House insurance & Bike gear

Currently renewing my home insurance.

It seems there is a bit of debate whether bike gear comes under the heading
of sport equipment or clothing.

So far, two companies think it's clothing and will cover it. Others,
including Axa, absolutely refuse and deem it too high a risk.

When I pointed out that it's _safety_ equipment, not sport equipment just
get lots of umm's and arr's.

Anyone got recommendations on a home insurer who will include bike equipment
(whilst in use) in the personal possession cover?

 

As I don't have a sports bike does that make mine "touring" clothing ? or
"retro" gear ?

 

It's still sports equipment because, apparently, motorcycling is a sport.

I did try and argue that wearing a helmet is mandatory, therefore how can
that be 'sporting' equipment but I get the "it's policy".

Anyway, I've found that that will... just not the cheapest unfortunately

That said, if I were to replace the equipment I'm thinking of, it would cost
me approx £1800, so possibly worth paying £20 extra to cover.

 

the cunts.

 

More Than have covered mine for a value of £1000. I'd need to check
the policy to find out how much extra it was. Not much though.

 

Not really related but I'll hijack the thread anyway . We get a
flexible benefits allowance which allows you to spend some money on
health care etc. This year we can take out personal accident cover which
I thought, could be a good idea. Doesn't cover you for riding a
motorbike though .

 

I'm with Churchill (I think), and I've got sporting kit & expensive
single item cover for up to £3k (per item) and it's only an extra
£30/year (IIRC) on top of their base policy.

Whatever it is, it's not expensive and it covers kit at home, outside
and abroad.

 

What about when you're using it?

That's the crux - all of them offer cover whilst home or abroad - The
clincher is whether or not they cover it _whilst it's in use_.

 

As cars can also be raced, then how do they feel about that ?

 

YTC#1 wrote

Safe and secure in the knowledge that their profits will continue to
rise at our expense I should imagine.

 

You truly are special.

Do you see your average car driver wearing a helmet and leathers?

 

Good point. [pregnant pause]

I've just checked with Churchill and I'm *not* covered whilst any
sporting kit is in use. Which is fair enough really, sporting kit
generally gets a right hammering "during normal use" and is expensive.
If you need cover, someone will cover you, but it'll cost. They did
say that I'm covered for leathers etc. because thay're classed as
clothes. Motorcycle helmets however are *specifically* excluded from
my policy.

Coincidently I'm just sorting out m/c cover which is due for renewal
on Saturday and both Bennetts and Carole Nash cover kit in the event
of an accident. Not that it's worth much, the excess *per item* means
that it's only worth claiming for a really expensive helmet.

 

Interesting, as others seem to view leathers as sports equipment.

Think I'll endeavour to just not claim

 

And you truely miss the point.

They all wear seat belts, is that sports equip as well ?

 

Mine covers accidental damage whenever and however it occurs. I did
check this before buying.

 

Swiss employers are all obliged to provide accident cover, which
includes _any_ accident, regardless of what, where or why.

Which is nice.

 

No he doesn't, at the risk of sounding childish, *you* do.

The insurance companies have defined motorcycling as a sporting activity
in the same way they define - say - hockey, rugby, parachuting and scuba
diving as sports.

As such the equipment used to 'play' that sport comes under their heading
of sporting equipment and is underwritten as such.

The key point is they don't define driving a motor car as a sporting
activity and as such is irrelevant. Whether this definition is right or
wrong is another issue altogether.

No, as the ins co don't define driving a car as a sporting activity
they're not sports equipment.

However attempt to insure a Nomex multilayer one piece race suit and I
suspect the response will be similar to that Dan experienced for his bike
gear.

 

You both obviously miss the point.... it is your job to now play silly
buggers with the ins co and tie them up investigating this travesty.
Threaten to go ot the ombudsman.
Policy can be change.

 

Or strip nekkid and say you lost 'em.

 

In this case, I'm glad I read the small print before buying.