RH Insurance BE CAREFUL!

Simon Dinsdale

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I'm with RH at the moment, I've specifically asked about cover for non runners and they've always said they are covered, I think I'll ask for this in writing now. When I spoke to Hagerty about 18 months ago they would only cover for a low annual mileage so I couldn't use them.
When I insured with Hagerty yesterday there was a mixture of non runner bikes and road legal bikes and they put them all on one policy. You don't set a total policy mileage, rather they ask what mileage allowance you want for each bike. So if you have a favorite you can load it with a higher mileage allowance. That ranged from zero (for non runners) and upwards.
 

roy the mechanic

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Do you know what they're like with specials and non-standard bikes ? for example a Norvin.
My norvin did not create any problems even though it's not registered, it was done on the chassis number. Plus it is covered to and from the shows and also covered in the fire-up paddock at no extra charge.
 

ClassicBiker

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Hagerty has an excellent reputation here. They cover not only classic bikes and cars, but also classic boats and travel trailers. They also sponsor programs here to get people interested in classics. They also finance the purchase of classic vehicles. I think I'm right in saying that everyone in our section has their Vincents covered by Hagerty. I've been with them for years. I've got two Vincents, two Triumphs, a Moto Guzzi, and a MG B GT all covered for $904 a year. I know one of members has a large number of bikes covered by them all in storage as he really doesn't ride, just like to restore them.
Their HQ is about four hours up the road in Traverse City. When ever I've had to call them or spoken to them at shows, they've been very polite, professional, and helpful.
Steven
 

Sakura

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Here in the UK Hagerty seem to require an MoT, even if the bike does not need it by law. Their reply on the subject was a bit ambiguous, saying they follow Government requirements but an MoT ensures the bike is in good condition. Not sure what would happen if you had an acccident and didn't have an MoT certificate!
 

Simon Dinsdale

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Here in the UK Hagerty seem to require an MoT, even if the bike does not need it by law. Their reply on the subject was a bit ambiguous, saying they follow Government requirements but an MoT ensures the bike is in good condition. Not sure what would happen if you had an acccident and didn't have an MoT certificate!
Just looked at the Hagerty policy document and it states:
"You must take reasonable steps to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition and ensure you have a current and valid MOT certificate or any other documentation required under current legislation."

So as current UK legislation (law) states anything manufactured prior to 1960 doesn't need an MOT then you don't need one which is exactly what Hagerty said when I asked before going with them. You must keep the bike roadworthy though.
 

Normski

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Non-VOC Member
Am I the only one with "our" Carole ?.
I know she has made her money and gone, But I thought they did a good deal.
Hope I never have to Claim !.
For many years I had my box of bits Comet, Full Comp', Same as the other Road Bikes, All I gave them was the Engine number !, Then one day a bright spark thought , That's not a reg', And I had to change it for fire and theft. I don't like change. Cheers Bill.
I used to alternate between Carole Nash and Footman James, each would give you a better deal as a 'fresh' customer after a year away than they give to an existing customer- that seems to be very common in the insurance industry. My main reason for going to RH was they treated the Egli as a marque in its own right whereas the others treated it as a special and loaded the premium a lot. I usually try at least one other at renewal time but haven't yet found anything better.
 

Bill Thomas

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I used to alternate between Carole Nash and Footman James, each would give you a better deal as a 'fresh' customer after a year away than they give to an existing customer- that seems to be very common in the insurance industry. My main reason for going to RH was they treated the Egli as a marque in its own right whereas the others treated it as a special and loaded the premium a lot. I usually try at least one other at renewal time but haven't yet found anything better.
Any chance of a photo, No two Egli's seem to be the same, I thought of building a C/Maylem type years ago, But went with a "D" top frame, For cheap and easy. Cheers Bill.
 

vibrac

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Just looked at the Hagerty policy document and it states:
"You must take reasonable steps to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition and ensure you have a current and valid MOT certificate or any other documentation required under current legislation."

So as current UK legislation (law) states anything manufactured prior to 1960 doesn't need an MOT then you don't need one which is exactly what Hagerty said when I asked before going with them. You must keep the bike roadworthy though.
Which brings me back to my suggestion for a bike you have just rebuilt or use lot keep historic status say it's not been substantially modified and get an MOT don't sink the ship for a hapoth of tar nobody will argue with that and you keep the historic tag with no risk.
 

Pete Appleton

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So as current UK legislation (law) states anything manufactured prior to 1960 doesn't need an MOT then you don't need one which is exactly what Hagerty said when I asked before going with them. You must keep the bike roadworthy though.

As Simon says... Roadworthy.

I always like to ask myself "what questions are you likely to be asked if it all ends up in an expensive smoking heap somewhere?" and "Do I have an answer that I would be happy to give in court?"

Q1. What steps did you take to ensure that your bike was roadworthy?.
Q2. If you decided not to have it MOT'd why not? What other arrangements did you make?

If your answer to question 1 is not "I had it MOT'd" then you should have an answer other than " well, nothing really" or " My bikes are always ok"

Similarly, the answer to question 2 should not be "Too expensive" or "Couldn't be bothered"

If you choose not to have an MOT and came up with another solution then you should document the steps that you have taken and think of some other questions...

A. What qualified either you or your chosen maintainer / inspector to carry out this work.
B. What did you check and when?
C. To what standards did you inspect?

The answer to 'A' could be "years of experience" or something similar. If you don't really know what you are doing then be honest with yourself and ask someone who does.

For 'B' then you could do worse than printing out the current MOT check list that testers use. You can download it from DVSA HERE . Print it out, fill it in and date it at least once a year for any bikes that you are using.

The standards are all in the MOT inspection manual which is available HERE. Far better to read it and know the answers rather than rely on what your mate down the pub said. Incidentally, it is changing in May so I had better get reading.

I make my living out of MOT tests but am very aware that the MOT is a bare minimum. A properly carried out maintenance scheme is always far better, provided that it actually gets done.
 

vibrac

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VOC Member
Looks like an opening for an historic vehicle check at a reasonable price something the fhbc should promote with a string of experts and enterprises. as I said apart from my oldest standard wood block braked Douglas and gas light jobs any thing I use a lot will get an MOT but I will get it done before he starts the computer I don't want a fail and I can arrive without a booking because it's legal now to do so.
 
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