Yet another insurance question

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:33 pm

I know that a variety of questions about scooter insurance have been asked, but I don't think this one has:

How much insurance do you carry on your scooter and why?

I have full coverage with a $500 deductible, but I keep hearing scooter friend talk about how low their rates are, some 25% of what I pay, so I'm wondering if I'm just over insured.

I have no tickets or accidents and I don't live in a high crime area.

Howard

Vic · Post by **Vic** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:01 pm

I carry full coverage on my scooters.

I also carry what my agent suggests as appropriate coverage levels for the various individual coverages, these levels are well above the "state minimum" coverage for Ohio. I carry these higher levels because my father (now deceased) was an insurance agent and I remember hearing horror stories about people that were hit by people carrying way less coverage than was sufficient and my dad's clients ended up having to deal with trying to get their injuries and/or property damage paid for (and usually failing because you can't get blood from a stone).

For me, the price difference between full coverage and liability only is not worth the risk and knowing that if something did happen my insurance company is going to take care of it for me is a load off of my mind. Scooters are so easy for some fool to damage or steal, even though I live in a very safe area I travel far and wide and park my scooter in areas that are not so safe sometimes.

Also, things like if I am riding along and an animal appears out of nowhere, or if some fool comes along and causes damage... all of those things can happen in even the lowest crime areas.

Scooters are relatively cheap to insure (compared to a car), I figure might as well go for it.

-v

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:10 am

I carry Liability only (but am forced to carry the same level of un/under insured motorist on all my vehicles).

I think Arizona is an expensive insurance state. I'm with you, Howard. I read the rates people quote and am shocked at how many times more than that I pay.

Maybe it's because they can only ride for half the year!

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:49 pm

Good point, Syd. However, I am mostly comparing my rates to what others here in Tucson are paying. But so far, I keep forgetting to ask them how much insurance they are carrying. That's why I started wondering if I'm the only one with full coverage.

You coming to Tucson next month for the Friki Tiki Rally?

Howard

pimaCanyon · Post by **pimaCanyon** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:51 pm

Howard, how much do you pay?

I live in Tucson, I have a new Sym HD 200 purchased in December 2009, and I have full coverage with a 500 deduct on collision like you. I'm paying about $175 per year.

This is a stand-alone policy, different company from my home owners and auto. That company did not offer motorcycle/scooter insurance so I had to get the scoot covered with by a different company.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:09 pm

I'm paying about $200 a year through Allstate. A friend has American Family but carries only liability but pays about 25% of what I pay. I called and got a quote and it $250/year.
I have no accidents or tickets in the last 20 years, married, homeowner and live in a good neighborhood.

Howard

Queen · Post by **Queen** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:44 pm

When I lived inTucson I had Am Fam but the rates on scooters and MC's were too high, I got a Progressive policy that was half what the Am Fam agent quoted. Might be worth a look?

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:42 am

I'm paying about $85/year for 50/100/50 liability and 50/100/25 un/underinsured through Allstate. I chose them because my agent lives 3 doors down from me.

I didn't get comprehensive because I couldn't afford it until the deductible was 2,500...at that point, there's NO point. Western NC isn't bad on theft as long as you use the appropriate common sense for what part of town (and which town) you're in, so I didn't see the need. I think they wanted something like $500/year if I got full coverage, and it was about the same when I shopped around a little.

I haven't looked at Progressive or Geico, though. Might do that next January when it's time to renew the scooter's policy.

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:25 pm

I bought just enough to cover the basics. I did not get collision coverage but did get theft coverage even though I am in supposedly safe area (someone did try to steal my scoot recently but I believe it was inside job
The reason I got cheap coverage (through Progressive) was because it was October/November with riding season almost over and me not licensed yet and not out on the road riding. I just practice in our development. So it did not make sense to pay for collision when I was mothballing my scooter within weeks of buying insurance and not riding in actual traffic. Now, come March or as soon as my scooter is out of hibernation I will call Progressive and "up" the collision and other coverage. I was short on cash after buying the scooter and gear so every little bit of saving helped. And Progressive said I can "up" the coverage at any time. I wish I can buy coverage this way (3 months off) every year since I am in a state where I don't ride for 3-4 months. But maybe it is cheaper here already because of that?

SFJess · Post by **SFJess** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:30 pm

I've been shopping around for the last week or so.

When I added in collision, it almost doubled the price. I think I'm going to go with liability, uninsured motorist, bodily injury, and comprehensive. One quote I received was $1200 a year! but with Geico it'll be closer to $400.

USAA and Allstate wouldn't even give me a quote since I don't have 3 years of experience.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:37 pm

Zip code and credit rating play a big part besides your age, driving record, what color socks you wear on Mondays....

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:21 pm

DennisD wrote:what color socks you wear on Mondays....

Who knew green wool would come in so handy?

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:48 am

When I moved to TX, Gieco wanted to charge me $2500 per year extra for the "privilege" of riding without a helmet. I told them I didn't want that coverage and that I always wear a helmet. They could not figure it out, so I switched to Progressive. Too bad too. Geico treated me right when the Buddy was stolen. Now I'm back in CA where I belong, I may switch back. Pays to shop around.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 4:34 am

DennisD wrote:Zip code and credit rating play a big part besides your age, driving record, what color socks you wear on Mondays....

Lawyers and Statisticians, the bane of mankind since before Shakespeare.

retrochick · Post by **retrochick** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:18 am

I pay $117 for 15/30/25 coverage. No collision or comprehensive just liability insurance. I might up the 15,000 to 20,000 (individual) just for $68 more.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:31 am

olhogrider wrote:When I moved to TX, Gieco wanted to charge me $2500 per year extra for the "privilege" of riding without a helmet. I told them I didn't want that coverage and that I always wear a helmet. They could not figure it out, so I switched to Progressive. Too bad too. Geico treated me right when the Buddy was stolen. Now I'm back in CA where I belong, I may switch back. Pays to shop around.

Ouch, your Bud was stolen?! I'm glad to hear that you got treated right. I can empathize about the whole stupid insurance company thing. I got hit a while back and the insurance company made it fairly painless. Then the next year they doubled my rate attributing it to a "state-wide" insurance hike and absolutely not in any way related to the hit and run. I called another insurance company and they gave me the same coverage for what I was paying before (less actually). They stepped on their own foot. I might have actually felt bad about leaving them or even stayed if they'd told me outright that the hike was because they had to pay out. But one company raising rates state-wide just because? I can't imagine too many people stayed.

hecubus185 · Post by **hecubus185** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:59 pm

I just got insurance for my new Pamplona 150 through Progressive. Here is my break down:

$25,000 person/$50,000 accident/$10,000 property damage

Pedestrian First Party Benefits: $5,000 ($0 deductible)

Physical Damage Options: Total Loss Coverage

Comprehensive: $250 deductible (Total Loss Coverage)

Collision: $250 deductible (Total Loss Coverage)

Accessory coverage: $3,000 (Included)

Total loss coverage means I get reimbursed for the cost of a new scooter, not the depreciated value of the one being replaced. I decided to get this insurance with low deductibles because I work in a high crime rate (and terrible driver) area. This way I'll pay less when my Pamplona gets stolen, vandalized, or I crash it into something:)

This coverage was $335

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:55 pm

Howardr wrote:I know that a variety of questions about scooter insurance have been asked, but I don't think this one has:
How much insurance do you carry on your scooter and why?
I have full coverage with a $500 deductible, but I keep hearing scooter friend talk about how low their rates are, some 25% of what I pay, so I'm wondering if I'm just over insured.
I have no tickets or accidents and I don't live in a high crime area.
Howard

There is No such thing as 'full coverage' which realistically refers to unlimited coverage under any worst case scenario. If your provider actually said those words to you then I'd suggest looking for a new provider.

How high is your coverage for you being hit by an uninsured/underinsured/hit & run cager?

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 4:56 pm

olhogrider wrote:Gieco wanted to charge me $2500 per year extra for the "privilege" of riding without a helmet.

WTF??

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 5:21 pm

KABarash wrote:
olhogrider wrote:Gieco wanted to charge me $2500 per year extra for the "privilege" of riding without a helmet.
WTF??

In TX you don't have to comply with the mandatory helmet law if you carry the additional personal injury insurance. Gieco couldn't figure out that I did not want that coverage in spite of my phone calls, emails and letters. That's why I switched. A helmet is that "ounce of prevention" vs the insurance "pound of cure". I ride "most of the gear, most of the time".

I really miss the Buddy.

Modern Buddy

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