bike insurance

[Ronkom]

For general information:
Just went through the exercise of comparing prices for insuring my bikes, all quotes are "apples to apples" (Of course the sales people want to suggest this or that change-anything to muddy the water & make a decision more difficult)
The apples:
 '98EV (liability only), '74Eldo (liability only, antique plates) '09 Piaggio MP3-500 (full coverage-$500.00 deductibles). Bikes kept in a locked garage, low crime area. Most ridden, miles per year the EV, most ridden frequency of rides, the MP3.  Rider age 68, street riding 48 years. No accidents, tickets in the last 5 years. Never had a claim against any of the  motorcycle insurance companies I've used. Rider safety courses beginner & experienced rider, but both over 10 years ago. Coverage I have now is with Allstate, been with them over 5 years.
The quotes, all for a full year, if paid in full at sign-up (no installments):

Allstate, $270.00

Dairyland, $444.20 (reduced to $372.30 after i gave them my SS#)

Geico, $394.60 (gotta pay for all those ads!)

Progressive, $238.00 

The Progressive quote is from the agent who saved me over $1000.00 per year switching from Allstate to Erie for my home & auto, so I'll be signing w/ Progressive for 2015-16

Ronkom 

[RinkRat II]

 :+1 On Progressive! Go through that same process every two years and comes out Progressive every time. 87 K75s,00 V11 sport,03 KLR 650 full coverage,241.00. Fit's in my budget well


     Paul B :BEER:

[handyandy]

We had Progressive for about 3 years. Then they started to crank up our rates. Went with Foremost out of Michigan. Found them in the AARP mag.

[John Ulrich]

I've used Progressive for many years.   For my older cycle & car Hagerty is my choice for "stated value" insurance

[Caffeineo]

Thanks for posting this as it most likely will save me some $$$$$$. I have been with Geico for years and will have to check out Progressive now.  ;-T

[blackcat]

Progressive here and Dairyland sucks.

[ken farr]

Progressive since I had my '02 Stone.

They have been good to me ever since.   Small increase each year, but they still beat everyone else, with good coverage.

kjf

[Kev m]

Had Progressive for the last decade or so. Very happy with rates and, even more, with their service. When I dinged the front wheel on Jenn's Duc they promptly showed up, inspected it and cut a $1200 check on the spot (OEM parts and labor minus only the $100 deductible).

[blackcat]

Progressive service was excellent for me too. Only made one claim in a dozen years and this one was minor, whereas Dairyland was just flat out Shyttie and rude to me on the phone. When my bike was run into while PARKED they decided to cancel the policy because I was a risk. Excuse me, the bike was parked.  Unless they have changed as my insurance agent claims, buyer beware. 

[Lannis]

I've never claimed on my bike insurance in all the years I've been riding, so I don't worry too much about the service levels.  It's sort of like a ticket you have to have punched, like a license plate or inspection sticker.

So far it's been Dairyland and Geico, they go back and forth having the cheapest rates.   

Lannis

[Spuddy]

We had Progressive for about 3 years. Then they started to crank up our rates. Went with Foremost out of Michigan. Found them in the AARP mag.

 

Had Progressive for years and years.  But one irritation was that after 4 bikes they 'had' to write another policy.  It was difficult to keep track of the bills.  So, I checked out Foremost through AARP and got more coverage for a lot less money. 

Never made a claim so I can't attest to the service of either.  But I thought I was 'saving' with Progressive.  Not so.  Get over any 'oldster' hurdle and check out AARP.

Spuddy

[fotoguzzi]

I was more than happy with my Dairyland claim in (2010?) and since have compared and Progressive was not even close but I think I should check around again..

[Lannis]

   

Never made a claim so I can't attest to the service of either.  But I thought I was 'saving' with Progressive.  Not so.  Get over any 'oldster' hurdle and check out AARP.

Spuddy

I did check out AARP and I don't like their politics.   Don't want my "dues" going to the positions they support.   Many others feel the same way, although some folks may like to to support them.

But an antipathy toward "old people" stuff isn't necessarily the reason why a lot of people don't fool with them!!    I use my grocery store "senior discount" every Tuesday and never bat a bleary old eye ....

Lannis

[TDF]

Had progressive for years, but the rates kept creeping up, so checked out Geico, and rates were less than half that of progressive.  So I switched.  I have liabilty only on my bikes.

TDF

[budw]

Progressive here, too. When I went down on a Triumph Sprint ST roughly eight years ago and damaged the fairing, there were no questions asked. They picked up the tab. I do a lot of demo rides because of my job and I'm covered. My agent tells me that wouldn't necessarily be the case with other companies. Very satisfied.

[cloudbase]

I've been with Progressive since '96.  No complaints.

[dilligaf]

I did some similar research about three years ago and switched from Geico to Allstate. Allstate will only put four motorcycles to a policy so two policies.  Not a problem.  I added my son to both policies last year. The cost did not increase. I just have liability on all motorcycles and have never made a claim so I have no idea what service will be like.  :BEER:
Matt

[Luap McKeever]

I do not want to hijack this thread, but here is what happened to me.  I used Progressive for EVERYTHING and for many years.  Cars, house, bikes, you name it.

Well, last March I get a letter from them saying that they could no longer insure my 7 year old home since it appraised for more than I had coverage on it.  I tried to get that changed to no avail. They couldn't believe I could rebuild for cheaper than the appraisal. I was so disgusted by this I pulled the plug on all my insurance.  And I am glad I did.  I found out about USAA. They are for Veterans and their families ONLY.  I got a quote and couldn't believe the differences.  I basically got twice the coverage's I had before for the exact same cost of Progressive.  Their website is easy to use, they have so much to offer it's almost ridiculous.  YMMV of course, but I'm liking them a lot.

Only downside I have found with the bike policies through USAA is they actually use underwriters, and I think they might have underwritten with Progressive afterall. That's fine, as long as I can call one place to get all of my stuff handled.

Ironically, In May of 2014 after switching to USAA, I receive a call from Progressive apologizing.  The loss of coverage on my house was due to a system error and they would love to have me back. "Sorry Charlie.  I'm good."

I guess the bottom line is, if you're a veteran, you owe it to yourself to call USAA and at least get a quote.  Tell them I sent you :-).

[brenwin]

I suppose you hear this often when it comes to us Canucks getting gouged all the way to the bank . BC , and I think Alberta have the best rates in the country .
If your in Ontario or Quebec and a new rider it's more expensive than a lot of peoples mortgage payment per month .
For the 012 Stelvio its around $100.00 a month . We do get a break on collector bikes and with a seniors discount am insured until the end of October for $146.00 .
It's a monopoly here in BC (stands for " Bring Cash ") and it stinks . ICBC is raking in the cash big time .

[dilligaf]

Laurp,
Same here.  Switched my home and two rentals to USAA and now have all three covered for what State Farm was charging me for one.  Cars are also with USAA but motorcycles are with Allstate.  :BEER:
Matt

[travelingbyguzzi]

I have been very happy with Progressive. After an accident in '04, where Gail got a significant burn on her leg, they cut her a check for 25K, no questions asked.
I only keep libility on the bikes, less than $300 per year total. They will never recoup their money.

Bill Lovelady       IS
Eskimo Spy

[goozy]

Government enforced robbery in Ontario.  :+=copcar I'm taking my Grisso off of the road this year and I'm just gonna ride our Honda CBR250. Considering that we can only ride 8 months of the year at best the prices for insurance are terrible!

[kckershovel]

Had a very low Insurance from esurance backed by Allstate however they just dropped me because I changed cars to often last year.

Trans went out on 700 dollar f150 sold it for 700 and replaced with 88 chevy truck. Had an olds 98 and traded it for a suzuki gs1000, got 2 flat tires on the 88 chevy truck and was done with it so I sold it and paid past due bills. Bought 1K dollar mercedes 190e still driving the 190e. That did not seem like too much to me but to esurance it was. Now I need new insurance by April 1st. I had used State Farm for years and was happy with them but when I got married they canceled me because the wife had a driving while suspended from 5 years ago.

I really hate insurance. If you didn't get your licence pulled for not having it (that's how my wife lost her licence 5 years ago) I wouldn't carry it and would just deal with the consequences if I ever had a problem. What a racket.   

[racasey]

I really hate insurance. If you didn't get your licence pulled for not having it (that's how my wife lost her licence 5 years ago) I wouldn't carry it and would just deal with the consequences if I ever had a problem. What a racket.   

Move to Washington state and only ride motorcycles:  no insurance required on two wheelers!  Cars, yep, 4 wheels - coverage is mandatory.

Ciao,
Dick

[kckershovel]

To bad Washington is not ideal for year round riding. Not that Indiana is either.

[Asylum]

If your in Ontario or Quebec and a new rider it's more expensive than a lot of peoples mortgage payment per month .

Living in Quebec at the moment. I can tell you I am surprised that it only costs me $300 for the year, that's for a '14 Griso and I'm still holding my learners permit.

[kckershovel]

   Hmm so I just had a thought. IF you lived in Washington and rode without insurance when traveling to another state could that pose any problems? I suppose the visitor state would have to honor the Washington law? Maybe I should just carry a Washington licence. After travel expenses and the trouble of getting a utility bill in my name I think it would be a brake even on 4 years of minimum coverage insurance for me here. O well on to the next money saving idea.

[charlie b]

FWIW, USAA does not cover motorcycles.  They direct you to Progressive and it is completely separate policy from my USAA car policy.  Not a 'one phone call' or 'one payment' kind of thing.

USAA is a good deal and they do well on the business side.  But, they do well because they boot out people who have too much in claims or are the least bit risky, like motorcycles.  We could not get house insurance from them due to fine danger out here in the southwest (not being inside city limits).  Daughter was booted from their homeowners policy because they were broken into twice in 3 years.

Have had USAA car insurance for 40 years now.  Several claims, ups and downs with rates.  They just don't do bikes anymore.

If you choose your company based on politics do some background on Progressive.

[Spuddy]

Let's see.  Progressive is pushing that "snap shot" thing, and advocating black boxes in autos?  So if you are operating outside supposed "safe" parameters coverage and insurer liability can be denied?  Ahh, great safety PR with a positive bottom line outcome.   Next, they'll be giving radar/laser units to state and local law enforcement.

Spuddy

[brenwin]

Living in Quebec at the moment. I can tell you I am surprised that it only costs me $300 for the year, that's for a '14 Griso and I'm still holding my learners permit.

Wow ,thought Quebec was like poor Ontario . Wrong on that count . Amazing that Ontario wants your first born and yet cheap in Quebec . Thanks for the info , I might move ! I see "goozy" who just posted on this thread took his Griso off insurance in Ontario . Bad news !