Factory paint jobs, and insurance

[timwilky]

Discussion with mate last night. He is about to take delivery of his brand new CBR1000RR in Repsol colours. As this is a factory paint job he feels he does not need to tell his insurer's as it is a standard option.

Is this the case as I have heard of some insurers charging extra for a bike with a custom paint job. as obviously repair costs are a lot higher?

[ophic]

don't insurers usually ask for the colour as part of the vehicle's spec?

Higher risk of being stolen I'd have thought.

Factory paint sez it all really, only if it has modifications do you need to notify. They can't penalise you for the stock paint job. Even if they get nicked more, which would only bump the model's insurance rate up surely.

Originally Posted by burner

Factory paint sez it all really, only if it has modifications do you need to notify. They can't penalise you for the stock paint job. Even if they get nicked more, which would only bump the model's insurance rate up surely.

That's my understanding as well

Ooooh, lucky bugger, tha dark mettalic blue on those is gorgeous.

We just went thought this when selling one, and I've been through the flip-side of it when getting quotes for my multi-coloured Blade.

With regard to the Repsol, even though it is a special edition it IS considered a manufacturer's standard. This is provable by the fact that you can order the specific parts (fairing, decals etc) from Honda. Therefore you don't need to declare it to any insurance company as an aftermarket paintjob - though some may ask if it is a manufacturer's race replica = which it is.

Under the pillion seat there's a colour code - that is considered as the base colour for the bike. Your V5 will either state this or something like 'Multi'. I think it's blue, but without checking don't quote me on that. (I've got a cold and so am not in work today, therefore can't check myself for you.)
Give that as the base colour of the bike, but to be on the safe side I would mention 'Repsol' anyway, but do stress it is a factory standard job - just a special edition.

You can get a bike insured with the paint work excluded - which is what I've done for the Blade. Basically they will cost it in the event of an accident for repair to standard and I would have to cough up any difference if I want to then re-spray it again.
But this shouldn't be an issue for your mate.

Hope that helps.

[Juju]

Remember, the reason insurers ask in the first place is that you are an individual risk, and if you lowside your bike and expect it to be repainted to your original spec in the first place, which was a more expensive or custom option, don't you think you should have paid for that risk in the first place.

For example, a bike with pearlescent paint will need a complete respray for even the most modest of damage, and insurance standards do state that you are entitled to have your vehicle back to the condition it was prior to the accident/theft.

Bit OT, but I heard a while ago about an insurer refusing to pay out on a bike that had a six inch japanese graphic on the fairing that the owner had stuck on without notifying them of it