Bike insurance due for renewal so shopped it again the last few days. The intent, like always, was to put in the bikes and see what comes out. It's not like there is any loyalty to companies anymore. Check on comparable satisfactory coverages and see what gets spit out.
For me it's insuring three bikes. Deservedly or not clean driving record for a long time and in a "cheaper" area to insure. So my rates aren't terrible compared to what many have to endure. Even so after starting with a new company again two years ago the rate made a significant jump (25%) with this renewal. So off I shop; again.
In that process I had the new-to-me realization.
Liability, perfectly satisfactory liability that is, coverage could be had on all three bikes for just over a dollar a day. Normal coverage is so much more and if it must pay out has a "cash value" of the bikes capped at such a level that if I avoid an accident for three years I'm at break even.
I know, for me it's different because my bikes are all old. Though they identify as stock they are all marginally upgraded in ways whomever my insurance company is could not care less about anyway. Plus should anything ever happen I'd fix them myself anyway.
The way it all told I couldn't justify normal full coverage on the old bikes. The numbers just don't work. If something happens and it's the other person's fault they can deal with making it right and whatever arguments that might entail. But if it's on my dime with me wanting to bring a damaged home for repair anyway... the insurance company would never pay out enough to warrant the difference in coverage costs. And if I'm clean for at least three years I'm actually money ahead.
Just food for thought for others with older bikes.