[Richard230]

Apparently Progressive Insurance seems to think that my 2011 Bullet is more dangerous to the public than my 2009 BMW F650GS.  I just received my insurance premium for both bikes today and my liability-only policy for the Bullet is almost 50% more than the same insurance is for my BMW.  Could it be the name? 

[Bmadd34]

Interesting....

[Bert Remington]

Electronics: ABS, flashers, TPC, anti-theft alarm (w/GPS?).  And probably demographics.

[Richard230]

Electronics: ABS, flashers, TPC, anti-theft alarm (w/GPS?).  And probably demographics.

Nothing like that on my BMW. Not even ABS, as I special-ordered the bike in 2008 without that option.

[tjupille]

Quite possibly a simple reflection of the fact that Bullets are relatively rare in the US. If the insurance company doesn't have much of a track record for a bike, they will revert to the "worst case" assumption.
I used to run into this with getting business insurance. We were in the business of training analytical chemists; most insurance companies didn't know how to classify us, so charged us as a "laboratory" (very expen$ive). We finally found a broker who took the time and trouble to understand what we did, and the rates were much more reasonable.

[Bert Remington]

You got me curious so I looked at my USAA policy (like you basically Liability):

2016 500cc 2V 19hp 400lb RE Classic 500 w/GPS tracker $181.71
2012 1200cc 8V 100hp 600lb MG Norge w/ABS, GPS tracker $152.59

Bodily Injury and Property Damage: $72.67 vs $86.10

The big difference was Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury: $79.21 vs $46.59

The curious difference was Uninsured Motorists Property Damage: $19.02 vs $11.19

So the answer appears we ain't a danger to other drivers but they are a danger to us.  So check your medical and life insurance and keep your trust and will current.

[beagle]

Over here is oz, when I was looking at buying a classic, I did some due diligence on the cost of owning it.  As it cost bugga all to buy second hand, I initially asked for a third party cover only, which covers everything except the bike, and was quoted around  AU $250. I then asked how much for full comprehensive cover and they said AU$ 251. She told me they rarely have a claim on them and nobody would steal one anyway...lol... obviously I went with the full cover.

[9fingers]

I live in CONSTANT fear that someone will steal me Classic Chrome becuase it is RARE and because it LOOKS expensive. The guys that delivered it from Oklahoma to NJ told me they thought it was a $20k bike.
9fingers

[ROVERMAN]

When i traded my 27hp Bullet in for a 75hp Aprillia Shiver 750 my insurance went up a paltry $18! What!

[Stanley]

Basic liability from USAA on my Bullet is $124. My bike is like Earth in the Hitchhiker's Guide. "Mostly harmless."
Little do they realize the danger of RH shift!

[hpwaco]

Shop around.   Basic minimum required liability (including mandatory PASSENGER liability) on my 14 gt here in central Texas costs me $107 a year from Dairyland.   AARP's  insurance wanted $250 for same coverage.  I've seen complaints on the forum about just about ievery major insurance company.   It's a crap shoot!   Insurance is about profit not protection.   Pricing also depends on zip code!   

[Warwick]

That's why I originally bought a iron belly bullet back in 2007 because they are easy to replace. I am not concerned about leaving it in a shopping centre or pub car park. I couldn't do that with an old BSA or Norton single. The easy availability of spares, a low price and the fact they are new were also factors.
I just wish they could get classic rego.
cheers and beers
Warwick

[GlennF]

I've seen complaints on the forum about just about ievery major insurance company.   It's a crap shoot!   Insurance is about profit not protection.   Pricing also depends on zip code!   

I knocked off the first couple of years of a law degree a few years back before giving it up as too much like hard work. (Actually the degree was easy enough it was dealing with the bureaucratic cr@p that has taken over modern universities that got too much)

One of our lecturers has spent his early career negotiating/litigating insurance companies. He said unless its an open and shut case were they have no choice but to to pay expect problems and always enter negotiations sounding like you were expecting it to go to litigation and already had a case prepared.  Apparently if the assessors feel you are not likely to go to court they invariably make an initial offer that is well below what you should be receiving and refuse to budge.