Say you have a comprehensive, full coverage motorcycle insurance policy as an affordable price. Your closest friend asks if they can take your bike for a spin around the block. You trust them and hand over the keys. On their way back, however, a small UPS truck turns the
corner and hits them. Your friend is fine, but the left side of your bike is damaged. Is your bike covered even though you weren’t driving it?
The easy answer is yes.
Even if someone else is operating your motorcycle, your insurance policy should step in to handle the damages as long as you have the right coverage. Full coverage typically includes:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage covers accidents involving fire, wind, hail, theft, vandalism and more.
- Collision Coverage: Collision coverage compensates for damages to the motorcycle due to a collision with another vehicle or object.
- Liability: Liability insurance steps in if you cause bodily injury or property damage to someone else while operating the insured motorcycle.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage compensates for damages that occur as a result of a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Personal Injury Protection: Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, provides compensation for medical expenses to the driver and their passengers after an accident.
There are exclusions to most policies, however. If your policy has a list of excluded drivers, and that driver gets in an accident while operating your bike with permission, the accident will not be covered. Excluded drivers are people you have labeled on your policy as exclusions. Some insurance agencies may include other high-risk drivers in your household on the list of exclusions.
Will My Friend’s Insurance Cover Them on My Bike?
It’s unlikely a friend operating your motorcycle will need to file a claim with their insurance agency after an accident, especially if they do not carry motorcycle insurance. If they have a personal liability insurance policy, however, they may use it in case of a lawsuit.
What if I Crash My Bike with a Passenger?
Another common coverage for motorcycle insurance is guest passenger liability. Guest passenger liability steps in if you cause an accident while they are riding with you on the insured motorcycle. Accidents that are not caused by you are not covered under this insurance and should be handled through your personal injury protection or medical expense coverage.
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