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How to make sure your motorbike is correctly insured

Photo credit: ZA Bikers

Owning a motorbike is a pleasure. Making sure it’s correctly insured is a bit trickier. When it comes to two wheels, not all brokers and insurers are created equal.

We asked Craig Langton, owner of Fire it Up! motorcycles, and six-time SA Superbike champion Clint Seller, who heads up the King Price xtreme riders, for their top tips on making sure your pride and joy is properly covered.

Photo credit: Bjorn Moreira / ZA Bikers

“Firstly, and as a golden rule, ensure that your broker and insurer specialises in motorcycles. I always know when a customer has chosen an insurer that doesn’t know bikes when the agent calls me and says: ‘A Honda CBR1000, what vehicle is that? I can’t find it in the book’,” says Langton.

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Here are some points to keep in mind when insuring your wheels:

Photo credit: ZA Bikers

Be a stickler for detail

Always ensure that the description of your motorcycle is 100% accurate. For example, a 2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure must be described exactly like that, and not simply 2018 BMW R 1200 GS. This will make a big difference when you claim, says Langton. Also, ensure that the year of manufacture and year of registration is correctly noted.

Photo credit: ZA Bikers

Get the value right

It’s critical that your motorcycle is insured for the correct value. If you buy a motorcycle for R100 000, the trade value is R70 000 and retail is R80 000. In a total loss situation, the insurer will typically pay R75 000. “If you’re paying over ‘book value’, it is important that your insurer covers the purchase price and not ‘book value’ or you will be left out of pocket,” says Langton.

Photo credit: ZA Bikers

Seller says policies based on a motorbike’s retail value generally undervalue the bike. King Price allows its clients to insure their motorbikes for an agreed value, which includes its accessories, and which doesn’t depreciate. This means that your bike is always insured for what it’s worth.

Cover your kit and extras

Ensure that all your extras, including your riding kit, are noted, as these are normally covered as part of the policy. King Price allows comprehensively insured bikers to insure their motorbike gear – including helmets, boots, jackets and other riding gear, which are often worth tens of thousands of rand – for an extra R1 per month.

Photo credit: Bjorn Moreira / ZA Bikers

Mind the gap

If there is a total loss situation, do you have enough cover in place after excesses to replace the motorcycle? If the motorcycle is financed, make sure you add on cover for the shortfall, which closes the financial gap between what you still owe the bank and what the motorbike is worth in the event that it’s stolen, hijacked or written off.

Photo credit: Bjorn Moreira / ZA Bikers

Careful with those excesses

The excess is the first amount payable in the event of any claim. Generally, a higher excess means a lower premium. But be careful: make sure you can afford to pay the excess in the event of any loss. “Always settle on an excess that is in line with your financial circumstances and riding style,” says Langton.

Photo credit: ZA Bikers

Check the fine print

Some repairers may insist on painting or refurbishing damaged parts: make sure you are comfortable with this, and discuss it with your broker or insurer. It’s also worth checking what extra benefits your insurer offers. King Price even covers accidental damage that occurs at track school, provided the visit to the track school is pre-approved, as well as damage that happens while an insured motorbike is being on or off-loaded, or is in transit.

Photo credit: Bjorn Moreira / ZA Bikers

For more on King Price motorbike insurance, click here

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Compiled by the ZA Bikers / ZA Lifestyle team.
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