So about a week ago, I low sided on my bike (don’t worry, I’m mostly fine!) and damaged the gas tank, shifter and clutch handle. All in all, I’m looking at roughly $750 in parts, plus whatever in labor.
However, were I to get it fixed through my insurance, I’d only have to pay the $500 deductible, but I’m concerned by how my rates will be affected. Is there any way for me to find out how my rate would be affected, without tipping them off to my accident (in case I decide to fix it myself)? I mean, if I straight up tell them I crashed, is that reason to raise my rates right then and there, or do I have to actually have to put a claim in first?
Edit: Also, is there a time limit on how long I have to file a claim? The accident happened about a week ago now…
Those parts shouldn’t be too difficult to fix yourself. Granted, I haven’t changed a fuel tank; but I’ve taken one off and put it back on once. And I’ve replaced a few clutch handles and a shift lever.
Though I don’t know the answer to your insurance question, I’d suspect that it would be cheaper to buy the parts and replace them yourself. (That must be an expensive tank. Last time I bought a lever it was about $35 or $40.)
If the shift lever is like one I changed before, it just fits over a splined shaft and there’s a single hex bolt to tighten it. The clutch lever shouldn’t be that much more complicated. You might have to fiddle with the cable end a little, but if I can do it anyone can. The gas tank will probably have a single large bolt in front and a couple of smaller ones aft.
This will sound overly paranoid but with insurance how it is lately you can’t be too careful. From a phone with the number blocked call an agent of your current insurance company and ask them this question. If you want to be extra careful use a pay phone.
I don’t know how expensive your insurance is, we pay $240/year for two motorcycles so even if our rates were raised in that situation I can’t imagine it would be much.
This thread prompted me to look over our motorcycle insurance and I see that we declined medical coverage. We have a friend who was in an accident and he maxed out his work insurance in two months. That maximum was two million.
That is a wake up call for me, I think I’m going to get us signed up for medical.
This is only my opinion. My wife works in insurance and my dad has a body shop. If your bill is $750 and you deductible is $500. Skip the insurance and just pay if at all possible.
But be aware, my mom had her insurance increased when she asked about the accident my teenage sister had even though she did not turn any bills in to the insurance. Of course, my mom also got her premiums reduced and the charge refunded when she POLITELY talked to her agent after she found the increase.
I couldn’t believe it either. That’s with $125 deductible for collision and comprehensive. Check out Progressive for motorcycle insurance, they’ve been less than half of what everyone else charges. I heard though that after age 50 they’re more expensive.
