Motorbike Insurance when renting a motorbike?

[bbi1]

If renting a motorbike, is it possible to get insurance to cover any possible damage to the rental motorbike and any other vehicles or property if an accident were to occur? If so, what type of insurance is this?

[MartinL]

1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

If renting a motorbike, is it possible to get insurance to cover any possible damage to the rental motorbike and any other vehicles or property if an accident were to occur? If so, what type of insurance is this?

 

This topic was posted not long ago. It might also apply to bikes - I don't see why it shouldn't but who knows here.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

You may need to contact a Broker about this, although its an execellent idea, its somewhat 'colouring outside the lines' especially for a Motorcycle....

 

I imagine that most 'rental motorcycles' have just the basic government insurance and the rider is going to be held accountable for any damages, which, I assume is what you are attempting to protect yourself from.

 

First option is of course ensure you are licensed to ride a motorcycle in Thailand, as without this, any insurance is void anyway. 

 

 

 

 

 

[CharlieH]

Suggest you speak with either AA Insurance brokers or Roojai Insurance.

[bbi1]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

Suggest you speak with either AA Insurance brokers or Roojai Insurance.

 

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You may need to contact a Broker about this, although its an execellent idea, its somewhat 'colouring outside the lines' especially for a Motorcycle....

 

I actually did ask one of those brokers. Their reply was it's not possible:

 

"Only the owner of the motorbike can insure the vehicle. When you rent you are covered for medical expenses with your travel insurance. All other need to be covered by the insurance of the rental company."

 

Therefore, it seems it's impossible to cover your rental vehicle or any other vehicles or property if there is an accident, unless there's some other way of getting coverage???

 

What actually happens if someone has an accident and hits a Ferrari or Lambo with their rental motorbike? They're on the hook to pay for damages of these supercars out of their own pockets because there's no insurance available to be bought in the first place?

[CharlieH]

21 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

 

I actually did ask one of those brokers. Their reply was it's not possible:

 

"Only the owner of the motorbike can insure the vehicle. When you rent you are covered for medical expenses with your travel insurance. All other need to be covered by the insurance of the rental company."

 

Therefore, it seems it's impossible to cover your rental vehicle or any other vehicles or property if there is an accident, unless there's some other way of getting coverage???

 

What actually happens if someone has an accident and hits a Ferrari or Lambo with their rental motorbike? They're on the hook to pay for damages of these supercars out of their own pockets because there's no insurance available to be bought in the first place?

You need to check your policy as "many" insurance companies will not cover for riding motorcycles in their "travel insurance" 

[soi3eddie]

24 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

What actually happens if someone has an accident and hits a Ferrari or Lambo with their rental motorbike? They're on the hook to pay for damages of these supercars out of their own pockets because there's no insurance available to be bought in the first place?

 

Exactly. Either you pay for the damage or the 3rd party owner uses their insurance (if they have any) to pay for the damage. Guess who's really going to be held liable to pay? Unless you accept the risks, best not to hire in Thailand.

 

[Hummin]

15 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

You need to check your policy as "many" insurance companies will not cover for riding motorcycles in their "travel insurance" 

A good thing to sign up with an additional travel insurance like Safety wing or Genki who do insure motorbike rental who have the necessery certification, use of helmet and so on

[Jimjim1]

17 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I actually did ask one of those brokers. Their reply was it's not possible:

You have actually discovered the answer yourself, you cannot insure a RENTED motorbike, and as others have advised you if you do not have a licence qualifying you to ride a motor bike from your own country and you have an accident your policy will be annulled, there are no ifs or buts about this it is fact.

I will also go further to advise you that if you are qualified and you ask your travel insurer if you are covered they are most likely to tell you you will only be covered if you import your own motorbike from your home country, yes I know stupid or what.

That is the response I received from 3 companies I approached in the UK.

So the upshot is : if you have your own bike and you are qualified you can buy insurance in any country you may wish to travel through which will end the moment you cross over the border and you will have to buy again in the new country.

 

The only proviso is if you buy a bike in Thailand you can buy insurance but again you have to be qualified to drive it ( Thai licence or your own country licence), but again check your position with your health insurance company.

Without it you will simply be a lamb to the slaughter and there is a hell of a lot of slaughter on Thai roads so don’t chance it.

[J Branche]

The other question is What you want the insurance to cover, personal injury, damage to another car, damage to property (building, structure)?  I am not knowledgeable but I believe Theft as long as Renter has the key is the Owners responsibility not Renters.

Others have advised if you are not confident or competent in your safe operation of a motorbike then it is better to hire Taxi, Bolt, take Blue Truck Taxis, etc.

 

You need to factor your ability to prevent injury and avoid hospital bill expense possibility.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Insurers in Thailand do not offer insurance to cover a renter's liability for damage to a motorbike that they rent.

 

Travel insurance offered by offshore insurers usually excludes coverage for third party liability arising out of the use of motor vehicles and would therefore not cover the renter's liability for damages to the rented motorbike itself.

 

The only coverage available to the renter for damage to the motorbike itself and for liability to third parties, would be the insurance that the owner of the motorbike provides.

 

The basic mandatory Por Ror Bor scheme would respond for a limited amount of medical expenses, but may not be adequate or address all liabilities that could arise from an accident. It does not provide any cover for damage to third party property. The voluntary third party liability and physical damage covers may be invalidated for a number of reasons, including exclusions related to commercial use of the vehicle (rental).

 

In my opinion, renting motorbikes in Thailand comes with a large element of risk that can't be transferred.

 

 

[bbi1]

2 hours ago, J Branche said:

The other question is What you want the insurance to cover, personal injury, damage to another car, damage to property (building, structure)?  

Yes, all of those, if possible. Don't need personal injury insurance for myself as travel insurance will cover it with a valid Thai motorbike licence.

[bbi1]

1 hour ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Insurers in Thailand do not offer insurance to cover a renter's liability for damage to a motorbike that they rent.

 

Travel insurance offered by offshore insurers usually excludes coverage for third party liability arising out of the use of motor vehicles and would therefore not cover the renter's liability for damages to the rented motorbike itself.

 

The only coverage available to the renter for damage to the motorbike itself and for liability to third parties, would be the insurance that the owner of the motorbike provides.

 

The basic mandatory Por Ror Bor scheme would respond for a limited amount of medical expenses, but may not be adequate or address all liabilities that could arise from an accident. It does not provide any cover for damage to third party property. The voluntary third party liability and physical damage covers may be invalidated for a number of reasons, including exclusions related to commercial use of the vehicle (rental).

 

In my opinion, renting motorbikes in Thailand comes with a large element of risk that can't be transferred.

 

 

Ok, so it seems that it's really not possible to get the coverage that I was hoping to get.

[Chris1950]

12 hours ago, bbi1 said:

Yes, all of those, if possible. Don't need personal injury insurance for myself as travel insurance will cover it with a valid Thai motorbike licence.

Gold dust! Which company does this. Ive been looking for one for ages.