First real post here, been looking around for a little while. I'll be the proud owner of my first VFR this weekend. I have an 02 Ducati Monster 750 in the garage.
I apologize, I'm sure there are many threads about insurance, but the search function and I aren't co-operating (is there some trick to it??).
I started getting some insurance quotes this week and was a little...shocked. Sure, I should have done this before committing to buy the bike, but I didn't they they'd be that high! I ran into a similar issue insuring the Monster...some companies classified it as a "Sport" and others as a "Standard" bike. This led to a range of $150-$1500/year - full coverage....which is crazy.
Needless to say, I chose the $150 option and was shocked when the same company quoted $1300/yr to cover the VFR. Seriously, it's sporty, but by no means a "High Performance Sport Bike," as they called it. I've checked with several other companies, so far my range is $480-$3200/yr (!!!!).
I know insurance depends on a lot of factors, but the comparison to the Monster shocked me...I just can't figure out how they justify it. Does anyone know of any "VFR friendly" insurance companies, some that would classify it as a Sport Tourer, perhaps?
By the way, my favorite quote of they day.... Dairyland wanted $990/yr to cover both bikes OR $988/yr to cover just the Honda. That's quite a multi-bike discount!
I have GEICO and its only about $46 a month for full coverage on mine. Last year it was much higher as I had a traffic accedent that had not fallen off my record yet.
Different areas and different coverage levels will make prices much different. I went with Progressive, after using Geico for years. Geico was the cheapest for minimal insurance, but when I went to full coverage I found I could get more protection for a bit less than Geico was charging...including medical.
An interesting side note, one company told me Progressive would "bait and switch" me with the policy premium prices...but this was not the case. Even tho they claimed they could check other companies rates, their method of doing so was bad, and if I had trusted them I would have missed out on the savings.
your quotes are pretty typical, most are classifing Vfr with sport premium.
Esurance is what I have now
I walked it down from $1100 (progressive) to $865 $680 to $ 480 per year (geico) . But then Geico started raising the rates, and I switched to esurance on a Huge savings deal. Course not sure how good they are at claims, but I was just looking for the piece of paper for proof of ins. Unlikely I'll file a claim on a motorcycle, never have yet anyway.
I'm afraid to even think about a new bike , no way can I pay $1100 per year again , but $120 on esurance and just renewd my second year a few month back.
I had used Safety Insurance for years and just loved their service, after filing a few claims for accidents both my fault and not.
I am now with Liberty Mutual and I too carry "full coverage", i.e. coverage across the board. What limits are you getting quoted? That will certainly affect your premium quote. I carry 100/300 limits across the board for both my '04 VFR w/ABS and my '02 Pontiac Grand Prix. The VFR also has $8k medical coverage on it.
I pay ~ $2300/year for both, give or take. 30 y.o. w/no incidents currently listed. *knock-on-wood*
Good luck. Pick a company that you feel will treat you right should you have to use the insurance...and pray you never have to...
I hate the insurance biz, rates are all over the map. Take note of Spud's $1100/yr from Progressive. I've got Progressive and I pay $133 a year which is 50/100/25 liability plus comprehensive ($500 deductible), accessory coverage and roadside assistance. Also, my cars are not covered by Progressive, my 2 cars are through USAA which won't insure the VFR because it is considered a 'sport bike.'
I know rates vary by location, amount of coverage, driving history, etc but to me the insurance business is racket. Just for more comparison; I've got a TN policy but live in VA (military), have one speeding ticket (2 years ago in my Jeep) and have never made a claim (knock on wood) with/on the bike.
This probably doesn't help and only frustrates you. All I can say is keep shopping around both for companies and agents, ask a lot of questions and be sure you are getting the coverage you want and not what they want to 'sell' you.
Are you an AMA member? Nationwide offers some type of discount to AMA members, tho I have no idea what. (I'm with Progressive on my VFR.) You might look thru a few bike mags for ads for other insurers.
.......my 2 cars are through USAA which won't insure the VFR because it is considered a 'sport bike.'
:offtopic: USAA covers my VFR, I wonder what the deal is? I was told when I called to get it covered that they weren't covering motorcycle any longer. I told them that I currently had a bike insured with them and they stated that I would be "grandfathered in". So would the VFR be your first bike insured w/USAA?
eSurance offered me a rate that was so low it was almost silly (about half of Progressive). I hope I don't have to test out their service. Either way you should contact them if you are price shopping.
progressive charges me 247 bucks a year for full coverage. What is really strange is I got a discount because my wife has a PhD, and she doesnt even have a motorcycle permit!!!!!
Had to un-ass Geico, because they just suck at service.
[image: View Post]Monk, on Jul 22 2009, 07:18 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Jul 22 2009, 09:50 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Red02VfrTony, on Jul 22 2009, 12:36 AM, said:
:+1: State Farm.... one year $365
State Farm - $38 a month - Phoenix, Arizona - 37 years old.
For what coverage levels?
Liability: Body injury-100,000 each person ; 300,000 each accident
Property: 50,000 each accident
Collision: 500 deductible
I'm with State Farm, too. $368/yr for the VFR. I have two other bikes, a car and a truck, and the house insured with them, and 30 years of good history. Same levels of coverage as Monk, I think.
Here in Florida, the insurance companies have a great racket.... It's called No-Fault Insurance. Supposed to save money! Yeah, okay... I have Progressive, $306 a year for full coverage, but not Personal Injury. That's the No-Fault part that means no on is "at fault" in a wreck for more than $10K medical. So if I want insurance to protect me for more than $10K in personal injuries, my coverage would be 680. If I only wanted liability, it's $104 a year. The only thing that insurance ensures is that we will all be screwed! So, bend over and accept pipe, everyone!
[image: View Post]Jovinski, on Jul 22 2009, 10:45 AM, said:
Here in Florida, the insurance companies have a great racket.... It's called No-Fault Insurance. Supposed to save money! Yeah, okay... I have Progressive, $306 a year for full coverage, but not Personal Injury. That's the No-Fault part that means no on is "at fault" in a wreck for more than $10K medical. So if I want insurance to protect me for more than $10K in personal injuries, my coverage would be 680. If I only wanted liability, it's $104 a year. The only thing that insurance ensures is that we will all be screwed! So, bend over and accept pipe, everyone!
no wonder floridians are always so mad. (at tleat the ones i met near lake okeechobee)
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Jul 22 2009, 10:16 AM, said:
progressive charges me 247 bucks a year for full coverage. What is really strange is I got a discount because my wife has a PhD, and she doesnt even have a motorcycle permit!!!!!
Had to un-ass Geico, because they just suck at service.
Kind of like retail stores, all kinds of sales people, and only one person at the check out......
I got quotes all over the map as well, ranging from ~$300 to over $1500. I actually laughed out loud when the person who quoted $1500 followed up with, "Shall I write this up for you now?"
I ended up going with Progressive. Last year my premium was $312, the renewal was $242, both for a full year. I have full coverage and fairly high liability limits. Here's the specifics of my coverage:
BODILY INJURY & PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY $62.00
BI $250,000 EACH PERSON - $500,000 EACH ACCIDENT
PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY - $100,000 EACH ACCIDENT
UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED MOTORIST $22.00
$25,000 EACH PERSON - $50,000 EACH ACCIDENT
UM PROPERTY DAMAGE $10,000 LESS $250 DEDUCTIBLE $6.00
COMPREHENSIVE $250 DEDUCTIBLE $16.00
COLLISION $1,000 DEDUCTIBLE $136.00
ACCESSORY COVERAGE $3,000 INCL
Well I have progressive, since mine is a 4th gen and I only paid $900 for it I just went with Liability. 37 nothing on my dmv record. $92 year I think when I was playing around with it on line full coverage was still in the 200-300's a year.
Just renewed mine for my '98 VFR with Progressive (I've been with them for a year now). They lowered my premuium a few bucks for being a good driver the past year. It's now $215.00 annually for liability, collission, and comprehensive, and accessories are also covered. It also includes 24/7 roadside service. This is the bargain of the century if you ask me.
I purchased my Progressive policy directly on line. I did not go through a broker/agent.
By the way, I have my homeowners and auto insurance with Liberty Mutual. They wanted around $800.00 to add the VFR, and it would have to be a separate policy. So much for being a loyal customer for many, many years.
I'm with Progressive and live in east Tennessee, about 30 minutes from Deal's Gap. I'm 41 and pay $387 a year for full coverage (Comprehensive and collision w/ 100K/300K limits with medical coverage). State farm was a little more for the same coverage amounts, but they were still under $500 annually... Good luck...
I too am in Greenville, SC and have my insurance with Progressive. Liability and comprehensive only, no collision coverage. I don't remember the specifics of my coverage, but I tend toward high deductibles and the minimum coverage required by the law. I also include towing. 1998 VFR, early 50's, clean record approximately $230 year.
Wow, thanks for the replies, everyone! That's VERY helpful and it's nice not to get busted too much for asking something that's probably been discussed plenty before!
It looks like my low quote isn't too far off from what most are paying. Something I didn't mention, I'm 25...which doesn't help. My auto insurance actually went down about 25% when I turned 25 (I always thought that was a myth!), but apparently moto insurers don't care. I do have a clean driving record, no accidents, good credit, etc...hopefully that helps balance it out.
I've put in calls/emails to a few other places - State Farm, Farm Bureau, Geico - so we'll see what happens. I guess $480 isn't that bad, I've just been spoiled by the Monster's insurance!!
Welcome fellow Greenvillian! I have no idea why you got quoted that high. I pay $572/yr for my 05 VFR with Progressive. Even with a $250 deductable it would've been $890/yr. For reference 29 y/o Male w/ a troubled driving history, but nothing in the past 4 yrs. Had a motorcycle stolen though, and that drove my quote up for this bike b/c I had a claim on my policy. Mine's even high for most people from what I see from the replies.
[image: View Post]rufrydrsc2, on Jul 22 2009, 05:53 PM, said:
Welcome fellow Greenvillian! I have no idea why you got quoted that high. I pay $572/yr for my 05 VFR with Progressive. Even with a $250 deductable it would've been $890/yr. For reference 29 y/o Male w/ a troubled driving history, but nothing in the past 4 yrs. Had a motorcycle stolen though, and that drove my quote up for this bike b/c I had a claim on my policy. Mine's even high for most people from what I see from the replies.
Thanks for the welcome! I don't know why some of these quotes are so high either...I'm convinced some insurance companies just use random number generators to get their quotes...
Once I pick up the VFR I'd definitely be interested in finding some more people in the upstate to ride with!
[image: View Post]RE-Agent, on Jul 22 2009, 09:02 AM, said:
eSurance offered me a rate that was so low it was almost silly (about half of Progressive). I hope I don't have to test out their service. Either way you should contact them if you are price shopping.
I have full coverage, comp collision and liabilty, mainly at minimum levels(no medical). But right now Geico wants $545 for a year and Progressive wants about $700.
Thats why I've been on Esurance the last couple years, same coverege for $120 , I couldnt pass that up
I had to show them proof of ownership of my house to get all the discounts, which was a little bazare
[image: View Post]Monk, on Jul 22 2009, 10:18 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Jul 22 2009, 09:50 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Red02VfrTony, on Jul 22 2009, 12:36 AM, said:
:+1: State Farm.... one year $365
State Farm - $38 a month - Phoenix, Arizona - 37 years old.
For what coverage levels?
Liability: Body injury-100,000 each person ; 300,000 each accident
Property: 50,000 each accident
Collision: 500 deductible
I have the same coverage from state farm + $10,000 medical and mine is $41 a month 34 years old. I just did a claim for the tipover and they paid the next day $1668.69 with $100 deductible comp.
we have three motorcycles(full cov.), three cars(full cov.), a boat(full cov), a trailer(full cov.), and our house with State farm and we pay about $350 a month
I've got Progressive and I pay $133 a year which is 50/100/25 liability plus comprehensive ($500 deductible), accessory coverage and roadside assistance. Also, my cars are not covered by Progressive, my 2 cars are through USAA which won't insure the VFR because it is considered a 'sport bike.'
Similiar here. I have been a USAA member for close to 15 years now. They insure 2 cars & my house, I also do alot of banking with them as well. When I got my bike 3 years ago they told me they no longer take on new policies for motorcycles/ATV's or PWC and referred me to Progressive.
My policy with Progressive is 100K/300K/50K, 3K in accessory coverage, roadside assist, and my deductibles for collision & comp are both at $63 (disappearing deductible) and my yearly rate is $396. When I first took out my policy 3 years ago it was $780/yr. and has dropped significantly since with no changes in coverage.
My question is: If I own a car and a motorcycle (or even if I had more) why should I have to have multiple collision policies when I can only operate 1 at a time? Why not offer a single policy that covers the driver instead of the vehicle? I guess it is just more money in their pockets :blush:
[image: View Post]VFRnGTP, on Jul 21 2009, 10:53 PM, said:
YMMV...but...
I had used Safety Insurance for years and just loved their service, after filing a few claims for accidents both my fault and not.
I am now with Liberty Mutual and I too carry "full coverage", i.e. coverage across the board. What limits are you getting quoted? That will certainly affect your premium quote. I carry 100/300 limits across the board for both my '04 VFR w/ABS and my '02 Pontiac Grand Prix. The VFR also has $8k medical coverage on it.
I pay ~ $2300/year for both, give or take. 30 y.o. w/no incidents currently listed. *knock-on-wood*
Good luck. Pick a company that you feel will treat you right should you have to use the insurance...and pray you never have to...
:beer:
edit: I set my deductible to $500, if that helps.
As a former resident of S.D.,I might recommend you trying Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co. for your car-they are much cheaper than most.I believe you would save hundreds per year.
[image: View Post]brentnclemson, on Jul 21 2009, 10:13 PM, said:
First real post here, been looking around for a little while. I'll be the proud owner of my first VFR this weekend. I have an 02 Ducati Monster 750 in the garage.
I apologize, I'm sure there are many threads about insurance, but the search function and I aren't co-operating (is there some trick to it??).
I started getting some insurance quotes this week and was a little...shocked. Sure, I should have done this before committing to buy the bike, but I didn't they they'd be that high! I ran into a similar issue insuring the Monster...some companies classified it as a "Sport" and others as a "Standard" bike. This led to a range of $150-$1500/year - full coverage....which is crazy.
Needless to say, I chose the $150 option and was shocked when the same company quoted $1300/yr to cover the VFR. Seriously, it's sporty, but by no means a "High Performance Sport Bike," as they called it. I've checked with several other companies, so far my range is $480-$3200/yr (!!!!).
I know insurance depends on a lot of factors, but the comparison to the Monster shocked me...I just can't figure out how they justify it. Does anyone know of any "VFR friendly" insurance companies, some that would classify it as a Sport Tourer, perhaps?
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Jul 22 2009, 01:06 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Jovinski, on Jul 22 2009, 10:45 AM, said:
Here in Florida, the insurance companies have a great racket.... It's called No-Fault Insurance. Supposed to save money! Yeah, okay... I have Progressive, $306 a year for full coverage, but not Personal Injury. That's the No-Fault part that means no on is "at fault" in a wreck for more than $10K medical. So if I want insurance to protect me for more than $10K in personal injuries, my coverage would be 680. If I only wanted liability, it's $104 a year. The only thing that insurance ensures is that we will all be screwed! So, bend over and accept pipe, everyone!
no wonder floridians are always so mad. (at tleat the ones i met near lake okeechobee)
I loved it in Fl. No insurance required, I had 30 bikes in the 25 years I lived there and never had insurance. I allways had 4 bikes at a time, tags were about $20 and no emissions test. captb (stay away from lake redneckokeechobee)
I got State Farm now. Same as Monk. The VFR is $38 a month, and the '89 CB1 is $19 a month. Had the get my other vehicles insurance which over to State Farm before they would do the bikes. When I had the RC51. Allstate wanted $3,500 a year, Progressive was $1,800 a year, Nationwide wouldn't touch it. State Farm was $444 a year. So now everything is with State Farm. :)
[image: View Post]RE-Agent, on Jul 22 2009, 07:02 AM, said:
eSurance offered me a rate that was so low it was almost silly (about half of Progressive). I hope I don't have to test out their service. Either way you should contact them if you are price shopping.
I have eSurance (underwritten by American Modern Insurance) and I had to put in a claim for the bike falling over. They gave me a little run around but did pay out. Their rate was half of what I was paying with Geico. I had a 1000 deductible with Geico and now I have a 250 with the same limits.
I have to add a little to this thread beyond what I pay.
I am with safeco, and have full coverage, on a '06 strom, '06 breva 1100, 98vfr, 650 triumph tiger 1970 and liability on 3 xs650 yammies, a gs 250 suzuki. I pay $890 per year for all.
But I have stated value on the bikes with full coverage, so it pays for an equal replacement bike and all up grades to match the setup on the bike. +3k in accessories (this is gps, gear etc. the non mechanical stuff)
I carry 500000 in liability+ a 1 mil rider on the home owners that kicks in after as liability or uninsured coverage.
now here is something to consider.
if you are carrying low liability ins. your un-insured motorist coverage is the same. so what happens if you get hit by a guy insured at the state minimum of say 25k, or by some one that is uninsured? and racked up 30,000 in medical bills and were off work for six months? YOU ARE SCREWED!!!!!!!
well if you bought the minimum (and thus minimum uninsured coverage) then your first 25k in medical, would get paid from the underinsured guys company or none if he had no ins at all. now if your uninsured had to pay and you only carried 25k, then you would still be out 5k + your lost wages for those six months! If you are permanatly disabled could you make it with no settlement?
if however you were carrying .5mil liability, and were hit by an uninsured, and racked up 50k in medical(and that is pretty easy in a bike wreck) and then were off work for six months (say loosing 30k), you would still be ok, your .5mil uninsured motorist would pay the medical, pay the lost wages, and would settle the P and S.
in the above situation, if you and he both carried the minimum 25k, then his would pay the first 25k, and your uninsured would pay the second 25k....but you still have no income for six months (could you make it?)
now if your liability and thus your un-insured was .5mil, then there would still be money left in your policy to pay your lost wages, and P and S settlement!
I have been on the recieving end of an underinsured driver that had the scum bag company of all time (Progressive), and it took a year and a lawyer and a year to settle the matter(if you were wondering he was riding a bmw k1200gt, and crossed the center line and took me out) he was 100% at fault and was cited for wreckless, no MC license, speeding, at the start all I wanted was my bike and gear paid for and the medical, but progressive were such shit heels I came around to wanting blood, and got it. (they could have settled the whole thing for $18,000. 8k for the bike and gear, and 10k in medical, but in the end it cost them $40,000 after they pissed me off and I had to commit lawyering on them!)
I added this because, buy as much liability as you can afford (and thus uninsured), that will be your saving in a bad accident with a poorly insured, or un insured driver! carry a high limit bike accidents can hurt you a lot more at 35mph than a car crash at 80mph!
[image: View Post]trickster, on Jul 29 2009, 11:14 PM, said:
I have to add a little to this thread beyond what I pay.
I am with safeco, and have full coverage, on a '06 strom, '06 breva 1100, 98vfr, 650 triumph tiger 1970 and liability on 3 xs650 yammies, a gs 250 suzuki. I pay $890 per year for all.
But I have stated value on the bikes with full coverage, so it pays for an equal replacement bike and all up grades to match the setup on the bike. +3k in accessories (this is gps, gear etc. the non mechanical stuff)
I carry 500000 in liability+ a 1 mil rider on the home owners that kicks in after as liability or uninsured coverage.
now here is something to consider.
if you are carrying low liability ins. your un-insured motorist coverage is the same. so what happens if you get hit by a guy insured at the state minimum of say 25k, or by some one that is uninsured? and racked up 30,000 in medical bills and were off work for six months? YOU ARE SCREWED!!!!!!!
well if you bought the minimum (and thus minimum uninsured coverage) then your first 25k in medical, would get paid from the underinsured guys company or none if he had no ins at all. now if your uninsured had to pay and you only carried 25k, then you would still be out 5k + your lost wages for those six months! If you are permanatly disabled could you make it with no settlement?
if however you were carrying .5mil liability, and were hit by an uninsured, and racked up 50k in medical(and that is pretty easy in a bike wreck) and then were off work for six months (say loosing 30k), you would still be ok, your .5mil uninsured motorist would pay the medical, pay the lost wages, and would settle the P and S.
in the above situation, if you and he both carried the minimum 25k, then his would pay the first 25k, and your uninsured would pay the second 25k....but you still have no income for six months (could you make it?)
now if your liability and thus your un-insured was .5mil, then there would still be money left in your policy to pay your lost wages, and P and S settlement!
I have been on the recieving end of an underinsured driver that had the scum bag company of all time (Progressive), and it took a year and a lawyer and a year to settle the matter(if you were wondering he was riding a bmw k1200gt, and crossed the center line and took me out) he was 100% at fault and was cited for wreckless, no MC license, speeding, at the start all I wanted was my bike and gear paid for and the medical, but progressive were such shit heels I came around to wanting blood, and got it. (they could have settled the whole thing for $18,000. 8k for the bike and gear, and 10k in medical, but in the end it cost them $40,000 after they pissed me off and I had to commit lawyering on them!)
I added this because, buy as much liability as you can afford (and thus uninsured), that will be your saving in a bad accident with a poorly insured, or un insured driver! carry a high limit bike accidents can hurt you a lot more at 35mph than a car crash at 80mph!
I have AAA with truck and the VFR I just got my bill for the year and it's 770 for the whole year with Full coverage on both vehicles with a multiple vehicle discount and MSF discount AMA discount. I guess it's a bit high but I live in San Jose ( considered urban) . I think my pickup is less...DOH.
[image: View Post]tincan1200, on Jul 29 2009, 11:22 PM, said:
I have AAA with truck and the VFR I just got my bill for the year and it's 770 for the whole year with Full coverage on both vehicles with a multiple vehicle discount and MSF discount AMA discount. I guess it's a bit high but I live in San Jose ( considered urban) . I think my pickup is less...DOH.
Jim
I'd like to hear the secret to this? I have auto and home with AAA but they wanted $2400/year for my '99 VFR. :blink:
I'll add one more to the State Farm recommendation, my rates and coverage are about the same as Monk posted.
This got me started with getting quotes and I just switched my liability only coverage from USAA ($313 every 6 months) to Comprehensive (no collision - not worth the cost IMO) coverage with a $250 deductible, $3000 accessory coverage (standard for bikes), and maxed out coverages to $323 per year from Progressive. :biggrin:
It's still cheaper to keep the cages covered on USAA but when I looked at my break down my VFR was about 30% of my insurance cost and the cages both have full coverage. :blink:
State Farm here in Kansas 06 F4i=154 a year, 06 1000RR= 252.00 a year, 07 VFR=237.00 a year
that's 250 dedutible comp/collision.
Now, the F4i was 116.00 a year, I just paid the premium and it had gone up to 154. Not sure if that was my 80 in a 65 ticket or my wifes accident a little over a year ago on her motorcycle. She has since quite riding and had her own bike. I asked my agent about making me the only rider on my bikes and they say the only to do that is to divorce the wife. I'll wait and see how it affect my other bikes before I make a rush decision...
I called my Progressive agent yesterday to pay my car insurance by phone. I messed up and gave them my motorcycle policy numbers. The agent said. "no problem, I can pull that up, but before we switch, have you ever completed a motorcycle safety course?"
I said yes.
Agent: "OK, let me process that....ok that take 15 percent of your premium."
I said than you.
Progressive have very good customer service. Thats why I went there. The bonus is that it is cheaper too.