BMW CE-04 Insurance Issues
Discussion
Had an eye on these for a while as a good urban commuter bike (I go into Central London approx. 25 miles each way at least three times a week).
Eventually persuaded myself and got the bike just over two weeks ago - brand new with all the options including the fast charger.
Bike delivered with, as always, exemplary service from the team at Dick Lovett Motorrad down in Bristol.
Long story short, I have just had to send it back and cancel the purchase within the two week statutory cooling off period because nobody (I mean nobody) would offer insurance cover (at any price). I contacted over thirty five firms. The problem quickly became clear that it was not me, or where I live - it was the bike. After some prodding, it seems that there is an issue with the claims history with this bike having a disproportionate number of claims relating to total losses due to fire. The guy from Bennetts went a bit further and said it was more specifically about bikes fitted with the fast charger option catching fire whilst charging. I did a lot of research before buying the bike and watched a lot of reviews. At no point did this ever come up or be alluded to - all the reviews are really favourable.
Ironically, even BMW Motorrad Insurance themselves (which is actually provided by Devitt) will not offer cover on the CE-04.
Over on the EV forum there seems to be some recent trends in certain insurers refusing to cover electric cars any more. There is obviously more to this than meets the eye.
It seems that the UK insurance market is struggling to get comfortable with these new products - we can only hope that the market eases a bit as it becomes more mature.
Eventually persuaded myself and got the bike just over two weeks ago - brand new with all the options including the fast charger.
Bike delivered with, as always, exemplary service from the team at Dick Lovett Motorrad down in Bristol.
Long story short, I have just had to send it back and cancel the purchase within the two week statutory cooling off period because nobody (I mean nobody) would offer insurance cover (at any price). I contacted over thirty five firms. The problem quickly became clear that it was not me, or where I live - it was the bike. After some prodding, it seems that there is an issue with the claims history with this bike having a disproportionate number of claims relating to total losses due to fire. The guy from Bennetts went a bit further and said it was more specifically about bikes fitted with the fast charger option catching fire whilst charging. I did a lot of research before buying the bike and watched a lot of reviews. At no point did this ever come up or be alluded to - all the reviews are really favourable.
Ironically, even BMW Motorrad Insurance themselves (which is actually provided by Devitt) will not offer cover on the CE-04.
Over on the EV forum there seems to be some recent trends in certain insurers refusing to cover electric cars any more. There is obviously more to this than meets the eye.
It seems that the UK insurance market is struggling to get comfortable with these new products - we can only hope that the market eases a bit as it becomes more mature.
It is indeed easy to get so-called "quotes" via the comparison sites - I got around a dozen (although some were variations from the same insurer).
However, when you try and accept the quote and put the bike on cover it refers to the underwriters. A short while later, you get a telephone call with the bad news.
As I said, no company was prepared to offer cover - on any terms.
However, when you try and accept the quote and put the bike on cover it refers to the underwriters. A short while later, you get a telephone call with the bad news.
As I said, no company was prepared to offer cover - on any terms.
Chap at work got rid of his Zero SR recently as his insurance renewal wanted nearly £10K to insure it when it had previously come in at around £750 - apaprently, according to his chat with the insurers so third hand here; it is because of a combination of the 'recent spate of lithium battery fires', 'the market not knowing what to do about electric motorcycles still', and 'its becoming evident that parts and labour for EVs is exceptionally higher than comventional motorcycles as so few outside of the main dealer networks are working with them and the batteries are prohibitively expensive'.
Pick your poison for reasons I guess and I suspect the truth is somewhere between all of the above. Without getting on the usual EV topics too much, for me poor range and cost remain the prohibitive factors when I can continue on what I have now for less than £400 a year insurance and a reliable range of minimum 170 a tank no matter how I ride (200-210 if I ride like a grandma!). Plus I'm still not convinced EV is the actual future as the infrastructure seems incredibly slow to adapt and the environmental hit of mining lithium seems to be coming to light a bit more, so surely a petrol alternative for ICE seems more a real solution.
At least you were able to return it and weren't stuck with an uninsurable lemon. Any idea what you'll look at picking up in its place?
Pick your poison for reasons I guess and I suspect the truth is somewhere between all of the above. Without getting on the usual EV topics too much, for me poor range and cost remain the prohibitive factors when I can continue on what I have now for less than £400 a year insurance and a reliable range of minimum 170 a tank no matter how I ride (200-210 if I ride like a grandma!). Plus I'm still not convinced EV is the actual future as the infrastructure seems incredibly slow to adapt and the environmental hit of mining lithium seems to be coming to light a bit more, so surely a petrol alternative for ICE seems more a real solution.
At least you were able to return it and weren't stuck with an uninsurable lemon. Any idea what you'll look at picking up in its place?
Interesting and somewhat disappointing 
I have one and currently have insurance cover. This was fully comp at £800 ish quid, took the policy out around April this year. This was my first bike on my full license so expected it to be a reasonable whack.
Fingers crossed it settles down again by next April or it will be staying in the garage for the foreseeable and I’ll just have to burn more petrol with the other two I have lurking in there
I have one and currently have insurance cover. This was fully comp at £800 ish quid, took the policy out around April this year. This was my first bike on my full license so expected it to be a reasonable whack.
Fingers crossed it settles down again by next April or it will be staying in the garage for the foreseeable and I’ll just have to burn more petrol with the other two I have lurking in there
Sorry to hear all this as whilst everyone has their own views on EV's for someone like myself that that does 2x35 mile commutes each day they are probably an ideal solution. Each time I renew the commuter bike I do the maths involved in changing to something like the Zero and it never adds up, not even close, this is just another nail in the coffin.
Don't think it's just EV's though as that Guardian article states, our insurance on a bog standard Focus, Admiral wanted to virtually double this year from £310 to £575. Managed to get it down to £350 by shopping around but cannot wait for my multi bike insurance renewal in Nov.
Don't think it's just EV's though as that Guardian article states, our insurance on a bog standard Focus, Admiral wanted to virtually double this year from £310 to £575. Managed to get it down to £350 by shopping around but cannot wait for my multi bike insurance renewal in Nov.
I've considered the CE-04. I think it looks cool and would suit my commute very well. Hopefully the market will sort itself out and this won't be an ongoing problem.
It's not that I'm surper keen to switch to electric, I'm not, but for urban use it does seem to make sense (notwithstanding the high pruchase price).
It's not that I'm surper keen to switch to electric, I'm not, but for urban use it does seem to make sense (notwithstanding the high pruchase price).
I've just run a quote through online up until the point of paying with Devitt using my bike details and there was nothing to say they would not cover me and the cost was comparable to what I am currently paying so strange that the OP could not get cover? (unless it stops you at the point of payment)
Ironically, if it is a fire issue they are concerned about it appears that the CE 04 is being used by some German fire departments as one of their response vehicles!
https://www.rideapart.com/news/594001/bmw-ce04p-f8...
Ironically, if it is a fire issue they are concerned about it appears that the CE 04 is being used by some German fire departments as one of their response vehicles!
https://www.rideapart.com/news/594001/bmw-ce04p-f8...
stepaway said:
I've just run a quote through online up until the point of paying with Devitt using my bike details and there was nothing to say they would not cover me and the cost was comparable to what I am currently paying so strange that the OP could not get cover? (unless it stops you at the point of payment)
Ironically, if it is a fire issue they are concerned about it appears that the CE 04 is being used by some German fire departments as one of their response vehicles!
https://www.rideapart.com/news/594001/bmw-ce04p-f8...
It's okay for German fire departments to use them as they charge 'em up at fire stations with firemen only meters away.... Ironically, if it is a fire issue they are concerned about it appears that the CE 04 is being used by some German fire departments as one of their response vehicles!
https://www.rideapart.com/news/594001/bmw-ce04p-f8...
Just to feedback on this topic now my renewal has come through
Just over £500 per annum for like for like cover (1 years no claims, garaged, 5k miles a year, fully comp SD+P) having held full license for a year and no claims/points etc in a generally low crime area (in a town)
It was just over £800 last year so happy with that.
No insurers were refusing policy for the comparison checks I ran so seemingly not the catastrophe I was fearing!
Just over £500 per annum for like for like cover (1 years no claims, garaged, 5k miles a year, fully comp SD+P) having held full license for a year and no claims/points etc in a generally low crime area (in a town)
It was just over £800 last year so happy with that.
No insurers were refusing policy for the comparison checks I ran so seemingly not the catastrophe I was fearing!
Plus just to add now I've had a years experience riding the CE- 04 alongside a little G310r and a 600 Hornet i love it. Simple to ride, comfy (over the distance it can cover on a charge at least) and overall its fun!
Yes its different (and I'm sure many consider its not a proper bike) to a 'proper' motorbike with an IC engine, but I have both and enjoy both for different reasons.
The main reason though on top of the above is the looks, it still grabs plenty of attention. I'm not an attention seeker by nature, but have always loved car and bike design (and just good design in general), so love to have an opportunity to discuss the bike with passers by, the vast majority of whom absolutely love it, whether they ride or not.
My lad is certainly a fan!
Yes its different (and I'm sure many consider its not a proper bike) to a 'proper' motorbike with an IC engine, but I have both and enjoy both for different reasons.
The main reason though on top of the above is the looks, it still grabs plenty of attention. I'm not an attention seeker by nature, but have always loved car and bike design (and just good design in general), so love to have an opportunity to discuss the bike with passers by, the vast majority of whom absolutely love it, whether they ride or not.
My lad is certainly a fan!
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