QUESTION: Last week I purchased a Harley Davidson Low Rider. I have put leather bags, some chrome parts, and a windshield on the cycle. Are these parts covered by my policy?

There are two ways to learn about accessory coverage. The first way is the happy way...in other words, before anything happens to your cycle. The other way, is the sad way...finding out what really is covered after a problem arises. Hopefully, this will not be the case after reading this.

Just about every insurance company insures the cycle the way it comes from the factory!!. Their policies are designed to offer the coverage to a STOCK motorcycle. Anything done above and beyond that has to be specifically spelled out. And depending on the company, there are some interesting guidelines as to what will be covered, or how much will be covered, and what won't be covered. There are also ways to save money when deciding to buy accessory coverage. But first let's answer the questions.

The answer to all the questions is NO. Accessories that are added to the cycle must be ADDED to your coverage. Depending on the company, there is a fee based on the value of the accessories. This fee can range from 3% to 15% or even higher. The rate is dependant on the same factors that govern your basic coverage...such as age group, territory, sport bike surcharge, type of program, etc. For the most part, you can insure add on items usually at a rate of about 3% on the low side to as high as 17% of the stated value. You can also include installation costs with most companies. Example; the cost of the leather bags ($200), installation ($40), windshield ($195), installation ($75), and chrome highway pegs ($50) all add up to $560. That is a realistic out of pocket expense. The cost to insure these items would be about $17 to $91 a year. You could choose to insure some of them or all of them. But, if you do not pay some sort of fee, they will not be covered under your policy. Sending a picture or telling youragent that you have added them will not suffice. They must be SPECIFICALLY listed on your policy with the premium that you paid for their coverage!

Each insurance company will have a different outlook on what items they will offer coverage for. In the case of the Sportster, again, if a fee wasn't paid, your cycle was covered as a stock factory cycle. That is why the insurance company only paid for the replacement of a stock exhaust system.

Custom paint is one that comes up a great deal. Painting a cycle is probably the most sincere form of adoration and pride. I have seen paint jobs that have taken three to four months and have made me sit in amazement of their quality. How can anyone put a value of such a work of art? Some insurance companies will allow for custom paint, some will limit the dollar value of it. It is definitely a good idea to ask your agent for the details.

Some general rules about accessory coverage. Each company will have a guideline as to what items they will offer coverage on. Check with your agent for eligibility. Some companies will have a limit as to the dollar amount of coverage. This could be simply stated as a dollar figure or as a percentage of the actual cash value (ACV) as decided by the Blue Book. Also realize that some companies will allow discounts on the accessary coverage in future years while others won't. Ask again for details. On the other hand, if you are with a company that surcharges for driving record, then your accessory coverage fee could be subject to that as well.

Should you decide on accessory coverage, be aware of items that are being substituted for stock items. You could be overpaying or paying double for the same coverage. For example, let's say that you are adding a custom seat to your cycle. The seat cost you $350 with installation. It will go where your stock $150 seat was. You could choose to insure the whole amount ($350), or you could choose to insure the DIFFERENCE in value between the two seats ($200). Again, the seat goes to the garage. (Maybe it will mate with the exhaust system and produce little footpegs!) Should a claim be made, you already have $150 worth of coverage on the stock seat with your basic coverage, and the additional $200 of coverage should get your custom seat replaced. (Don't forget to offer the perfect, original, un-used, flawless seat to the claims adjuster!) This philosophy works well with a great deal of after market items. I don't think there are many agents out there who will share this idea with you. After all, their commission is increased with the dollar amount of the policy. In many cases, especially if you have an agent that does cycles as a side line, you might have to explain to him how to do it!)

As a final note it is important to note that we all have a tendency to purchase insurance in a certain manner...price alone. It is not wrong to be cost conscience. Nothing is wrong with shopping around for a good deal. Just make sure you are aware of what you are purchasing. More important, be aware of what you are NOT getting! I have always believed that are two ways to buy insurance. The first way is finding a policy that will allow us to get the cycle out of the showroom, or just keeping the finance company satisfied. The second way comes from being involved in a claim and seeing firsthand what we did not purchase. It is a hard lesson and it is a tough one to swallow but the lesson lasts for a long time. Most of us feel that we will never be involved in a claim, that we will never go down on our cycles, or that EVERYTHING will be handled. During the claim process is a pretty rotten time to have your policy explained to you. If you are not sure of what coverages you have and how they will serve you, CALLYOUR AGENT! You have already paid him, make him earn a little of that money! If he doesn't know the answer, find an agent that does. Remember, the smartest shopper is the educated shopper!!