What Happens if My Friend Borrows and Crashes My Motorcycle?

Motorcycle insurance is straightforward when it comes to the operator. If you own a motorcycle and are involved in an accident, your motorcycle insurance will provide coverage. This depends on the type of coverage offered, but all insurance is based on you operating the motorcycle or vehicle you own.

But what happens when you are not the rider, and your friend crashes your motorcycle? Understanding the fundamental questions of how your insurance works when someone else is driving is important.

What Happens if Someone Else Crashes Your Motorcycle?

If your friend borrows and crashes your motorcycle, the insurance will cover the damages in most cases. This is because motorcycle insurance follows the motorcycle, not the owner. If you have insurance that covers damage to your bike, then it will be paid for by your motorcycle company because your bike was damaged.

However, there are a few exceptions to this general rule. If the damage exceeds the limits of your policy, then your friend’s motorcycle insurance may be used to cover the excess. Usually, your friend’s insurance will cover their injuries, so your insurance policy will not.

If your friend has no insurance, your motorcycle insurance may cover some of the damages but not all.

What if the Person Does Not Have a Valid Driver’s License?

If the person operating the motorcycle during the crash does not have a valid driver’s license, you may be in trouble. This is because not having a valid driver’s license gives the insurance company a reason to lower what they pay on the claim. Plus, your friend may receive a fine for not having a valid driver’s license.

It is assumed by the insurance company that the driver or operator is insured. Even if the accident was not your friend’s fault, the insurance company might only cover a portion of the damages. The illegal operation of the motorcycle is normally listed in the coverage. This provides the insurance company with the ability to deny payment.

Therefore, it is imperative that you better see your friend’s driving license before letting him operate your motorcycle.

Will My Premiums Go Up?

Whether your premiums go up will depend on several factors. For example, if your friend was not at fault, there were no injuries, and the other insurance company covered the cost through liability, then chances are your premiums will not go up. Although that is not a guarantee, other factors, such as your driver’s history, may come into play.

Several factors regulate premiums. The more likely you or your motorcycle will be in an accident, the greater the risk and the higher the premiums. If your friend has a poor driving record, your premiums may rise even if they were not at fault.

Before letting your friend operate your motorcycle, be sure they have a valid driver’s license. In addition, check to see if they have a motorcycle or car insurance that might transfer in case of an accident.