"Replacement" Parts

[Ceri JC]

I know a lot of people replace stock components with other, non-stock, but sometimes perfectly legal ones be it to trick up a bike, or to genuinely replace worn or broken parts.

Now, my understanding is that you're meant to report all modifications to your bike to your insurer, even if they're not performance enhancing- mine said they'd "make a note on my file" because I was considering getting a centrestand and to let them know if I did!

I'm not really asking from a "getting away with it" POV (most people seem to just do it and put the bike "back to stock" for MOT, etc.), but one of genuine interest in the legal/correct thing to do:

So, do you have to declare "replacement" parts for stock parts that are not official suzuki replacements to your insurer/do they have any legal right to increase your existing insurance if you do?

Examples:
Headlight bulbs,
Braided Hoses,
Indicators,
Exhausts,
Screens,
Lens covers.
Likewise, respraying in a fairly near colour to the original (e.g., something that could also be described as "red", even if not an exact colour match)

All the above could (and do) break/need replacing in the course of day to day use of a bike.

I mean, (car) garages use non-stock bits all the time- I had a new non-Peugeout exhaust put on my car the other day as the old one had broken. Surely as it's a road legal replacement, it consitutes a repair and not an "upgrade" as such? Same with a chipped windscreen being replaced...

Taking it further: chains, oil and air filters, etc. all need replacing and most times are replaced for reasons of wear and tear, as opposed to "tricking up" a bike- would the same apply to 3rd party ones of those?!

[Silver Dream]

Interesting post, I have been thinking along the same line recently, about to trick my std (silver is the best) SVS up with new under tray, lower fairings DB screen and remus can I guess not tell the insurer will result in no payout should an unfortunate happen. Any one got any experienc or advice??

[SteveR]

Talk to your insurer - there is no stock answer.

I had one car insurer who wanted to know about every non-standard part - they quoted the non-OEM exhaust as an example that they did want to know about.
They even wanted to know about different wheels - even if they were OEM on a different version of the same model !

Most insurers will probably get fed up quickly and tell you not to bother them with trivial details. If they don't then I'd change insurers

[Ceri JC]

Most insurers will probably get fed up quickly and tell you not to bother them with trivial details. If they don't then I'd change insurers

That's the thing- it seems a real pain to mention every little thing. I'm generally pretty law abiding and have no problem with telling them about a new can or if I modified the bike etc., but it seems a pain to have to notify them when you put crash bungs, a fender extender, etc. on...

[Warren]

hmmm interesting.

im sure they only want to know - because its an excuse for them to make more money.

i havent told them about my things - eg double bubble - as there is no performance gain - and also most of the time - its cheaper for them to replace non stock items - but hey. who knows - if you wanna be on the safe side - tell em EVERYTHING. but i recon most of it is down to common sense

[Ceri JC]

hmmm interesting.

im sure they only want to know - because its an excuse for them to make more money.

i havent told them about my things - eg double bubble - as there is no performance gain - and also most of the time - its cheaper for them to replace non stock items - but hey. who knows - if you wanna be on the safe side - tell em EVERYTHING. but i recon most of it is down to common sense

Yes, realistically, you only really have a moral obligation for something that would make a bike:
More crashable (causes loss of control or an increase in performance)
More nickable
Make it do more damage/more likely to do damage in the event of a crash- carbon tanks, etc.

All the above would affect payouts. I think a lot of the "profiling" type things, eg he has crash bungs, therefore he is more likely to ride like a lunatic and crash it, are actually more like: He is prepared to spend a bit more cash on aftermarket parts. Therefore, we can get a bit more money out of him.

In all seriousness, I wonder if they could ever void a claim on the grounds you had, say, an undeclared fender extender on. Provided it's not fitted poorly so as to wear the tyre, I would say it: Makes the bike less nickable (it's hardly like a carbon hugger, is it?) and also makes the bike a fractionally safer insurance risk (less likely to break down due to water/stones hitting engine/radiator). Of course, I doubt they'd see it that way :)

[Warren]

but then again - on the otherside of the arguement - you could say "i fitted crash bungs not because i ride like a loon on speed - but because i care about my bike and i know if i do have an accident - you tightfisted b*****ds are likely to put me at a loss" :)

[Ceri JC]

but then again - on the otherside of the arguement - you could say "i fitted crash bungs not because i ride like a loon on speed - but because i care about my bike and i know if i do have an accident - you tightfisted b*****ds are likely to put me at a loss" :)

He he, that's my thinking exactly! :)

[454697819]

Your best bet is to call them, and check with them every thing you want to put on it!

If there is any thing they say no too, dont put it on,

When you have finished, complete the list of modifications and upgrades and total a price or extras you want insured, or ignore the value!
its only really worth getting them to insure things like exhausts as they are expensive, screens and paint i ignore!

Then with the list, wright a letter informing them of the changes, enclose a picture as well, this way they have everything,

and you have done youe part of th insuracne contract, they might charge an admin fee to add them to ur policy, (cia do) but that should be the end of it,

The law actually states that no non e marked item should be fitted to a motor vehicle! yep this means break leves the lot - so technically a non e marked lever is as illegal (almost) as a race exhaust - go figure!!!

The above is what i will be sdoing with my bike in jan! as cia charge 20 squid for every time i add things to my bike, so i will be adding them all at once to save a few bob!

Hope this helps

Alex

[Nick762]

...because I was considering getting a centrestand...


Zounds!!!

I didn't even think about my centrestand as being a notifiable mod... :oops:

Well, if anyone asks, it was there when I bought the bike and I didn't know any different...