This is INSANE !!!!!!!

[Big_Red_Ryder]

Everyone, please, by all means...ignore my post and don't even attempt to answer my questions.....

Thanks a bunch.

[foster]

Why would you need insurance on your trike????? I have been riding for 7 years and never needed it on mine..... Trikes are not street legal and if it is paid for there is no need for insurance, right?

You need liability insurance in some places, to cover the consequences if you hurt or kill someone.

[bigredhead]

If you ride only on your personal land, i beleive you are exempt from this ,but as soon as you leave your driveway or land limits... BAM.. needs insurance !

[OldSchoolin86]

I have a question, maybe someone can answer it for me.

If he would have posed the question "Is it a motorcycle or a fourwheeler?" and you answered "It is an ATV" What would have happened?

I did that with our American Family agent for my Tri-Z. They issure the machine buy VIN and model number. It's there fault if they don't know what it is. When I switched it to the 400ex I told them how cool it was that they insured a 3 wheeler. They said WHAT? As we talked about it they expained how it was thier responsibility because they wrote up the policy.

[bigredhead]

cleaning up.... see below.

[bigredhead]

There.. this still needs alot of work before i send it out to anyone.. but it's a rough draft...

if anyone has any suggestions .. by all means.. please.


-----------

To whom it may concern.

I’m writing this e-mail to express my discontent with the current state of affairs regarding the price of insurance for 3 wheeled ATV’s. After spending much time and effort calling various insurance firms and brokers, I am led to believe that my Honda ATC is considered a motorcycle, and thus is subject to it’s pricing structure.

The popularity of 3 wheelers began the late 70’s and grew dramatically well into the late 80’s, final year of production being 1987. With the enormous amount of these machines being produced, came the need for insurance, and of course came law suits of various kinds, and an increase in insurance premiums to match.

Now 20 years later, my 1985 Honda ATC 250 SX, will cost me a minimum of 453 $ according to “ Champlain Insurance “ in Moncton NB. When an equivalent 4 wheeled ATV of the same year and displacement would cost only 122 $. The value of the machine in it’s current condition is about 800 $ and this is on the higher end of the scope of the average 3 wheeler in this area. An insurance amount of 453 $ per year is simply unbelievable.

The newer 4 wheelers in some cases having much more displacement and horsepower, also have a higher top speed, are just as dangerous and provide the equivalent risk factor. Rider safety applies to all off road vehicles, regardless of size, color, brand, or number of tires. However, the price for insurance does not reflect this for my vehicle of choice.

In closing, I ask for your help by reviewing these policies and provide people like myself a legal means of riding and enjoying a part of history by providing a more affordable source of insurance that properly reflects a change in time and rider awareness and responsibility .

Thank you.

[Billy Golightly]

It might help to put it into perspective for them buy comparing full size car insurance rates, which probably aren't off much from the trike. When they see those comparisons, maybe they'll look at them and go "Man, something is wrong here".

[Pistonhead]

I'm in on supporting the fight for lower insurance prices. In Canada, to ride any ATV on public land you need insurance (that means quad, trike, bike, argo, etc.). I think if we write some clean well written letters, something may get done, I know about 10 other guys who will help us in this effort.

[Pistonhead]

There are other Canadian trikers on here who will help us out I know it, I'm off school right now (2 weeks of exams for grade 10, 11, and 12) but when my buddies get back I'll let them know, they are sick of shelling out a whole lot of cash for their dirtbikes. If everyone gets their friends in on this and friends get other friends in and so on, we can get some changes made.

[mwill15]

Just thought I would help out a little with your letter. If you EVER write a formal letter to a person, business, or extension of the government, you should NEVER address it to 'to whom it may concern.' Those get thrown into the nearest trashcan. The secretary at the office which you mail it to is not going to read your letter in order to decide who to give it to. Do some research and find one specific person to go through. It will work much better. I know that there are government run web sites that I can go to to see the name, physical address, e-mail address, phone number and position of nearly every government officail in the U.S. But, you guys are in Canada so you will have to find your own web sites.

By the way, insurance for my 400ex is $210 for full coverage. I think that the reason trikes are so much more is because of the common beliefe that they are so dangerous.

[mwill15]

Keep in mind that you are probably writting someone with a law-based or political-based education. Everything you say is going to be evaluated for truth, bias and many other things. I am no underwritter, but you should really change some of the things you say. Don't get me wrong, you make some great points, but if you don't take offense, I would like to help you out. I would love to see you guys catch a break here.

[MTS]

i can help out i suppose, but with all the rednecked politions there are in canada i dont think much is gona change, just phone them and register the model and VIN number and dont say anything about 3 wheels and your good to go, i havent ever insure any of my bikes becuse i have had no need too.......but i might have to once i get the R built....i will phone around and see what it costs hear for insurance,

[bigredhead]

mwill15.

By all means man.. any help you can provide or are willing to give.. i'm all for it ! no offence taken at all !

I put the " whom it may concern" for now since i have not yet decided who it's being sent to, and yes a person's name needs to go there . I was considering the local news paper to start off with.. that should get some good spread and maybe gather a few more willing who are not yet forum members !!

That goes to everyone else out there too.. any suggestions, letters , ideas, you name it.. the more the merier !

[yater]

In Texas, we don't need any off-road vehicles insured. My dualsport bikes cost about $100/year for liability but they're street legal. If I had the natural resources and riding area that Canada has, I probably wouldn't mind jumping through a few hoops. Take it on the chin and go ride.

[1985 200s]

In NY state you must have liability insurance even if only driven on your own property and must be registered to ride anywhere off your property. My insurance on a three wheeler , and they know it's a three wheeler, is $50 a year for liability through State Farm.