Can a motorcycle insurance classification be changed/fixed?

J

jwww

Member
Hi everyone, I'm a new rider just got my M2. I've been looking at options for my first bike and I'd really like an Aprilia RS457, but I noticed something odd when asking for insurance quotes. It looks like it's been classified as a Supersport bike even though it's aimed at beginners.

For some context, I'm 30 years old, in the GTA and have a 14 year clean driving record. Here are some of the annual quotes I got:

Honda CBR650R - $2321
Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE - $2232
Yamaha R3 - $2041
Aprilia RS660 - $2527
Aprilia RS457 - $9119

Now I know as a new rider and someone who wants a sportbike my rates are going to be high, but that looked really odd to me. Given the 457 is essentially a mini 660 with half the horsepower and it's designed for the European A2 restricted license. I spoke to my agent at Desjardins about it and she said their system classifies the RS457 as a "Supersport 3" but the RS660 as a "Sport". I also stopped by a local Aprilia dealer and he said the same thing, he said it's killing his sales and he's trying to get Aprilia corporate to contact insurance companies and fix this.

Has anyone ever requested for a company to do a manual underwriting review of a quote like this? I don't really want a 660 I just asked for a quote out of curiosity.
 
The motorcycle company has to canvas insurance companies.
Kawasaki did it for the ninja sx1000se (not R or RR or H2).
Not sure how it works retroactively, but I can insure a 2026 for half the cost of a 2021. I think some owners might be in rough sales water with the 5-6 yr old ones.
 
Interesting! The dealer that I spoke with mentioned he's in contact with his Aprilia rep about this so hopefully they get somewhere with it!
 
jwww said:
Interesting! The dealer that I spoke with mentioned he's in contact with his Aprilia rep about this so hopefully they get somewhere with it!
Click to expand...
I think it’s IBC that shares base classifications. Insurers rely on shared info for motorcycles, particularly lesser known models.

Believe if of not they don’t know or care about the real payout rates by category or displacement, they use generic payout by age and sex.
 
jwww said:
Hi everyone, I'm a new rider just got my M2. I've been looking at options for my first bike and I'd really like an Aprilia RS457, but I noticed something odd when asking for insurance quotes. It looks like it's been classified as a Supersport bike even though it's aimed at beginners.

For some context, I'm 30 years old, in the GTA and have a 14 year clean driving record. Here are some of the annual quotes I got:

Honda CBR650R - $2321
Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE - $2232
Yamaha R3 - $2041
Aprilia RS660 - $2527
Aprilia RS457 - $9119

Now I know as a new rider and someone who wants a sportbike my rates are going to be high, but that looked really odd to me. Given the 457 is essentially a mini 660 with half the horsepower and it's designed for the European A2 restricted license. I spoke to my agent at Desjardins about it and she said their system classifies the RS457 as a "Supersport 3" but the RS660 as a "Sport". I also stopped by a local Aprilia dealer and he said the same thing, he said it's killing his sales and he's trying to get Aprilia corporate to contact insurance companies and fix this.

Has anyone ever requested for a company to do a manual underwriting review of a quote like this? I don't really want a 660 I just asked for a quote out of curiosity.
Click to expand...
Wanna save big? Get a pink helmet and ride as a girl.

In Ontario, if you identify as a female on your DL, you’re gonna get the girl rate on your auto policy. For young and inexperienced riders, the difference can be substantial $1000 savings isn’t unheard of.
 
Mad Mike said:
Wanna save big? Get a pink helmet and ride as a girl.

In Ontario, if you identify as a female on your DL, you’re gonna get the girl rate on your auto policy. For young and inexperienced riders, the difference can be substantial $1000 savings isn’t unheard of.
Click to expand...
Wat? is this real or you fooling?
 
Mad Mike said:
Wanna save big? Get a pink helmet and ride as a girl.

In Ontario, if you identify as a female on your DL, you’re gonna get the girl rate on your auto policy. For young and inexperienced riders, the difference can be substantial $1000 savings isn’t unheard of.
Click to expand...
You go first.... :D When I renewed my DL in June I looked for the box to check that said "Honey Badger"...nope, I check "M" then.
 
Mad Mike said:
I think it’s IBC that shares base classifications. Insurers rely on shared info for motorcycles, particularly lesser known models.

Believe if of not they don’t know or care about the real payout rates by category or displacement, they use generic payout by age and sex.
Click to expand...
I sent the IBC an email, worst case scenario they blow me off. Best case I get to buy the bike I really want and help out Aprilia sales 🥳
 
sburns said:
Wat? is this real or you fooling?
Click to expand...
It’s how they are instructed do it. No questions asked, just be sure you have your identified gender on your DL.
 
Mad Mike said:
It’s how they are instructed do it. No questions asked, just be sure you have your identified gender on your DL.
Click to expand...

I joked about doing this a while back but it's a hassle to change. Also, I've seen some questionnaires ask for sex at birth to get around it. Which begs the question, why are they allowing people to change their birth certificate???

www.ontario.ca

Change the sex designation on your government IDs

Learn how to change the sex designation displayed on your driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card.
www.ontario.ca www.ontario.ca
 
Relax said:
Would be faster to get a better rate by just quoting from other insurers.
Click to expand...
Nearly every company I’ve tried seems to be following the same classification. Cooperators and Echelon quote me around $4500 a year but at that point I’d be better off wit’s a different bike.

FYI I’m not that stubborn about the RS457 I just really like it but if it comes down to it I’ll just go with something else. If an email or two can fix it then why not.
 
The CBR650R isn't rated as a "supersport"? Really?
 
Doh! Well there you go, get the RS660 then. :)

Seriously, with only a 20 lb weight difference, the 457 isn't going to be any nimbler or better handling than the 660 - all else equal. And it's not - the 660 should have better suspension. Power is all in your wrist, or ride in Commute mode.
 
Relax said:
Doh! Well there you go, get the RS660 then. :)

Seriously, with only a 20 lb weight difference, the 457 isn't going to be any nimbler or better handling than the 660 - all else equal. And it's not - the 660 should have better suspension. Power is all in your wrist, or ride in Commute mode.
Click to expand...
Honestly it's a consideration, the price of the bike is obviously going to be higher, I guess I could make an argument that I won't "outgrow" the 660 as fast and I'm kind of large at 6'2" and 200lbs so people have told me I should get a bigger bike.

But honestly it's a bit intimidating, I feel like it's just a good idea to start on something smaller, or higher power bikes might amplify mistakes. I'm also 30 years old and a bit of a square. I have no intention of ripping down highways at 200 kph in the middle of the night so I feel like the 457 is all I need.

Opinions seem to be very split from what I can tell about whether the 660 is beginner friendly or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom