Trike Insurance Notice Beware

[Sprintdad]

Are fellow trikers aware that the Trike Kits such ar Hannigan,Road Smith, Motor Trike etc are considered options through some Insurance companies?
Found out the hard way had an accident on my GL1800 Trike and only had $3,000 option coverage and $6,000 + damage to trike coversion windwings and etc.. Now have to pay the extra cost out of pocket. The insurance did cover the bike damage.
Insurance agent never explained upon purchasing insurance that trike kits are considered options. I have had bike insurance through this agent for many many years for all my previous bikes and am very dissapointed.
Was told that Harley factory trikes are covered because of being factory built.
I have since increased my option coverage.

 

[56Elwood]

I've been a Liberty Mutual customer for over 30 years. Cars, bikes, homeowners and even whole life policies. Went to insure my trike and they wouldn't cover it. I have switched most of my policies to Geico (which covers all of my vehicles now) because they covered the trike. Trike conversion is considered an accessory. Insured the trike and my bike with them with greater coverage for less money than just the bike alone with Liberty Mutual. Service with Geico has been very good too!

 

[mhgoldwing]

Mine is covered as an accessory which, of course, is in addition to the bike's value. If I remember correctly it , trike kit, is valued at $15,000.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

State Farm(Indiana)covered my Hannigan as an accessory. No increase in premium. Was told to take lots of pics and keep all receipts.
Made sure of this by having a conference call w/my agent and the home office of State Farm.
Still can't believe I nearly doubled the value by adding the trike kit w/no increase in premium!!!

 

[Gorilla]

Sorry for your lose sprintdad. Yes it is a common practice to have to cover the conversion as an accessory. If they didn't then you would have to go through the whole hassle of having the now trike re-titled. And in most states that would be a real job if you get it done at all. Most insurance companies make that commendation of accessory coverage.

 

[alienwulf]

I went thru American National Property And Casualty Company. They placed a replacement value of 16k on my 93 FLHS and listed it on the policy as a 93 trike. Was pleased as old insurance gave it a 93 bike 6k replacement with cost of 10k for the kit. I did not like dealing with an accessory value separate and larger than the bike. Plus was more money.

 

[paws]

Got to be sure and read and understand every word in your policy.
We contacted Geico by PHONE, told them about the trikes, said they understood, sent us a bill. We were busy, didn't read the fine print, paid the bill - yep, our BAD! Two years later, invoice came in again, read the fine print THIS TIME and found they had only covered the bike part - no coverage of any kind for the trike except the standard $3,000 for accessories. WHAT A SHOCK! We called them - they had no idea what we were talking about. Glad we didn't need to use the insurance.
We went to Allstate where we had the home and vehicles, little old lady - she couldn't figure out what the hell we were talking about when we talked trike.
Went to another Allstate agent - young guy - he didn't know what a trike was. Made the guy pull up a picture of a Gold Wing trike on his laptop so that he would understand exactly what we were talking about. He called the home office to make sure he understand how to handle trike coverage. Got the bikes and trike accessory coverage nailed down, put everything under an umbrella policy also and we're confident now the trikes (and all) are covered. WHEW - worn out after that exercise! Hate insurance!

 

[Sprintdad]

I was able to increase my accessories/options value to 20000 although to late to avoid out of pocket cost for this accident. Fortunately my wife and I are able to walk away from accident.
I hope no one else assumes their agent is trike knowledgeable about properly insuring their trike and comes up short after an accident. Ask questions and make sure your agent understands what he is insuring.

 

[Papa Zook]

I was able to increase my accessories/options value to 20000 although to late to avoid out of pocket cost for this accident. Fortunately my wife and I are able to walk away from accident.
I hope no one else assumes their agent is trike knowledgeable about properly insuring their trike and comes up short after an accident. Ask questions and make sure your agent understands what he is insuring.

Really sorry to hear that your insurance company isn't covering your loss as you expected, just went through something similar with my insurance company on a flood loss and it is a real reality check. I hope this thread will spur others to check their coverage as you just never know when you may have a claim.

 

[G.W. Viper]

State Farm(Indiana)covered my Hannigan as an accessory. No increase in premium. Was told to take lots of pics and keep all receipts.
Made sure of this by having a conference call w/my agent and the home office of State Farm.
Still can't believe I nearly doubled the value by adding the trike kit w/no increase in premium!!!

I kinda find that hard to believe . I would definitely read all the fine print. If no increase with the kit, good for you !

 

[agetech]

State Farm(Indiana)covered my Hannigan as an accessory. No increase in premium. Was told to take lots of pics and keep all receipts.
Made sure of this by having a conference call w/my agent and the home office of State Farm.
Still can't believe I nearly doubled the value by adding the trike kit w/no increase in premium!!!

My State Farm agent didn't know anything about trike coverage. Called me back the next day after talking to the corporate office. Basically it would be up to me to prove that I had a trike kit and I would also have to prove the value of the kit. I would need an appraisal to prove the true value of the bike and trike. Photos only won't cut it. Going to drop them and go with Progressive or GEICO.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I kinda find that hard to believe . I would definitely read all the fine print. If no increase with the kit, good for you !

My State Farm agent didn't know anything about trike coverage. Called me back the next day after talking to the corporate office. Basically it would be up to me to prove that I had a trike kit and I would also have to prove the value of the kit. I would need an appraisal to prove the true value of the bike and trike. Photos only won't cut it. Going to drop them and go with Progressive or GEICO.

Actually ended up having 3 conference calls w/agent and corp. office.
Explained the 3th time the value of the bike w/the Hannigan conversion and other accessories and said I have trouble understanding no change in premium.
Was told again, take plenty of pics and save all receipts.
Have since sold the trike and am very happy I never had to find out for sure if I had the coverage I wanted!!!!!

 

[consitter]

My Farm Bureau agent didn't even try to shop me when he found out I had a trike. He considered them all kits. Even when I told him it was a factory built Harley he didn't want to be bothered with it.

If I could find comparable insurance on all my cars and home, I'd move everything, but I can't. There are some perks to having insurance through the same company for over 30 years that makes me not want to leave.

 

[mynameisearl]

My Farm Bureau agent didn't even try to shop me when he found out I had a trike. He considered them all kits. Even when I told him it was a factory built Harley he didn't want to be bothered with it.

If I could find comparable insurance on all my cars and home, I'd move everything, but I can't. There are some perks to having insurance through the same company for over 30 years that makes me not want to leave.

Good morning consitter, I have FB also on everything, but my bike and trike with FB. My agent said they did not cover those but did set me up with Foremost. I have had to use them a couple of times and no problems, but not affiliated with FB

 

[1dn5up]

My Farm Bureau agent didn't even try to shop me when he found out I had a trike. He considered them all kits. Even when I told him it was a factory built Harley he didn't want to be bothered with it.

If I could find comparable insurance on all my cars and home, I'd move everything, but I can't. There are some perks to having insurance through the same company for over 30 years that makes me not want to leave.

30 yrs with the same co is a looong time. FB loves you. Do the math as to what you gave them vs what you claimed in 30 yrs. Best part if you were to change co's they would not argue with you due to the odds being against you at this point!!

 

[Mick]

You might want to check with Allstate as Allstate now has trike insurance.

 

[clint44]

We have Progressive on all our vehicles. After Zook did the conversion on our Street Glide,I bumped up our Accessory Coverage from $3K to $20K. Our premium went from $350/yr to around $600/yr.

 

[0pini0nated]

Like many on this thread, when I bought my XL1200 Lehman Raider, my agent didn't even know what a trike was. Then there were a flurry of back-and-forth phone calls and e-mail photos. Long story short, State Farm (in Pennsylvania) agreed to cover it IF it was converted at a dealership (which Lehman trikes were.) He said (in Pennsylvania) State Farm wouldn't cover homemade trike conversions, per their underwriter.

I learned my lesson ~ my next (current) trike was a Freewheeler, with no contentious insurance or warranty concerns.

 

[Sprintdad]

I actually have progressive insurance on my trike who the trike builder here in Pa said is very good to deal with.
My problem was that my agent (like many of you are also stating) was clueless that the MotorTrike kit would be classified as a option and I would need to increase my option coverage. I have increased my option coverage since my accident although to late to help me now.
If they dont understand what they are selling should they be selling it to us?

 

[consitter]

Good morning consitter, I have FB also on everything, but my bike and trike with FB. My agent said they did not cover those but did set me up with Foremost. I have had to use them a couple of times and no problems, but not affiliated with FB

My FB agent could've set me up with dairyland, but he told me they wouldn't insure trikes. I tried to explain, but it fell on deaf ears.

I went down the road to an Allstate agent, who set me up with progressive.

 

[FRR]

Are fellow trikers aware that the Trike Kits such ar Hannigan,Road Smith, Motor Trike etc are considered options through some Insurance companies?
Found out the hard way had an accident on my GL1800 Trike and only had $3,000 option coverage and $6,000 + damage to trike coversion windwings and etc.. Now have to pay the extra cost out of pocket. The insurance did cover the bike damage.
Insurance agent never explained upon purchasing insurance that trike kits are considered options. I have had bike insurance through this agent for many many years for all my previous bikes and am very dissapointed.
Was told that Harley factory trikes are covered because of being factory built.
I have since increased my option coverage.

If it is any help, Progressive charges me $112.00 a year extra to increase my option coverage to $15,000.


I'm surprised you're surprised. Did you think your insurance company was going to insure a, let's say a $28,,000 Wing and then the owner adds a $15,000 trike kit, for the same coverage and premium as when it was 2 wheels? I think the vast majority of Trikers know that they have to ask the right questions and make sure and supply the right information to the insurance company to obtain the correct coverages. The first question with my first conversion with my agent was. "I just added a trike conversion kit on my Wing. How do I make sure the new value is covered.

Insurance companies have no way of knowing what owners are adding to their bikes unless they are notified. They know that a Triglide is manufactured all at the same time, so it is easy to figure a premium for that. Kits have all kind of range of price and are placed on a broad assortment of bikes which all have different values.

 

[Sprintdad]

I specifically told my insurance agent that I had purchased a trike did not have mine converted. My premium for the for my 04 gl trike was significant higher from my previous 03 gl1800.
Whatever the case I just dont want another triker to not ask the correct questions about coverage. Im not posting this for my benefit

 

[clint44]

I think the vast majority of Trikers know that they have to ask the right questions and make sure and supply the right information to the insurance company to obtain the correct coverages. The first question with my first conversion with my agent was. "I just added a trike conversion kit on my Wing. How do I make sure the new value is covered.

Insurance companies have no way of knowing what owners are adding to their bikes unless they are notified. They know that a Triglide is manufactured all at the same time, so it is easy to figure a premium for that. Kits have all kind of range of price and are placed on a broad assortment of bikes which all have different values.

Fred is 100% correct. You just cannot assume your agent understands your needs.

 

[Marc H]

First thanks to Sprintdad for bringing this up.Its good that these things are pointed out every so often so folks new to triking can see it and protect themselves.Sprintdad sorry this has happened to you.Your not the first and unfortunately won't be the last.This info is on here.I've seen it several times over the years probably mentioned in threads discussing financing as much as by itself.I was on here for a year or better before my trike purchase seeing what I needed to watch out for and what to expect and saw this come up a few times so I asked questions about trikes in several places where I got a deer in the headlights look.My insurance guy didn't realize at first but I was watching for anything off in my coverage and when my policy came in I noticed right away I had 3K accessory coverage.I rode the trike to my agents office and said lets look this over again.He got the picture and took a few and upped the coverage.

 

[Jobe05]

I had Gieco for years on both my wings. When I got the trike I called to make sure the Value of the Trike was insured. I was told that my policy covers up to $3K in accessories, and anything other than the GL1800 itself, was considered an accessory. The most I could up my coverage to was $6K in accessories, which more than doubled my premiums. I went to our other insurance guy at Nationwide and was able to cover the "Agreed Value" of the Trike, which ended up being cheaper than Gieco's $6K max accessory policy. The Agreed Value of the trike is in the policy that I received so I know IM covered. I had asked about GAP insurance for the loan amount and with the "Agreed Value" policy, I won't need that. I still need to clarify that my Aspen Camper is covered as well as other accessories like Gear, Helmets, etc... But I feel good knowing that my trike is fully covered!

 

[alienwulf]

I too was with Gieco on my 350z so called to put my trike on it. They did the same to me would only cover the bike part as a bike and the trike as an accessory. At some 50 bucks a month, so got ANPAC for only 251.00 a year switched my auto over also total is 93.00 a month for both. Pays to shop around oh an Gieco wanted the same for the trike as the Z. That was out of line.

 

[3 for 2]

If it is any help, Progressive charges me $112.00 a year extra to increase my option coverage to $15,000.


I'm surprised you're surprised. Did you think your insurance company was going to insure a, let's say a $28,,000 Wing and then the owner adds a $15,000 trike kit, for the same coverage and premium as when it was 2 wheels? I think the vast majority of Trikers know that they have to ask the right questions and make sure and supply the right information to the insurance company to obtain the correct coverages. The first question with my first conversion with my agent was. "I just added a trike conversion kit on my Wing. How do I make sure the new value is covered.

Insurance companies have no way of knowing what owners are adding to their bikes unless they are notified. They know that a Triglide is manufactured all at the same time, so it is easy to figure a premium for that. Kits have all kind of range of price and are placed on a broad assortment of bikes which all have different values.

I have Progressive as well. I called yesterday to be sure I was properly covered. I wasn't. I currently have $3K for optional equipment. So to increase this coverage by $14K (my trike conversion cost $17K) it cost me an additional $196 per year.

 

[prariepilot]

Trike insurance with Rider

I was with Rider Insurance out of New Jersey. They only insure Motorcycles, period. Had a thorough understanding of motorcycles, trikes, accessories, etc. Had no problem insuring with them through three motorcycles, then the TG. Rates were very good, then....

....switched my legal residence from PA to my home in FL, but left the trike registered at my home in PA. Thus, my TG gets ridden year 'round. When renewal time came, Rider would no longer insure me with the TG in PA because I had a FL operator license!

Rider is licensed to insure in a limited number of states; most where bikes get ridden for only a fraction of the year. This lessens their risk exposure. But, it sent me searching for a new insurance company!

Just another pitfall to beware of in the saga of insurance!

 

[FRR]

I have Progressive as well. I called yesterday to be sure I was properly covered. I wasn't. I currently have $3K for optional equipment. So to increase this coverage by $14K (my trike conversion cost $17K) it cost me an additional $196 per year.

Every state sure is different isn't it?