Definition Of Modification For A Motorbike When It Comes To Insurance

[Andrew1966]

Hi all,

I'm incredibly frustrated trying to get a decent insurance for my Vespa scooter. It's a 1970 vintage model, but when I had it restored professionally a couple of years ago, I had the engine changed from the original one to another standard Vespa engine with more cc.

Now, every time I renew the insurance I have to jump through hoops as it counts as a 'modification'. It's not some kind of souped-up machine, just a nice old bike without the original engine in it. Is there any guidance as to how best to insure it without being treated like a boy-racer?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

Andrew

[woofgang]

specialist vintage insurance?

[bednobs]

what kind of hoops do you have to jump through? If you go to a broker, they jump through hoops for you

[gsr600]

it probably counts as performance enhancement, obviously not cosmetic modification.

[Andrew1966]

thanks all - @woofgang: I had that the first year and it was pretty cheap, but then I moved and no longer have a garage, so the vintage specialists won't take it on regardless...
@bednobs, it was basically writing letters, getting proof from the garage of the work etc. It was ok the first time, but now if I want to shop around I have to do the same thing again. The broker I used only found one underwriter.
@gsr600, I agree, but you'd think that the cost of insuring a Vespa 200 or 125 wouldn't be that significant, they're basically both hairdryers :)