I posted a question on an internet forum and was surprised that I got answers like, ‘Why would you tell your insurance company’ and ’They’ll never know’, and so it seems some riders don’t reveal these details to their insurers.
These days most insurance companies ask us to list all non-standard modifications when applying for a quote for motorcycle insurance, so it seems to me that not providing a full answer to this question is asking for trouble.
I don’t want to miss out on a payout for me or someone I injure of possibly several thousand pounds following an accident or theft because I’ve been less than truthful in order to save a few quid.
Flashing an ECU is a modification that can directly affect the performance of a motorcycle, like aftermarket exhaust pipes, and the interest of insurance companies is understandable, but there are many other modifications such as heated grips and top boxes, etc., that are more related to comfort and convenience.
What are the possible repercussions for omitting any of these items?
Answer
I appreciate I may sound like a boring old solicitor. However, you are meant to go with ‘clean hands’ to your insurer and you are right to be cautious of anyone on the internet who tells you otherwise (everyone is an ‘expert’ nowadays!).
There are several repercussions potentially. I will give you an extreme example. Your top box falls off as you have not secured it properly and causes a serious accident on a motorway, i.e. a car swerves, crashes and the occupants suffer serious injury.
You have insurance so legally your insurer has to pay out money to those who have suffered a loss because of your negligence. However, because you did not declare the top box, your insurer could look to you to recover the money they had to pay out. I had a case where something similar happened and the chap’s insurer were chasing him for £130k. Not good.
Another example is maybe you fall off and your motorbike is a write-off. If the insurance company finds out you have given incorrect information, i.e. you had the ECU flashed and not told them, it could be classed as a breach of the contract terms. This could result in the policy being terminated and you do not get paid out for your trashed bike despite paying for fully comprehensive insurance.
I appreciate the above may all be doom and gloom and seem unlikely things. However, it does happen, and insurance companies do not like paying out money. As such, my advice is declare everything.
Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast
More Bikes – March 2024
