Author Topic: Insurance problems for 2009 G5 UCE (Read 2295 times)

rnewton75 · « **on:** September 05, 2009, 08:54:35 PM »

Hello, I just brought home my new G5 today and called Progressive insurance (who had the best rates) to start my policy. They brought up my saved quote and everything seemed great until she entered my VIN #. Apparently the VIN does not pull up in their database (at one point they mentioned the NADA but I'm not sure what they referance). Anyway, they could only classify the bike as a kit or a home-made bike and would only sell me liability coverage (I'd like full coverage). they said that their sample VIN#'s in their system all started with "MB" and mine starts with "ME". they thought it may be a misprint. I looked at the other Enfields at my dealer (Union Cycle, in North Carolina) and all of the 2009 UCE's start with ME. The older Enfields they had in the showroom did start with "MB".

Does Royal Enfield of USA need to register the 2009"s with some sort of database?

r80rt · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2009, 09:02:07 PM »

My C5 didn't show up in my insurance company's data base either, but they checked and found it was a new model. After that it was no problem to get insured.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2009, 09:07:19 PM »

If you don't mind me asking, which insurance company did you use?

REpozer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2009, 09:15:55 PM »

The key word was Progressive------Good Luck $:-\$

thefieldworker · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2009, 09:45:08 PM »

Quote from: rnewton75 on September 05, 2009, 08:54:35 PM

they said that their sample VIN#'s in their system all started with "MB" and mine starts with "ME". they thought it may be a misprint. I looked at the other Enfields at my dealer (Union Cycle, in North Carolina) and all of the 2009 UCE's start with ME. The older Enfields they had in the showroom did start with "MB".

My G5 VIN starts with ME as well, but I had no problems either registering or insuring the bike (USAA) in North Carolina. I too bought my bike from Carl at Union Cycle; he really pulled through for me on the recall issue. I got the bike a day before a scheduled work trip (well, the work was an excuse to ride to the Outer Banks, then up the coast to NJ), and have been really please with the bike. I have yet to see another Enfield on the road here in Charlotte.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2009, 09:52:26 PM »

Hey it's great to hear from another owner in Charlotte (well Belmont).

Yea, Carl told me that another guy that teaches at Davidson College used USAA too but the weird thing is that Progressive underwrites all of the USAA policies... They can't explain it either. I'll probably call USAA tomorrow and see.

thefieldworker · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2009, 10:06:11 PM »

Yeah, that's me. I hope it works for you with the insurance; I know I would find it extremely frustrating to run into these bureaucratic problems.

Good luck with the bureaucrats! (And apologies in advance if you work in the insurance industry.)

rnewton75 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2009, 10:17:40 PM »

Well, good to meet you. I'm in the construction equipment rental business, not insurance.

What year is your G5? If it's a 2008 I think the problem lies with the 2009's (in their system).

thefieldworker · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2009, 10:47:05 PM »

No, like yours, it's 2009; this is the first model year for our bikes.

I know the adage of never buy something in its first year of production, but I fell in love with it and my heart made my brain stop working. I got rid of my last motorcycle (1985 Honda CB700SC Nighthawk) in 2006 (a mistake), and really missed riding. I wanted my first bike back (1975 Honda CB360T), but reading about the Royal Enfield story got me down to Union Cycle last April. I was trying to decide between the G5 and the Bonneville; I have no buyer's remorse.

http://lozada.davidson.edu/?tag=royal-enfield

I am even considering shifting my research somehow so that I can learn more about the Enfield story. There's something going on, not only in American society but throughout the world, that is making bikes like the Enfield (and Urals, Chang Jiangs and other similar bikes) just right for the 21st century. I think Michael Crawford is onto something in his book Shop Class as Soul Craft; he quit his gig at a Washington DC think-tank to open up a motorcycle repair shop, where he feels the critical thinking that he developed while getting his PhD in political science is actually being put to use.

See, I am an academic! I cited a book in my post.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:05:21 AM »

Nice article on your site.

I thought about going to India too. I may be going there next year. My wife wanted me to wait on the bike and get it in india. To see my bike roll off the assembly line would have been cool but, I'm glad I bought it. I have no remorse either.

My last bike was a 1988 Honda NT650 Hawk. Not a Night Hawk, it had the frame of the VFR, a V-Twin, but no fairings. it was styled after the Ducati Monsters. Before that I had a 1978 Suzuki GS1100 (got it cheap, a big piece of garbage), and prior to that my first bike was a 1980 Yamaha 250 Exciter. Of my 3 previous bikes, my favorite is somewhere between the Yamaha & the Hawk. The enfield seems to bridge that gap perfectly.

the Hawk was stolen about 10 years ago. After that, my wife has said no bikes. Recently she's come to the realization that we're all going to die sometime. After booking herself for a variety of "once in a lifetime experiences" (that include skydiving in the Navada Desert & bungee jumping from Victoria Falls) she really couldn't say no any longer. We too fell in love with the Enfields and their story. I was debating between the G5 & the C5. I originally fell in love with the British racing green G5 but, the C5 was looking really neat too. after doing all of my research, I found that the G5 was more versitile and really the bike for me. And as luck would have it, Carl had a green G5.

UncleErnie · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:38:49 AM »

Wow. I'm stunned- you both lost (one way or another) two of the all-time great motorcycles. The hawk and the 700s were both -well, I shouldn't rub it in.

Good luck with the insurance. A person can't even title a vehicle without insurance here. Wht does your dealer say?

r80rt · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:54:35 AM »

Quote from: rnewton75 on September 05, 2009, 09:07:19 PM

If you don't mind me asking, which insurance company did you use?

I use Dairyland, I've had it for years. Cheaper than progressive too.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2009, 08:26:42 AM »

Quote from: UncleErnie on September 06, 2009, 07:38:49 AM

Wow. I'm stunned- you both lost (one way or another) two of the all-time great motorcycles. The hawk and the 700s were both -well, I shouldn't rub it in.

Good luck with the insurance. A person can't even title a vehicle without insurance here. Wht does your dealer say?

My dealer says that he's had no problems with his customers insuring them in the past. I may have to try some different companies but, some of their quotes are hundereds of dollars higher. I got comparable full coverage quotes from $250yr. - $570yr.

t120rbullet · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2009, 08:33:02 AM »

I got my G5 back in March.
My insurance co (Foremost) had it in their database already.

singhg5 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:58:08 AM »

I have a 2009 G5 and got insurance from RIDER Insurance Company in NJ. I think they are all over the country. Try them, there will be no problem. My motorcycle VIN starts with ME too.

G5 is a great bike. I thoroughly enjoy it. Good luck and happy riding.

thefieldworker · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2009, 11:18:29 AM »

Quote from: UncleErnie on September 06, 2009, 07:38:49 AM

Wow. I'm stunned- you both lost (one way or another) two of the all-time great motorcycles. The hawk and the 700s were both -well, I shouldn't rub it in.

Thanks a lot, UncleErnie. I've had regrets for three years, but the G5 makes me feel better now!

UncleErnie · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:22:56 PM »

Several insurance companies -like Dairyland don't write insurance in North Carolina.
I think it may be because the state dictates basic rates, so some companies don't feel like playing. If all you want is basic liability, I don't think there's any real competition because the all have to charge the same. That's also a reason why you can't get bike insurance for a whole year; the insurance companies don't want to miss a possible rate hike.
Welcome to North Carolina.

REpozer · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:30:07 PM »

$99 a year , but then again my RE sleeps half the year too.

I'm looken for a good deal on moth balls .

r80rt · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:33:23 PM »

My insurance covers the whole year, I find a few days even in winter to go for a short ride.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:14:28 PM »

I was able to get basic liability for $81yr from Progressive, so at least I'm legal. But, I'd like Full coverage so I'm going to continue looking. I would assume that a bike is either insurable or uninsurable not just a little bit insurable. I'm actually trying to give them more money and they won't take it! Thanks for the ideas here people, I'm going to start calling all of your ideas on Tuesday. I'll post my results.

I took a look at USAA and they seem to only cater to active service & Veterans (of which I'm neither).

Blue Ridge Wheeltor · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:41:01 PM »

Quote from: UncleErnie on September 06, 2009, 05:22:56 PM

Several insurance companies -like Dairyland don't write insurance in North Carolina.
I think it may be because the state dictates basic rates, so some companies don't feel like playing. If all you want is basic liability, I don't think there's any real competition because the all have to charge the same. That's also a reason why you can't get bike insurance for a whole year; the insurance companies don't want to miss a possible rate hike.
Welcome to North Carolina.

Uncle E,
I have Progressive, and get it for one year at a time.
Also, I had my cars with Geiko and was given a quote for the MC's. progressive was way cheaper. I later found out if you deal directly with Geico MC it is cheaper that going through their auto division.

csbdr · « **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2009, 10:51:21 AM »

My insurance agent once explained that your "yearly" fee already takes into account that your bike is off the road for winter.

Blue Ridge Wheeltor · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2009, 11:22:24 AM »

Quote from: csbdr on September 07, 2009, 10:51:21 AM

My insurance agent once explained that your "yearly" fee already takes into account that your bike is off the road for winter.

I considered taking the Enfield off the road last winter. I ran the numbers and by the time I paid for a new plate the next spring, a new inspection, and new personal property tax (it runs with the plate), i wouldn't be saving enough to worry about.

Kevin Mahoney · « **Reply #23 on:** September 07, 2009, 12:20:46 PM »

Progressive does this all the time. All VIN number prefixes are assigned on worldwide basis by one group. It is managed by the SAE in the US. ME3 is our worldwide designation. It used to be MBF. After the first three characters the rest denote engine size, hp and coded check digit, model year and place of manufacturer. Nothing on a VIN denotes model such as the C5. When the SAE accepts your WMI (world number) it goes in the public DOT database. A manufacturer also has other paperwork and certification obligation to DOT which are also listed in the database. This is the only official registry of bikes which can be sold in the US. EPA is a separate matter.
For some reason Progressive has had this trouble for 10 years. We find it is very agent and customer service representative specific. Yonr best bet is to not confuse them with facts, just tell them the model is a Bullet and don't mention C-5 or G-5.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 07, 2009, 01:33:10 PM »

Hey Kevin, thanks for the info.

Is there any company you'd recomend that will provide full coverage?

Actually, does anyone here have full coverage insurance? with who?

Blue Ridge Wheeltor · « **Reply #25 on:** September 07, 2009, 01:57:56 PM »

Quote from: rnewton75 on September 07, 2009, 01:33:10 PM

Hey Kevin, thanks for the info.

Is there any company you'd recomend that will provide full coverage?

Actually, does anyone here have full coverage insurance? with who?

I have full coverage on my 2008 Bullett,

with progressive.

REpozer · « **Reply #26 on:** September 07, 2009, 02:12:27 PM »

With Progressive, I was on the phone for an hour, tyring to get basic coverage . What a goat rope dealing with them. To make a long story short, I drop Progressive because I think the price they gave me was more for a Brough Superior then a RE.

The best $ 50 I lost due to my own stupidity was worth it to switch to Gieco and 10 minutes later I was money ahead.

I complaned to the Progressive supervisor and even called USAA to inform them of the situation in case others were boon doggled as I was.

BRGreen · « **Reply #27 on:** September 07, 2009, 05:47:54 PM »

I also have my insurance with Progressive through USAA. They kept telling me that the first few letters indicated that the RE is a kit bike (something I built from various parts). It took several days to clear up the problem. USAA always seems to have the best prices, coverage and service. I've been with them since '65. I wonder why they hooked up with Progressive?

Kevin Mahoney · « **Reply #28 on:** September 08, 2009, 09:16:14 AM »

It is clear from your post that whoever told you that had no idea what they were talking about or had bad info. I know quite a bit about WMI numbers and they are ALWAYS the first three characters.

Lmundy · « **Reply #29 on:** September 08, 2009, 10:52:53 AM »

I got my C-5 Friday and had the same experience with Progressive when I called directly by phone - they would only sell me liability coverage, couldn't find the model/brand etc. This morning I called my local independent agent who had sold me the Progressive policy in the first place, who said she would either get it straight with Progressive or would get me an equivalent policy from Dairyland or one of their other lines. The lady said she had insured several Royal Enfields, talked to Progressive, and now I have comprehensive coverage. It may be that there is something weird with their database when you call them by phone, but my agent apparently got it fixed.

csbdr · « **Reply #30 on:** September 08, 2009, 03:27:39 PM »

I've had no problems with state Farm, with this or the Ural. Full coverage.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #31 on:** September 08, 2009, 06:02:15 PM »

Great news everybody!!

Progressive got it handled! I now have full coverage insurance and had my choice of all the features, services, deductibles, etc... that they offer.

Thanks to an email from Doneen at CMW I was able to make this happen. I told the phone rep (at Progressive) that I was going to post the exact procedure for other RE owners in the future. So here it is:

1st - As Kevin said earlier, keep it simple. Tell them it's a RE Bullet 500, that's it.
It will show up in their system.

2nd - Let them compile your quote.

3rd - (this is where you may get the glitch) Give them the VIN as they complete the transaction. the VIN will come back as a "kit, homemade, or state issued manufacture ID number. At this point everything except the liability coverage falls off of your quote.

4th - The phone rep now has to manually change the "KHS" code on the screen to "REG". This is more difficult than it sounds, you have to get a phone rep who has the authority to do this, it tooke me 6 calls to find that person.

5th - Now, the quote has to be recompiled, it will take them a few moments and you may have to help them remember your exact coverages.

6th - That's about it, the policy will still say it's a "K"it, "H"omemade or "S"tate assigned number but it allows them to sell you any coverage you want.

The person who answered my phone rep's questions is named Lisette at ext. 4533. she was recomended as a contact person at progressive by CMW.

Thanks to everyone here for the help with this. I hope this post will help someone in the future.

PS: Progressive was really the cheapest by far, that really made it worth the trouble.

thefieldworker · « **Reply #32 on:** September 08, 2009, 06:49:09 PM »

Great news, rnewton75. See you on the road!

I too appreciate the extra effort that people at CMW expend on their customers. All y'all do a great job being responsive.

REpozer · « **Reply #33 on:** September 08, 2009, 07:00:15 PM »

Seems like allot of unnecessary trouble , that's why I left Progressive.

Glad you got a good rate.

What ever happened to treating the costumer right?

The Garbone · « **Reply #34 on:** September 08, 2009, 08:43:33 PM »

Ah,,, who needs insurance anyhow... Its all a racket...

doomed1 · « **Reply #35 on:** September 09, 2009, 12:53:37 AM »

Quote from: The Garbone on September 08, 2009, 08:43:33 PM

Ah,,, who needs insurance anyhow... Its all a racket...

indeed, but law is law and i'd hate to be caught without my proof of insurance on the road...

rnewton75 · « **Reply #36 on:** September 09, 2009, 04:07:20 AM »

Thanks FieldWorker, Are there any nice back roads in the Davidson area (I think that's where either you or Carl said you are)? I live in the Belmont/Mt. Holley area and I'm currently running the back roads here trying to do the run-in by the book. But, I'm alwaays loking for new scenery...

Kevin Mahoney · « **Reply #37 on:** September 09, 2009, 09:50:20 AM »

This is the damedest thing. You would think the simplest thing would be for them to just fix the glitch in their system. Someone at Progressive doesn't understand the the US and worldwide VIN system. At least we now know how to get around their system and make it puke out the right data.

mbevo1 · « **Reply #38 on:** September 09, 2009, 12:58:59 PM »

My '07 is insured with USAA... no probs getting it ensured, but my proof of insurance says "Royal Infield"...

Mike and Stumpy in Michigan

thefieldworker · « **Reply #39 on:** September 10, 2009, 11:58:16 PM »

Quote from: rnewton75 on September 09, 2009, 04:07:20 AM

Thanks FieldWorker, Are there any nice back roads in the Davidson area (I think that's where either you or Carl said you are)? I live in the Belmont/Mt. Holley area and I'm currently running the back roads here trying to do the run-in by the book. But, I'm alwaays loking for new scenery...

Lots of nice back roads around Lake Norman, south Iredell county, out NC49 is nice as well. If you have time, out west is nice - Blue Ridge Parkway, of course, but on the way is fine as well.
I went down 49, took back roads to Beaufort and the outer banks. It was a great ride, except for the part where I used to live (Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville) - 8 lane highway!
I followed the book for run-in as well (frustrating not to go past 45), but now at 2,500, my G5 runs nicely. Worth the wait.

rnewton75 · « **Reply #40 on:** September 11, 2009, 07:57:12 PM »

Update everybody!

I've spoken to James from Progressive and he sent me this email to post on his behalf. There may have been some difficulty getting my policy but we need to keep in mind that we're not riding a mainstream bikes and hic-ups are to be expected. The following email is a sincere commitment to serve the RE crowd. This says worlds about their customer service In a world where it seems to be rapidly declining:

Thanks for calling me back about your Royal Enfield motorcycle and the
problem you had insuring it with Progressive.

The issue that we are having is one of programming rather than one of not
wanting to write these bikes for full coverage. The VIN number that RE uses
starts with the letters “ME”, in our system this is recognized as the state
abbreviation for Maine. They use the letters “ME” when they issue a state
assigned VIN.

We are currently working on reprogramming this so that our system will not
default VIN numbers that begin with the letters “ME”. For the time being we
do have a workaround in place and can definitely write these vehicles for
full coverage. We will be making our sales and service folks aware of this
problem in the near future so that there will less confusion when people
call in for a quote.

Feel free to post my name and number so that if people have a problem I can
address it. People calling in for a quote should have the sales rep contact
me in the event of a problem with the quoting process.

Thank you,

Jim Burgett
Progressive Insurance
Motorcycle Underwriter
1-800-937-7704 ext 57436

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Author Topic: Insurance problems for 2009 G5 UCE (Read 2295 times)