offer motorcycle no coverage. Right now I’m looking at $332 annually for full coverage and a $500 deductible. That’s a little more than I used to pay for a full year. Anybody doing better?

[Serk]

It's VERY difficult to compare prices on insurance from person to person, it varies so much on your state, city, type of bike, your age, driving record, etc....

I will say though, after Kali's wreck at IZ last summer, Progressive went WAY above and beyond and took very good care of me...

[f6john]

It's VERY difficult to compare prices on insurance from person to person, it varies so much on your state, city, type of bike, your age, driving record, etc....

I will say though, after Kali's wreck at IZ last summer, Progressive went WAY above and beyond and took very good care of me...

Do you have other coverage with them or just motorcycle? Farm Bureau who has covered everything for me for the last 40 years only recently started offering motorcycle coverage. They have treated me well in the past too. I don’t know if should even expect a better deal to be available.

[Rams]

I use Progressive and include tow in.   Have no idea what it costs but, I can say this, when I crashed my other Valkyrie, it was fully covered with no questions asked.

Rams

[..]

No questio, Markel.

I use the AMA for roadside and towing etc.

Make a spreadsheet and make some calls. Keep the spread sheet until it's time to renew and shop again.

[valkmc]

It's VERY difficult to compare prices on insurance from person to person, it varies so much on your state, city, type of bike, your age, driving record, etc....

I will say though, after Kali's wreck at IZ last summer, Progressive went WAY above and beyond and took very good care of me...

I agree on Progressive when you need them. Ran plum over a full size pallet going 70mph on the interstate with my F6B. Progressive stepped up, I was 500 miles from home. Got my tow truck, rental car all with in a couple of hours. Had a dark side tire on and the adjuster talked to me by phone. He told me progressive doesn't care what type of tire you have as long as it is DOT approved. He actually felt bad he couldn't give me another one to put on. They issued a check and there was no new final drive to be found anywhere(cracked mine open). Gave me two options I could go with a chrome one. No black ones available or I could get my own. I found one from a fellow on the F6B forum. Charged me a couple of hundred, new one was a lot more. Progressive didn't care. I paid the $200 and believe me the one the were going to ship from Japan in about 6 months cost a whole lot more. When I picked up the bike the dealership handed me an $800 check. Didn't want to owe progressive money, I called and they said we are all good if you are. Be careful on that bike. All took place 5 years ago and the bike is still fine and so is the final drive.

[Serk]

It's VERY difficult to compare prices on insurance from person to person, it varies so much on your state, city, type of bike, your age, driving record, etc....

I will say though, after Kali's wreck at IZ last summer, Progressive went WAY above and beyond and took very good care of me...

Do you have other coverage with them or just motorcycle? Farm Bureau who has covered everything for me for the last 40 years only recently started offering motorcycle coverage. They have treated me well in the past too. I don’t know if should even expect a better deal to be available.

Only the bikes are with Progressive, everything else is with USAA.

Had a dark side tire on and the adjuster talked to me by phone. He told me progressive doesn't care what type of tire you have as long as it is DOT approved.

Many years ago during the Darkside wars on this very forum, someone claimed insurance wouldn't cover if you had a Darkside, so I took the step up contacting Progressive.

To my surprise the VP head of recreational vehicles for Progressive called me personally to discuss it. He said the very idea that the bike wouldn't be covered because it had a non-MC DOT approved tire on it was one of the most absurd things he'd ever heard of. He even pointed out some bikes (Boss Hoss) used to come with OEM car tires on 'em, assured me there'd be no issues whatsoever.

And the Standard Kali went down on had a Darkside tire. The adjuster never said a word about it.

[Wizzard]

I have always had progressive. Had a breakdown once and they took care of me 100% so I stick with them.

[Jess from VA]

As Serk pointed out, the variables State to State (state laws and insurance commissions) are so many that advice beyond your border may not be very helpful.

In shopping around, you might try a local insurance agent, and you might call your other primary insurer and ask their advice, or look for some in-state bike forums.

I use Geico because my primary won't cover bikes.  And they are reasonable (though I've never had one bike claim in over 50 years) (and if you haven't either, consider a bigger deductible).  I've only ever carried low liability and uninsured motorists (so I am essentially self insured for damage or theft or fire or any roadside assistance of my bikes, but none of that has ever happened).  And the greatest liability risk to motorcycles is the passenger, and I never have one.  Also, assuming you are riding a Valk, ask what they are valuing yours at, and if it is stupidly high, try to go with a declared value (they are selling for cheap these days).  Now I dislike insurance and insurance companies, and have a stingy attitude and can live with my decisions (but many like the comfort of full coverage).  

Also, remember to get (or ask) for multiple breaks for your age (not the bike's), touring bikes (all Valks), MC Safety Foundation course completion (and of course a good driving record).

Trying to start from scratch with someone new seems likely to start high.

And please join me in a boycott of Liberty Mutual.  I have no idea of the quality or costs of their service, but they deserve full boycott for the 87 million TV commercials we are all subjected to (daily).    

[cookiedough]

My 2 suggestions to call for sure is Progressive which I have on all 5 cycles (2 are kids) and Allstate being 2nd cheapest with best coverages.  For me, Progressive is dirt cheap the MORE cycles you have it seems the cheaper the insurance gets none are over 100 bucks per full year premium.  When my kid had his newer yamaha fjr1300 though was over double in price around 180 per year since from what I gather with Progressive older cycles are much cheaper to insure vs. 10 years or newer cycles. 

If you go too old with Progressive say buying a 1980's cycle (kid did that 3x's now), Progressive, at least in WI, will go to a SET amount paid out say for example 1500 or 2K bucks tops in limits being paid out, depending on cycle.  You can ask for higher being paid out say 3K for a 1500 cycle, I doubt Progressive agent you call will care much and doubt the rate goes up much either never tried it always went about 500 more than the old 1980's cycle were worth in reality if sold outright. 

Sounds like Serk and others have been treated more than fair on their claim with Progressive.  My luck they will come back with me say if I total the VAlk I/S valued at say 5K and Progressive ONLY offer 3K for agreed upon cash value.  not sure????  I would think I can negotiate 'agreed upon cash value' somewhat closer to that 5K going for price now on lower mileage VAlk I/S's???


It does vary state to state for sure so check around at least 5-6 insurance companies you never know who may be better?

[old2soon]

      Been with Shelter Ins. since I'm thinkin 1998. Being as the cage(s) were already with Shelter my agent gave me a decent price. $500.00 deductible No M/C Towing-I Am an A M A Member-and they Do cover farkles and last year was a bit South of $200.00. I keep Phatt Ghurl insured year round. And having the ins. coverage year round saves some money over semi annual or just havin ins. in Good Ridin months. Should the garage git demolished Phatt Ghurl be covered-ins. wise!  RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

I think I have 250 deductibles not 500 but IMO would never go 1K deductible to pay first on say a 2-5K cycle is all. 

depends on co, but with Progressive saves just a tad to go on their winter layaway program for us northerners say Dec. 1st thru April 1st since in storage 100% of the time.  You can call co early say mid March and want to go riding taking cycle up back to full coverage, but is something to ask when calling around.

I never understood Progressive though rate structure, my 2003 burgmann 650cc scooter is around 85 per year while my 2001 VAlk I/S 1520cc is only around 78 bucks per year full coverage.  The VAlk is about worth 2 grand more than the scooter retail but somehow scooters cost more and less than half the cc's. 

[h13man]

Got a speeding ticket driving the car during my Progressive stint. They really enjoyed raising my rates. My agent got me on Allstate with the same coverage that was cheaper than my original rate with Progressive full coverage on the Valk plus the 1600 Vulcan.

[f6john]

I checked with progressive and they were about the same as my current company so I will just stay where I’m at at least for the first year and then check again.

I was running down I75 Sunday doing 85 and I see a KSP patrol car in the rear view mirror. I eased off the gas and moved over to the center lane, still doing 80 and he rolled on by, whew, I count myself lucky on that one.

[cookiedough]

I checked with progressive and they were about the same as my current company so I will just stay where I’m at at least for the first year and then check again.

I was running down I75 Sunday doing 85 and I see a KSP patrol car in the rear view mirror. I eased off the gas and moved over to the center lane, still doing 80 and he rolled on by, whew, I count myself lucky on that one.

give Allstate a call next never know.   Each state and even within a state is different worth a call.

[da prez]

  State Farm gave me better coverage and a better rate than progressive or gieco.  I will check rates as they will come due in a month.

                                                    da prez

[Louis]

Any insurance companies for the conservative crowd? Most are arms of the left.

[3fan4life]

Mine are insured with Dairyland.

I got better coverage for less $$$ than my previous insurer.

Also Dairyland gives a significant discount if you let them auto bill.

[vanavyman]

We just recently changed motorcycle insurance from Geico to Progressive after 30 years with Geico.  They were about 20% less and I'm carrying $7500 worth of accessories on each of my 3 bikes.

For car insurance it has been harder to get away from GEICO.  They will cover my 8.5'x24' car hauler trailer with nothing but 3 rows of eTrack in the deck and white walls and roof as a regular trailer for around $120 a year.  I've called 3 other companies including Progressive and each want to cover it as an RV for approx $600 a year so I'm still with GEICO.

[cookiedough]

We just recently changed motorcycle insurance from Geico to Progressive after 30 years with Geico.  They were about 20% less and I'm carrying $7500 worth of accessories on each of my 3 bikes.

For car insurance it has been harder to get away from GEICO.  They will cover my 8.5'x24' car hauler trailer with nothing but 3 rows of eTrack in the deck and white walls and roof as a regular trailer for around $120 a year.  I've called 3 other companies including Progressive and each want to cover it as an RV for approx $600 a year so I'm still with GEICO.

do you need to insure your car hauler in  your state?  Do you regularly use your car hauler to haul vehicles or use it more than say 3-6x's per year?  In my state no need to insure my 7x23' enclosed trailer, open flat bed 7x8' trailer, or ATV.

[vanavyman]

We just recently changed motorcycle insurance from Geico to Progressive after 30 years with Geico.  They were about 20% less and I'm carrying $7500 worth of accessories on each of my 3 bikes.

For car insurance it has been harder to get away from GEICO.  They will cover my 8.5'x24' car hauler trailer with nothing but 3 rows of eTrack in the deck and white walls and roof as a regular trailer for around $120 a year.  I've called 3 other companies including Progressive and each want to cover it as an RV for approx $600 a year so I'm still with GEICO.

do you need to insure your car hauler in  your state?  Do you regularly use your car hauler to haul vehicles or use it more than say 3-6x's per year?  In my state no need to insure my 7x23' enclosed trailer, open flat bed 7x8' trailer, or ATV.

That is a pretty good question.  Insurance company told me I needed it.  I did not research it.  But will look into it.  Progressive is cheaper coverage if not for that issue on covering my trailer.  Thanks.

[3fan4life]

We just recently changed motorcycle insurance from Geico to Progressive after 30 years with Geico.  They were about 20% less and I'm carrying $7500 worth of accessories on each of my 3 bikes.

For car insurance it has been harder to get away from GEICO.  They will cover my 8.5'x24' car hauler trailer with nothing but 3 rows of eTrack in the deck and white walls and roof as a regular trailer for around $120 a year.  I've called 3 other companies including Progressive and each want to cover it as an RV for approx $600 a year so I'm still with GEICO.

They don't insure motorcycles, but USAA has the best Auto rates hands down.

[cookiedough]

We just recently changed motorcycle insurance from Geico to Progressive after 30 years with Geico.  They were about 20% less and I'm carrying $7500 worth of accessories on each of my 3 bikes.

For car insurance it has been harder to get away from GEICO.  They will cover my 8.5'x24' car hauler trailer with nothing but 3 rows of eTrack in the deck and white walls and roof as a regular trailer for around $120 a year.  I've called 3 other companies including Progressive and each want to cover it as an RV for approx $600 a year so I'm still with GEICO.

They don't insure motorcycles, but USAA has the best Auto rates hands down.

am sure USAA does have very good rates, for military members only though.  I think long ago when my Dad was still alive being in the Korean War,  I tried getting USAA insurance living of course not with him but on my own and they said I am not able to go with USAA.    Great benefit for military members/families, but only if served in the military.  That Rob Gronkowski USAA commercial is always on TV and even pretty boy Gronk is not 'special'...... 

[Pappy!]

We just recently changed motorcycle insurance from Geico to Progressive after 30 years with Geico.  They were about 20% less and I'm carrying $7500 worth of accessories on each of my 3 bikes.

For car insurance it has been harder to get away from GEICO.  They will cover my 8.5'x24' car hauler trailer with nothing but 3 rows of eTrack in the deck and white walls and roof as a regular trailer for around $120 a year.  I've called 3 other companies including Progressive and each want to cover it as an RV for approx $600 a year so I'm still with GEICO.

That is strange because I had USAA twice now and I was able to get it because my Step-dad was in the Navy. Nobody else in my family was. I can get it again if I want to



They don't insure motorcycles, but USAA has the best Auto rates hands down.

am sure USAA does have very good rates, for military members only though.  I think long ago when my Dad was still alive being in the Korean War,  I tried getting USAA insurance living of course not with him but on my own and they said I am not able to go with USAA.    Great benefit for military members/families, but only if served in the military.  That Rob Gronkowski USAA commercial is always on TV and even pretty boy Gronk is not 'special'......