Mpowers,
Welcome! I'm relatively new here too. I'm headed out to pick up my C14 ABS tomorrow. I'm so excited I can't sleep.
I've got a deep, dark secret, I am an "insurance guy." Not your local agent either I actually work for a Cincinnati, OH based company, yup the "evil empire" itself.
Here's the scoop on motorcycle insurance: You've got to decide what's most important to you, price or speciality coverage. They sometimes go together, but not always.
If you choose Markel, American Modern, Progressive, Foremost, Dairyland/Senty you're getting a small company that specializes in playing where the big boys don't want to. State Farm and Allstate write more bikes without really trying than any of these guys. Usually these specialized carriers have additional product features such as higher included blanket coverge for accessories (aka "farkels"), coverage for safety apparel (aka riding gear) and some even offer a replacement cost option for new bikes. They'll take crazy bikes like all the new little Asian scooters flooding the market now right on up to the Boss Hoss... the only bike that'll shut the Harley guys up. Look it up just for fun.
These companies usually rate bikes for what they really do. For example, our C14's skew higher because they'll do a 103mph 1/4 mile in under 11 seconds..... kinda sounds sport bike-ish to most. Additionaly when you count shaft drive, kipass, tps, 3 on board computers, it gets costly to put humpty-dumpty together when it lands shiny side down.
Having said that, they also offer discounts for things like experience, safety courses like the MSF basic/advanced rider's course, being a homeowner, good driving record, no claims, transfering to them from another company, good insurance score (aka credit), and muli-bike policies. Also, and perhaps most importantly their claims reps are trained to adjust MOTORCYCLE claims, not just automobile claims. Not that its relavent here but they'll understand that a Harley-Davidson is only getting repaired at a Harley shop, by a Harley mechanic with Harley parts and Harley paint. Likewise with bikes like our C14's.
On the other hand, the mega companies usually write bikes much like they write autos. Some offer coverage for accessories, some don't specity. Some take a wide range of bikes, some have a restricted list. Some will write just your bike, some want your homeowner's/renter's and auto policies before they'll even talk about your bike. Be very careful of going with these guys if you're not insurnace saavy. Find an agent who rides, or a buddy who's had good experience in a claims situation with one of these companies. There's nothing wrong with these larger companies, they can be very competitvely priced with good coverage when they've got all your other stuff. Just keep in mind the difference I mentioned before.
For example, I'm looking at a quote right now from one of the two largest "Captive" insurance carriers. They've got our house, our autos, my old '76 CB750, my wife's jewelry, and our personal liablity umbrella policy. My quote has the following characteristics:
1) 250/500/100 bodily injury and property damage liablity coverage
2) Comprehensive coverage at actual cash value (ACV) with a $250 deductible
3) Collision coverage at ACV with a $1000 deductible
4) Uninsured motor vechile bodily injury coverage at 100/300 limits
5)
Total 12 month premium: $292.64.
Just for context, I'm 29 with a completely clean driving record, good insurance score, 10 years of riding experience (not that these guys care), current MSF certification and have everything else I own insured with them.
One last note of caution regarding bike insurance. If you do have a personal umbrella liablity policy with your main carrier and they offer insurance for motorcycles there may be a penalty for placing coverage elsewhere. My carrier would charge me an additional 50% for my umbrella policy if I put my C14 anywhere else.
You asked for it, you got it.
There's an eyeful on motorcycle insurance. I hope it helped. If you want to get a quote online with the speciality companies, I stronly suggest you support your local agent. Insurance is meant to protect your financial well being, unless you know the score, better get some help. Same goes for the big companies. There is simply no replacement for an agent guiding you through the world of insurnace. Trust me. You'll be glad you did if there's ever a claim on the bike or anything else.
However if you're insurance saavy or simply must go it along. Check out these sites:
Markel: http://www.markelinsuresfun.com/
American Modern: These guys don't sell direct, but they do write the motorcycle insurance for Esurance. You can get a quote online but if you like it you'll have to talk with a human to bind coverage
http://www.esurance.com/home/motorcycle.asp
Progressive: https://www.progressive.com/online-c...r-service.aspx
Foremost: http://www.foremost.com/products/motorcycle/
Sentry/Dairyland: http://www.sentry.com/CP/ContactUs.aspx
Ride Well.
