Dairyland Motorcycle Insurance & My Norton

In order to get my Norton a title in Texas I must get a state inspection and to do that I need insurance. I use Dairyland for my Moto Guzzi and my wife called them today to add the Norton. They said that they needed 24 hours to do some research. I found this disconcerting. I had my 1973 Commando insured with them for years and there was never an issue. I was wondering of this was due to the 6 digit VIN or because Nortons are hard to value?

Maybe, State Farm initially had an issue with the 6 digit VIN.

I have my bikes, including the Commando, insured through Hagerty. They specialize in classic machinery. No BS. No red tape. Easy.

Regards,
Russ

No need for titles in Maine but recently called my insurance agent for a quote on my 72 Commando. In less than 5 mins I was quoted $100/year. Not sure which Insurance Co. he used.

Big_Jim59 said:

In order to get my Norton a title in Texas I must get a state inspection and to do that I need insurance. I use Dairyland for my Moto Guzzi and my wife called them today to add the Norton. They said that they needed 24 hours to do some research. I found this disconcerting. I had my 1973 Commando insured with them for years and there was never an issue. I was wondering of this was due to the 6 digit VIN or because Nortons are hard to value?

Click to expand...

Pro tip: add 11 preceding zeros. If anyone ever questions it, just say "the computer must have done it". Breeze right along.

Jim,
I would highly recommend giving Haggerty a call.You can insure it for any value you like and are easy to deal with. I think that their rates are reasonable for classic vehicles.
Mike

I am probably an isolated incident but was involved in an accident- Haggerty didn't pay a cent.. Some stupid rule in Pennsylvania, Had to go back on my wife's employer's insurance. $75,000 hospital bill Haggerty would not even pay for my lost hearing aid! I was paying for hospital coverage and Haggerty knew they were not having to pay. Make sure you pay for only what applies to you. Changed to J.C. Taylor

mean gene said:

I am probably an isolated incident but was involved in an accident- Haggerty didn't pay a cent.. Some stupid rule in Pennsylvania, Had to go back on my wife's employer's insurance. $75,000 hospital bill Haggerty would not even pay for my lost hearing aid! I was paying for hospital coverage and Haggerty knew they were not having to pay. Make sure you pay for only what applies to you. Changed to J.C. Taylor

Click to expand...

+1 on JC Taylor - maybe it helps that I built the boss’s vacation house !

I kind of figure that if I wreck my Norton any insurance will not pay replacment value and (depending on the amount of damage I sustain) I will probably be fixing it myself. At this point the insurance is just a check box for the titling requirements. I do like the idea of adding zeros to the VIN. It seems that a 6 digit VIN is problematic.

If I ever have an accident that totals what I'm riding insurance will be the least of my concerns...

Best

I have a Dairyland blanket policy for liability that covers anything I ride. I hope they pay in case I'm at fault someday but it gives me a card to show the cop not that WA requires liability insurance for motorcycles the last few years.

My wife got a call for Dairyland today. They said they "don't insure those bikes" what ever than means. I know they used to because I had my 750 insured with them. Well, it's off to find another carrier.

mean gene said:

I am probably an isolated incident but was involved in an accident- Haggerty didn't pay a cent.. Some stupid rule in Pennsylvania, Had to go back on my wife's employer's insurance. $75,000 hospital bill Haggerty would not even pay for my lost hearing aid! I was paying for hospital coverage and Haggerty knew they were not having to pay. Make sure you pay for only what applies to you. Changed to J.C. Taylor

Click to expand...

What was the reasoning they gave for not covering you? I'm loathe to trust insurance companies, but Haggerty try to position themselves squarely as the go-to for these bikes and their riders.

Geico left me holding the bag on $350k in medical on a loophole left open by their agent, so I might be a bit more sensitive to the shenanigans of these shysters.

Big_Jim59 said:

My wife got a call for Dairyland today. They said they "don't insure those bikes" what ever than means. I know they used to because I had my 750 insured with them. Well, it's off to find another carrier.

Click to expand...

I have 1971 and 1972 Commandos insured with Progressive in Texas.

You can get a title in Texas without getting it registered. At the top of the title application, check the box that says "title only". If you are just getting title only you do not have to have it inspected or have proof of insurance. It only needs to be inspected and have proof of insurance when you register it for the plate ie when you are putting it on the road. I've done this on a number of bikes that were projects and I wanted the title right away but didn't get the plate until years later. Stand your ground with the title clerk, the law is clear on this but the clerk may not be. You may need to get a supervisor involved.

Also, in Texas you can get an antique plate. Cost is less and no inspection required. Supposed to be used for shows and events. They do have a clause that repair and testing associated riding is allowed. I've always used them on all my old bikes and have never been hassled but you might be hassled by some job right. Once I came out of a coffee stop and saw a deputy looking at my bike all he had to say was "nice bike".

I wouldn't ride anywhere without at least liability insurance. I have all my vingage bikes with agreed upon value with Hagerty.

I have had an '89 car registered as antique in two states since 2008. From '08-16 it was my daily driver. Never an issue.

I once asked a friend who was a State Trooper about it and his response was, "Nobody is going to stop you re the antique plate no matter where the car is seen. If you get stopped for a moving violation, it might come up as a question by the officer. Whether it does and whether you get a citation for it along with the moving violation ticket will be up to the officer. If you are pleasant, it's unlikely. If you are pleasant, you might not get the moving citation either."

I insure through JCTaylor. Re antique plates Virginia cops will often question your use sine antiques do not pay personal property tax here.

I lost two motorcycles in a garage fire in 2019, and Dairyland gave me a very fair payout on both of them. Luckily I've had no experience with how they might handle medical bills.

I turned all the paper work over to my wife and she found a liability deal with Geico. This was for my Guzzi and for the Norton.

I had an unfortunate interaction with a drunk while riding my BMW R90/6 many years ago. As I recall I had Dairyland Insurance and they paid a surgeon to drain the hematoma on my leg. I still have the scar.