Motorcycle insurance for a novice

[ROBT]

Please can you offer any advice on motorcycle insurance to a newcomer.

Recently retired, I've just completed my first restoration on a !970 B44VS. I have owned it since 1975 and I rode it for about 5 years but it has spent the last 37 years in three packing cases. It has turned out rather well and so I'm keen to get riding again.
Any advice on where to go for insurance and what to ask for (i.e. agreed valuation) would be much appreciated.

Rob

[ROYC]

I am with Footman James.
I have agreed value of £18,000, but I had to get it valued at a local motorcycle dealership.
The only question that I was asked  -  How long have you held a motorcycle licence.
Obviously, the higher the value, the higher the premium.

[BILL NELSON]

Hi RobT
Footman James will be at the Open Day this weekend and will be able to offer advice. They have been excellent in supporting Club Members over the years.
Peter James is probably the preference of many of us - very knowledgeable staff, very reliable & more than willing to help awkward cases by direct negotiation with underwriters.
Lynbrook seem to be rising stars with classics, too.
There is a limited number of actual insurance companies, the differences for us are the deals that brokers can do on our behalf. Post code seems to be an influence on different deals.

Some of the things to watch out for with less-favoured brokers:
1. allegedly invalidated insurance if you carry a passenger (pillion cover is a legal requirement)
2. horrendous mix of compulsory and voluntary excesses to get an artificially low premium
3. loss of bike in the event of a claim. In essence, even a minor claim results in a "not economic" repair estimate, they pay you a reduced claim & sell the bike on ebay or through a reclaimer.
good policies allow you to do your own repairs, or get them done yourself, with an Engineer's report for big jobs, perhaps.
4. no cover for riding other bikes - usually "other bikes cover" with better brokers only covers legal minimum 3rd party cover, sometimes also fire & theft whilst in your care.
5. no cover if parked on driveway - even if you're working on it! i.e garage cover only at home.
6. no cover for garaging in anything other than brick or block building, i.e. no timber sheds, no matter how robust.

[bikerbob]

I have been insured now for a number years with Peter James and am really satisfied with the cover and price I have an A65 and an A7 both insured fully comp with agreed valuation legal cover and breakdown cover just paid my annual premium which was £93 for both bikes. I did have to call the breakdown people out about 4 years ago and they arrived in about 30 minutes and sorted everything out very satisfactory.

[ROBT]

I'm very grateful to all.
Armed with your advice I've contacted Footman James and Lynbrook and received favourable quotes from both.

Thanks again,
Rob