How to make a claim on your motorbike insurance policy.
Motorcycle Insurance Cover Claims Procedure - When making a motorcycle insurance claim there are several things you can bear in mind both before and immediately after an accident or theft:
General good practice
- Keep current dated photographs of your motor bike. This establishes the condition of the bike and provides evidence if needed.
- Understand your insurance policy.
- Keep at least two sets of photocopies of all your bike's papers, one set on the bike. Hand that spare set over to the police when they take the report and you'll know that the numbers all are correct.
- Keep a pen or pencil and small notebook handy in your pocket or on your bike.
A typical claim procedure for motorcycle insurance cover:
We obviously hope you will never need the information below, but it pays to know the procedures in the event of an accident:
Following an accident - do not leave the scene of the accident until you have checked out the following:
- Call the police if anyone is injured or leaves the scene without exchanging details or refuses to give them.
- Get hold of the names and addresses of independent witnesses before they lose interest and leave the scene.
- If you have a camera with you, get pictures before vehicles and property are moved. Also, try and make a sketch plan of the accident while the details are fresh in your mind.
- Ask the other drivers or riders involved for their names and addresses and make a note of their car or bike registration numbers together with the make and model.
- Ask for the name of their insurers and also, if possible, their policy number or certificate number.
- If anyone is injured, produce your certificate of insurance. If you cannot do this at the scene you must produce it at a police station within 24 hours.
- Exchange details with the other person but don't enter into a discussion about what happened.
- Never admit liability, even if you think the accident might have been your fault.
- You must tell your insurers as soon as possible - even if you don't intend to make a claim. This is a condition of your policy.
- Ask your insurers for an accident report form, either online or in the post. When completing the form include as much information as you can.Describe as much as you can about the incident. In the event of an accident, give your insurers the details of any witnesses you managed to obtain.
- If you've had an accident, always check with the claims advisor as to where to take your bike for repairs.
Motorbike Theft
Motorbike theft is a major headache for bike owners and the Motorcycle insurance industry. One of the major reasons for the increase in premiums over recent years has been the increasing level of theft. In the UK a motorbike disappears every 18 minutes and figures now show that almost 60% of new scooters are being stolen.
Security
Use an insurance approved lock and alarm combination. Alarms are useful, but more and more thieves are stealing bikes by lifting them into a van. Attaching your bike to an immobile object with an insurance approved lock will deter most thieves.
Women's Insurance Cover
Some insurance companies will offer a discount to women taking out motorcycle insurance, but it is not a standard cheap policy type as with women's car insurance.
