I got a mailer from Markel last week to solicit my business. I called and was able to cut my rate (apples to apples) from $375 to $165. Sign me up! Paid in full for the year so I'll see what happens when renewal comes around.

Dale

 

Yup, the savings is great with Markel and no one has beat them on my bike yet.

The bottom line for me is that I check insurance quotes every single year on everything I own, lowest price always wins on my car, truck, boat, bike AND house.
The biggest savings is always my house, I must have switched insurance companies at least 5 maybe more times in the last twelve years and I know I am paying about 500 to 700 less a year if I didnt switch.
Cars I must have switched at least 4 times, bike only maybe 3 times.

Its so easy to do, get out of the forums, open a new web browser and get quotes. Like a quote? Get out your credit card, pay for the insurance then call your current company and tell them to cancel, they will promptly send you a refund check for the time left on the insurance since the cancel date you do NOT have to wait for the renewal date, you can have 3 months left on your policy or 8 months, it doesnt matter.

 

We had Markel for a couple of years and before that we where on progressive. Being from Michigan where we have the most expensive insurance cost in the nation, we are always looking to save money.

We have a gentleman at our local Harley dealer who also owns a Allstate agency and saved us a bunch of money on our motorcycle policy compared to Markel.

We where always loyal to our insurance company, but I have discovered over the years, your are not rewarded for being loyal anymore. All I would here is how they kept raising our rates and we have never had an accident or a ticket in years.

I tell folks now, check with companies each year when your policy is up for renewal and get the one with the best rates, at 63, retired and living on a fixed income, it’s about being value added when it comes to insurance.

I just make sure if it is a smaller company, I do my research into how they pay claims and their customer service. If that is all good, they are given consideration when I need to renew my policy. Just the way it is in a state who has let the insurance companies do what they please and us consumers are paying the price.

 

Just as an FYI, if you have apes on your bike they won’t insure you.

I called to add a 2009 Roadking that has been customized. Wanted to see what rider I could get to cover paint, extra chrome etc. The agent on the phone asked three questions;

1) do you have brake lights (yup)
2) do you have fenders (yup)
3) do you have standard bars (nope) What do you have? 16” ape hangers. Sorry can’t insure you.

Looks like I’m taking my business elsewhere. Time to start searching.

 

I think I was one of the first on here to be singing the praises of Markel, not anymore. First year policy was $180, last year $242, policy coming up for renewal in July, $278. Same coverage from State Farm with the only difference being State Farm has replacement value on comp/collision, not actual cash value like Markel, $201.

Still waiting on an explanation from Markel on how comp/collusion keeps jumping up every year when the bike is a year older and worth less seeing they only pay actual cash value. Got a funny feeling it has something to do with their diminishing deductible...

 

I just recently checked on Insurance ( I do it every spring ) and happened to call Markel ... They were almost $200.00 more than what I'm paying through Dairyland

 

Make sure to check on the policy coverage and benefits available.

If you own a MY2017 or newer (don't have to be the first owner) you can lock in replacement cost for as long as you own the bike. The replacement cost is included on the installed accessories as well. Imagine if your motorcycle never lost value; that is essentially what this policy does. Depreciation is removed from the claim.

I own a 2015 Limited and wrote with American Modern in 2017. As long as I have this policy, if my bike is stolen or destroyed, it will be replaced with a brand new, current year Limited. The only thing I will pay is my $250 deductible, which diminishes 25% each year.

American Modern offers motorcycle policies in most states and we are licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, California, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. Doesn't hurt to compare with your current policy--no other insurance company offers this type of coverage. We will be adding Ohio soon!

Quote Request Starts Here

If you don't live in the (8) appointed states, the quote will be sent directly to a licensed agent in your state. Email me directly (jim@motorcycleagent.com) if you have any questions.

 

You guys have it easy. Try living in northern VA. I have a 97 Heritage Softail, 2008 ZX14, 2012 Ducati Diavel. Great credit, no tickets or accidents. Legally riding since 1983. $1,700+ per year for all $1,000 deduct on collision.
$800 of that $1,700 bill is for uninsured motorist!!!
In VA if you cannot afford insurance you can still register your vehicle. You give them $500 and that allows you to go without insurance!!! These are for people who are judgement proof or can hide assets. Oh, for my pickup uninsured motorist is $90 for the year.
Check all the usual insurance companies and check their ratings on Consumer Reports

 

I'm on my second renewal with Markel and the premium went up again. I looked at their 2018 and 2019 reported revenue and here is what I found. In 2018 they had 6.8 Billion in revenue compared to 9.5 Billion in 2019. That is an increase of 2.7 Billion dollars. I have to ask why did my premium go up $50.00 when I had no claims, no tickets and my bike is another year older. Markel's explanation was they must have had to pay out more in claims in the area I live. I said the 2.7 Billion increase kind of trumps what your telling me. I have since checked with all the major companies with a low of $320.00(State Farm) all the way up to the high $1083.00(Dairyland). Markel is 3rd best at $362.00. Still waiting to see what USAA Progressive comes up with, regular Progressive is $346.00. Kind of hate to go back to Progressive, I dropped them in 2014 for constantly raising my rates. I dropped State Farm in 2001 for poorly handling a claim.

 

I had it for a while...they would not send a renewal notice...but had no problem sending a notice that they canceled my policy...and of course jacked up the price when they reinstated it...

They did that to me twice...didn't give them a chance to do it a third time...