Collecter Plates

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I applied for "collecter plates" for my 77 /7, and was quite surprised when it was approved. My insurance is now 1/4 what it was before, maybe even less. It'll be around $175 per year instead of $1375 per year. The insurance coverage is the same, I just have to agree to not use it to go to work or school, and you have to have another liscenced and insured vehicle that isn't covered with collector plates. You also have to agree to keep the bike stock and faithful to it's year of manufacture, eg. no after market exhaust or handlebars. They allow saddlebags and period fairings however.

I am sure other jurisdictions have similar schemes. The vehicle has to be from 15 to 25 years old, depending on the relative scarcity and (I think) production numbers. It looks like it's up to the person issueing the plate, therefore there is some room for negotiating. I have a Luftmeister 2 into 1 exhaust on my /7, but I told them that it was a popular accesory when the bike was new, and they went for it.

They also have a scheme where you can buy agreed value insurance for $50 extra, I didn't attempt that, but might in the future.

I always thought that insurance was a total loss since I'd likely be killed if I did enough damage to need it. However the law requires it, so I was glad to find this option.

[brooksie]

Good to hear about the reduced insurance! I am going to try to get collector plates for my R75/6 during the next week or so
Did it take long to get your plate? Should be fun to ride during those few nice days we get over the rainy season.

[dlearl476]

>They also have a scheme where you can buy agreed value insurance for $50 extra, I didn't attempt that, but might in the future.


You might want to look into that. Even collector insurance is based some kind of "blue book". (Not Kelly, as it doesn't go that far back) I think you'd be dismayed to find the insurance company probably figures your bike would be worth $800-$1000 (tops) in a pay-off.

I have a little experience with collector plates and insurance, as I've been driving "classics" as daily drivers most of my adult life. State statutes vary greatly. And I don't know how many even have collector plates for bikes, my experience is with cars. For instance, in Colorado any vehicle over 25 years is eligible. It only needs to pass emissions ONCE, but to discourage people from simply licensing old vehicles as "classics", you have to pay 5 years worth of property tax and registration in advance (but your plates are good for 5 years). Utah, OTOH, has collector plates but only allows such vehicles to be driven in parades, on holidays, and to official affairs (such as an "advertised" car show. I don't know HOW they enforce this, but that's the reg.) Only recently I've seen collector plates here in Las Vegas.

Then again, you don't HAVE to have collector plates to INSURE your vehicle as a classic, with an "agreed value" policy. Different companies have different rules. My State Farm policy has no exclusions on work or school, simply that the cars are driven less than 10,000 miles/year. (No problem as I have 2, and mostly ride my bikes)
And FWIW, having more is cheaper. I insure 2 cars (classic policies) and 3 bikes for LESS than my '96 Riviera was to insure. (Full coverage).

One last hint: As I unfortunately found out when someone rear-ended my '72 2002Tii, it pays to document the vehicle's condition in advance, especially if you can have a recognised "authority" appraise it. Luckily, I have a lifelong friend with a high end body shop who helped me refute the other driver's insurance company'sintitial offer of $2500. I ended up with $6500 AND the car. (New motor and brand new transmission/driveline)

[donkey doctor]

Hello; We have a vintage plate available here in BC, but the car (or Motorcycle) has to be 50 years old or older, and is intended to be used in a parade or car show. I'm sot sure what the savings are on this, but it must be more then 75% savings. We also have Veteran plates, but they are intended for second world war veterans.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; It did take quite a lot of time, the wheels of Government turn slowly. It took 3 weeks before I got the form back from ICBC, which you have to take down to your agent, they fax it away and call you up when the plate arrives. Takes another week for that to happen.

I thought I would'nt pass because of teh luftmeister exhaust, but since it's an acepted period replacement, they allowed it.

[DarrylRi]

I've had experience with this in Washington state and California. As DLEarl points out, in the US, insurance is a separate item from the plates.

Washington has "horseless carriage" plates for a one time registration fee. But the vehicle must only be used in "events" and for driving to and from said events. Anything over 25 years qualifies.

California has "vintage" plates and "collector" plates, though I'm not really sure what distinguishes them. Also, if you bring in a correct plate for the year of manufacture (YOM) of the vehicle, before 1962, and the number isn't used, you can register that. In all cases, however, you must pay for the tabs each year and there's an extra fee for the special plates.

I've got full coverage, stated value, vintage insurance on 4 bikes. It's only about $400/year for all of them, as I recall. There is a 2500 mile/year limit, however, and I'm not supposed to use the vehicles for commuting. I'm insured with Condon & Skelly, but there are others (Haggerty, for example) that may not have a mileage limitation.

[James.A]

Illinois has "antique vehicle" plates and all my bikes would qualify. Unfortunately, they carry a very restricted use and are unworkable for a vehicle driven regularly. The upside is that for a show bike, you can get any relevant plate for the vehicle and the SOS will register that plate as valid. Example; I could run a 1965 Illinois plate or a German plate on my R27, but I could only ride it to shows.

[tom56]

I live in Michgian, where vehicles over 25 years can use a plate from the year of the motorcycle. Since I saved all my plates, I have a '68 plate on my '68 Suzuki and provided my friend with a '71 plate for his /5. reduced rates for insurance exist if one can find a agent that will honor the Mi bill:bliss

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by tom48
I live in Michgian, where vehicles over 25 years can use a plate from the year of the motorcycle. Since I saved all my plates, I have a '68 plate on my '68 Suzuki and provided my friend with a '71 plate for his /5. reduced rates for insurance exist if one can find a agent that will honor the Mi bill:bliss

For you folks interested in such things, I found this site (http://www.licenseplates.tv/index.php) that makes vintage plates of every variety. I'm trying to find out if I can register my R bike, then get a '70 plate made with the proper number. (AFAIK, Utah doesn't allow switching plates from vehicle to vehicle)
I'm also considering a German plate with "BMW over Type 243" to match the plate that was on the R75 at the equivalent of Intermot in 1970.
They're expensive I know, but I know I'm not the only that overlooks such trivia when nothing counts but perfection!:brow

[mcollect]

I have Classic plates and insurance on both bikes, 76 Lemans and 78 R100s, through Progressive. All they require for agreed value is pictures front, side and VIN, as well as an apraissal from your dealer or a registered appraiser. The insurance is quite resonable and you get a multiple vehicle discount.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; Here'[s the latest wrinkle; I called my insurance agent to see what was taking so long, They said that they had ordered the wrong plate, and were now going to send it back and re-order the correct one, and that it might be in Tuesday next week. So were getting closer to two months now. They don't care that I'm missing out on some great riding weather, or that It's going to rain for the next 22 weeks.

[brooksie]

Yup, the weather is absolutely fantastic today! I think you are a bit optimistic about it raining for the next 22 weeks. I seem to think we may get a few days of snow thrown in for good measure!

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by donkey doctor
Hello; Here'[s the latest wrinkle; I called my insurance agent to see what was taking so long, They said that they had ordered the wrong plate, and were now going to send it back and re-order the correct one, and that it might be in Tuesday next week. So were getting closer to two months now. They don't care that I'm missing out on some great riding weather, or that It's going to rain for the next 22 weeks.

?????????

You get these plates through your insurance agent in CA? How's about a temp plate from the DMV? Most states in the USA have these for pennies and require no further documentation than a copy of a bill of sale or title. Also in the US, you're covered (insurance-wise) from the moment you call to arange coverage. In fact my State Farm policy covers me for three days prior to calling. (i.e. If I bought a bike on Friday, planned on getting coverage on Monday, but had an accident on Saturday, I'd be covered. But this might be due to my Multi-Vehicle policy)

[donkey doctor]

Hello; Yes it is a weird arrangement, but here in B.C. Canada, the DMV duties have been farmed out to (what we call) ICBC, or the insurance corp of British Columbia. When the gov't ran it, they kept losing money so they created a corp. and gave them all the responsibilities a DMV would have. There is only one insurer in BC. That doesn't mean it's particularly more efficient, or even cheaper. I doubt if it's better in any measurable way.

[splinelube]

Last year here in Pa. transferred both of my bikes a 76 and a 78 into the Antique Plates classification. Result less insurance for BOTH combined than I was paying for one of them with far BETTER coverage.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; Surprise, My plates came in today, $174 for 12 months. I even like the font, it's a little Nortonish.

The "agreed value" thing only applies in the event of a total write-off. I doubt that I would survive a total write-off. ZYou have to keep it in a locked garage when it isn't being used. I didn't go for it.

The collector plates stipulate that anyone using the plate must be a liscence holder in BC for 10 continuous years.

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by donkey doctor
Hello; Surprise, My plates came in today, $174 for 12 months. I even like the font, it's a little Nortonish.

The "agreed value" thing only applies in the event of a total write-off. I doubt that I would survive a total write-off. ZYou have to keep it in a locked garage when it isn't being used. I didn't go for it.

The collector plates stipulate that anyone using the plate must be a liscence holder in BC for 10 continuous years.

DD, I don't know how your CA insurance works, but here "agreed value" is a guarantee to YOU that you get a fair value for your loss. For instance, if I had normal insurance on my /5 and hit a pothole damaging the fork, it would be a total according to my insurance. The cost of repairing the fork would be greater than the INSURANCE COMPANY thinks it's worth, and that figure would be what I would receive for my loss. OTOH, If I get the insurance company to agree that my bike is worth $5K, I get my bike fixed. Or $5K if the repairs are above that. Not the $800-$900 a normal policy would cover for a bike that old.
Under-insuring a classic is a guarantee you'll get hosed in an accident.