ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: blake on March 26, 2012, 07:39:38 AM
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hey everyone. My black Zero S-ZF9 is now at my local dealer but I can't seem to get insurance. I have 20+ years of clean driving/riding record (23 bikes since I was 18 - I'm now 49). But most insurance companies (including the 2 I usually deal with) turned me down flat saying they would not insure this bike. The only quote I could get was from Facility for $3,500 a year!! You can imagine my shock, as I was expecting something more like $500 (what it costs around here to insure a 250cc IC bike). Yeah I know... don't get me started on Canadian insurance rates... javascript:void(0);
I told the dealer I won't be able to go through with the sale until I can find a more reasonable rate.
Anyone out there had this experience or have suggestions?
blake
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Amazing. I have Progressive and they just added it to my policy the day I bought it. I traded a bike in and so called Progressive to substitute the 2011 S for the previous bike. There was no premium change. I pay $128 a year total premium (minimum liability as required by Texas state law) for all 3 bikes...a 2010 Vespa GTS 300 ie, and a 2012 Ninja 250, plus the Zero. The first bike is $112 a year and adding additional bikes only adds $8 a year to the premium. I guess the figure I can only ride one bike at at time. Something is weird with your rates. They may just not have the Zero on their approved list or something. I would call Zero. Progressive had my vin no, so that identified it, although they did ask about cubic centimeters. LOL. Anyway, I hope you get it straightened out. I haven't heard of anyone else having trouble in the US.
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Welcome to Canada, we have a messed up insurance system (some government run, some privatized, it varies province-to-province).
Which province are you in? Manitoba? Primmum/TD/Meloche-Monnex will insure it in Ontario.
The Director of Sales for Zero Canada was recently working with the Insurance Bureau of Canada to get the new bikes in the database. Maybe the companies you contacted will insure them after that?
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When I added my 2012 Zero S to my Progressive Insurance policy, which currently has 7 motorcycles on it (plus I get just about every discount that they offer), they charged me $32 for a year's worth of $250/$500K liability insurance (I am "self-insured" for collision, theft, comprehensive and uninsured motorist insurance). The Electric Motorsport GPR-S, which is also on my policy, has a premium of only $21 a year.
It does sound like they just don't want your business. I agree, something is not right in Canada. :o
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If all else fails, I would take the $3500 they wanted to charge me for insurance and build a really good e-bike..48 volts/ 1000 watts. That would make a great commuter too plus you could just take it inside to recharge for the return trip from work. Doctorbass would have some great ideas there. Of course it's not legal to have that fast a bike and call it an e-bike cause it's actually a motorcycle, but chances are good you can get by with it, even in Canada. No insurance, license, or registration needed for a legal e-bike anyway. In the US the legal limits are usually 20 mph/36volts/750watts. I have an Amped bike that is legal...well almost, it does go like 25 mph, but close enough. I ride it all over town and love it. Rode it out to lunch today. Afterall, a Zero is just a big e-bike anyway. I suspect several members of this forum are e-bike riders as well and got interested in the Zero from their e-bike experience.
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You could make something like this: http://www.jruiter.com/entry/moto-undone/ (http://www.jruiter.com/entry/moto-undone/) :o
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Thanks everyone for your input. The dealer tells me that Zero Canada rep is entering the bike's info into the insurance database and I should check with my insurance broker once this has been completed. I'm a bit nervous about what the final amount will be, and hugely jealous of how inexpensive insurance is in the US. I would have thought that it's so litigious down there that the rates would have been pushed up quite high by now. But $8 for a second or third bike would be unheard of here.
Anyway, I'll let you know how this pans out. Ideally I'd have some resolution in time to take advantage of the $500 purchase incentive from Zero...
blake
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good news: I found a Canadian insurer who would give me coverage for a 2012 S (but apparently only because they had some data showing it was available in 2010 and there was some track record, it seems...). Anyway, at $405/yr it's more than what an equivalent CBR250 would cost to insure with them ($276/yr) but less than other quote(s) (e.g. $3,500/yr from Facility, the only other company that would insure this bike - all 5 others refused)
Anyway, what matters is that I pick up the bike tomorrow. So despite my misgivings that the CBR250 would be a more "sensible" bike for an occasional non-commuting rider like me, I've taken the plunge to the get the more exciting (and to me more compelling) Zero S-ZF9. As an environmentalist very much in the public eye, I guess I kind of had to :-)
Will let you know what I think once I have a few kilometres under my belt...
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Blake,
If you don't mind telling which company did you get insurance with?
I'm currently having problems getting my XU registered with the MTO in Ontario...
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Just called State Farm to get mine added. We'll see what happens.
UPDATE: Won't get a quote until Monday, but agent was tickled that this will apparently be the first Zero that State Farm will insure :)
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Good luck! We should get a definitive list going for companies in the various provinces that will insure them.
So far all I know of is the TD Group (Primmum/Meloche-Monnex)...
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I would be worried if the insurance agent was tickled about selling me a policy. I think you guys in Canada are getting screwed. I only have the least liability required by Texas law on my 3 bikes, but it costs me $176 a year for a 2010 Vespa GTS 300, a 2011 Zero S and a 2012 Ninja 650 with Progressive. The cost of any one bike would be $160 and they add $8 for each additional bike. The assumption is you can only ride one bike at a time.
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Blake,
If you don't mind telling which company did you get insurance with?
I'm currently having problems getting my XU registered with the MTO in Ontario...
Hi. I obtained coverage through TD Insurance. I got the impression from their initial questioning that they only take people who've graduated from or are employed at certain participating universities.
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I would be worried if the insurance agent was tickled about selling me a policy. I think you guys in Canada are getting screwed. I only have the least liability required by Texas law on my 3 bikes, but it costs me $176 a year for a 2010 Vespa GTS 300, a 2011 Zero S and a 2012 Ninja 650 with Progressive. The cost of any one bike would be $160 and they add $8 for each additional bike. The assumption is you can only ride one bike at a time.
Somehow it's always been WAY more expensive to insure here than in the US. I've heard stories like yours for decades. I can't imagine it's only because the market's smaller here. Less competition maybe? I have no idea.
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I would be worried if the insurance agent was tickled about selling me a policy.
I already have two cars with them, and had a bike before. They give me good rates, so I'm not too worried. I don't expect liability to be that bad, even though I can't do minimum liability limits due to also having a PLUP. (If it is bad, I'll tell them equivalent displacement is about a 250cc :) ). It's the collision/comp that I don't know about.
Regardless, I agree; at those rates Canadians are getting screwed compared with what I'm paying here in Texas.
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Regardless, I agree; at those rates Canadians are getting screwed compared with what I'm paying here in Texas.
We've been getting screwed for years and it won't stop now...
So far the count is 2 for TD Group insurance, no idea for the other insurers...
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Just called State Farm to get mine added. We'll see what happens.
UPDATE: Won't get a quote until Monday, but agent was tickled that this will apparently be the first Zero that State Farm will insure :)
Hi Clic. I also have State Farm. Called them Friday. Poor lady wanted to know how many CC's it had. :D She also seemed confused by the VIN, wasn't in her system. She called back later and asked for how many horsepower it had. Did you get that question?
Let us know how the quote went please.
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ColoPaul, my agent (or, more correctly, her office staffer) knew it was electric when she called back, so she must've done some research on her own. She also knew it was the first one any of their policyholders had tried to insure. Guess you're the second :)
They sent me a temporary insurance card, but I still haven't received a quote or bill.
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i'll get a call tomorrow from my insurance for a quote.. i'll post the price and details if i have time
It's from AXA insurances.
What i dont like is that they said a motorcycle is not in the same category as for a car so i can not have any rebate if i already have two car insured with them.... :-\
Doc
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Got my insurance today. State Farm:
Liability 250/500/100 & Comp $500 Deductible $37.23 annually
Can't beat that! My MagnaV65 was $53.90 annually for liability only.
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For the large contingent of motorcycle riders in the UK, bike insurance offers crucial cost protection for both the equipment and the rider. Riders who race motorbikes, or who ride a bike for transportation, need to protect the investment in their bike, while also having access to affordable health costs if injury occurs from an accident. While there are many customized coverage options available to bike riders, three particular covers are important to riders.
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TD would not insure my XU they said it was on their Un-insurable list, Royal Bank wouldn't insure me even though they are my insurance company. They require I had two years of bike insurance in the last 6 years but i haven't had a bike for 10 years. Even though I had my Bike licence and a good record for 30 years. Found these guys Eisenhauer Insurance Inc. they worked out good Rate was 220.00 PLPD, no collusion.
Jerry in Nova Scotia
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I think everyone should ask for no collusion when shopping around for an insurance provider.
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TD would not insure my XU they said it was on their Un-insurable list, Royal Bank wouldn't insure me even though they are my insurance company. They require I had two years of bike insurance in the last 6 years but i haven't had a bike for 10 years. Even though I had my Bike licence and a good record for 30 years. Found these guys Eisenhauer Insurance Inc. they worked out good Rate was 220.00 PLPD, no collusion.
Jerry in Nova Scotia
Just for comparison/information, TD/Meloche Monnex in Ontario will insure Zero's. Sounds like province-to-province the insurable list might vary.
EDIT: looks like I've said that one before, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record...
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I am in Alberta and I had no issues with TD insurance.
My memory say it was under $500 but I not sure.
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I am with the Personal in Ontario, Canada.
It's a company closely affiliated with DesJardins in Quebec.
They would not insure me, as I have an M2 license (motorcycle learner). But I have been driving for 30+ years, and I have a transport and commercial bus license.
They relented when I told them my wife has an M license.
$261/yr with collision and PLPD.
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I just added my 2012 XU with Progressive in Las Vegas. It added $351 per year to my existing policy.
With people from all over the world driving here, insurance is pretty high.
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Paying about $200/yr for full coverage, $500 deductible on my '12 9 DS with Farm Family in NH. Age 58, single, clean record.
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I have 3 motorcycles I have full coverage no uninsured I pay $239.20 per year. I have a 2009xb12x Ulysses$78.50,a2008DRZ400SM $63.00 and a 2012 zero ds9 $122.70. Safeco Insurance. I get $25 discount for paying in full. Plus I have roadside.
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OLD THREAD - I know - But didn't want to start a new one.
Just got my 2015 SR a couple of weeks ago. My current insurance company (Drive Insurance) wanted $600/yr for comprehensive/collision/liability (minimum levels), with $1,000 deductible.
So I checked around:
Progressive was higher - ruled that one out
Geico had the nerve to quote me $2,200/yr
Safeco - $232/yr
So, I switched both of my bikes over to Safeco - now I'm paying $290/yr for two bikes ('07 Vectrix and 2015 Zero).
Had to share :-)
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My recent experience, insurance for EVs seems to be all over the place:
Our everything insurance is with Nationwide, so naturally I got their quote first (dialing the national number) and it was a huge pain, they didn't have Brammo in the system and basically had no clue. Ended up asking me what the MSRP was (tricky question for the bike for a variety of reasons). Called around and quoted out a few websites (Geico and Formost were ridiculous) and Progressive was the best rate at $700 full coverage ($500 collision, $1,000 comp). Then today I get a call from our local Nationwide agent. Basically he told me I should never call the National number, they don't have access to the resources he has (or the incentive to build our business I'm sure). Anyway, he quotes me $260 ($500 deductible for comp and collision). I do a happy dance and sign up before he changes his mind.