Race Cans

[DaveS]

I've never plucked up the courage to ask my insurance company about their view on race cans and whether they would invalidate a claim, but today as I was renewing my insurance I decided to ask the brokers about it.

Their advice was that an insurance company MAY use the fact that you have an illegal exhaust to invalidate your claim, as its an unauthorised modification.

So they didn't say will, they said may which I suppose is something. However I'm not sure that I want to chance that, so will be changing to a Remus where I can take the baffles out I think if and when I need to.

Any thoughts.... anyone had experience in a positive or negative light?

[Fatjohn]

Do they not have to prove that the modification was in some way responsible for the accident? Or do you mean a claim for theft?

[DaveS]

The short answer is I don't know.

I took it to mean.... you've modified the bike with an increase in power, and made it illegal in the process, and therefore you may not be covered in the event of a claim.

I suppose I was thinking that lets say you were filtering and got caught out, you'd probably have a 50% liability split with the car, however the insurance co may say they aren't covering you because you've modified your bike without telling us.
I guess it comes down to the wording in the policy.

[Fatjohn]

nah, I'm *pretty* sure they have to prove the mod in some way caused the crash to duck out of the claim e.g. swapping your brake pads for aftermarket billet cheese slices or something.

[jabba]

mm i have heard some scary stories about a certain insurance broker named after a lady who dont like paying out

I think that they could invalidate your policy if they asked you if its stock or had any modifications, my bet is the remus is classed as a modification and if they want to pull it they could.

[Ralphie]

I thought that the change of the can wouldn't make much difference to the power output - please tell me if I've got this wrong (Somehow I know you will).
As far as insurance goes, if it doesn't make any difference to the power then it shouldn't matter. Insurance companies will always use an excuse like 'modified' to counter a claim. Arguing with them long and hard, or simply forgetting about the mod works most of the time. Fair enough if you fitted a turbo to your bike but most of the mods I've read about on this forum and others don't sound like they make the bikes that much faster.
Cheers
Chucky

[xrv_jim]

Their advice was that an insurance company MAY use the fact that you have an illegal exhaust to invalidate your claim, as its an unauthorised modification.

Erm, we are talking about an insurance company here aren't we?

Do not kid yourself. Your insurance company will find any excuse to wriggle out of their obligation. Insurance companies exist for one reason only...to make lots of wonga for their shareholders.

The only plus point is that most insurance assessors wouldn't even mention a race can in an accident/theft report...unless you've already tipped 'em off by asking about Race Cans at renewal time!

[DaveS]

That's what I think. I'm not sure I want to risk it.
I'll consider buying a road legal can or putting the original back on.