The cost of test rides

[Mrs Busa Pete]

have you read the insurance clouse on those test ride forms or the loaner bike forms from your local bike shop .you are liable for the exese of $2500. But it dosent stop there the insurance company could go you the rest if they wont to .If you are insured check with your company about the extent of your cover before going of to ride 20-30thousand doller bikes the shops dont care:all you need is a licence and they will send you out on any thing even a 1098 or gsxr 1000 your may not have been on a bike for years the old fraze you crash it you own it is nealy true you get charged for it by there insurer you just dont get the bike

[this is not about me it was a conversation at atnr that needed to be posted ]

SO RING YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE YOU TAKE A BIKE OUT TO SEE IF YOU ARE COVERD BY THEM TEMPORY LIKE

[DMNTD]

Oh criiiiiiiiiky...I hope that this isn't about someone I know after a certain incident down this way :pinch:

[AllanB]

Good post as I imagine people tend to thrash test bikes .....:whistle:

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Oh criiiiiiiiiky...I hope that this isn't about someone I know after a certain incident down this way :pinch:

its just a fact shit hapens out there and if your the only vehical in the incident then its your problem this is not a dig at shops .and yes resent events started the conversation

[TimeOut]

Local Kawasaki dealer is $5000 excess

[DMNTD]

its just a fact shit happens out there and if your the only vehical in the incident then its your problem this is not a dig at shops .and yes resent events started the conversation

Oh I didn't think it was a dig at bikes shops but it's interesting to hear about something like this as I don't want to be telling people that it's "only" $2,500.00 when it could end up as more due to circumstance...I hope that "he" isn't in this situation!
I'll be looking into it when I'm back at work.

[Maha]

I'll be looking into it when I'm back at work.

Why you not at work?....is your suit at the Dry Cleaners?......:whistle:

[James Deuce]

Depends on the dealer. Anywhere from $1000 to $5000 apparently.

Bear in mind of course, that 75% of accidents involving a motorcycle and another vehicle are the fault of the other vehicle according to some recent and very dodgy LTNZ statistics.

So in the unlikely event you screw up and have an accident you've only got a 25% chance of being landed with the costs.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Oh I didn't think it was a dig at bikes shops but it's interesting to hear about something like this as I don't want to be telling people that it's "only" $2,500.00 when it could end up as more due to circumstance...I hope that "he" isn't in this situation!
I'll be looking into it when I'm back at work.

pure speculation based on fair go and a certin holden that crashed on a test drive so just a werse case sinareo insurance campanys are only out of poket for a short time will they fined some one or other company to send the bill to

[fergie]

I wonder what would happen if you were test riding a bike in a private sale and had an off?

[Racey Rider]

And the forms normally state that you will not break any road rules.

So if you are 'testing' the bike at over 100kmph on the open road, your basicly Not Insured at all is my understanding.

[RantyDave]

So, let me get this right - the insurance form that you sign at a dealer's prior to test riding is .... of no use whatsoever? Like $2.5 excess for, say, hitting a patch of diesel I can wear. The full price of the bike, not so.

Dave

[PrincessBandit]

So in the unlikely event you screw up and have an accident you've only got a 25% chance of being landed with the costs.

What if the other party responsible for causing 'hypothetical off' doesn't have insurance. We all know someone who has had to carry the can because the person who was at fault didn't have insurance of their own (as far as they're concerned, why should they need it if you've got it :mad: ).
Guess you are right though, it would pay to check the details with your own company as well as looking into what the dealer's "small print" says before jumping on and taking off into the sunset.
A timely post I'm sure!

[Maha]

I wonder what would happen if you were test riding a bike in a private sale and had an off?

Mmmmmmmmm someone is taking mine for a test ride today...I will enquire about his insurance and hope he brings it back....:blink:
Might take a big Honda for a test ride while in Auckland, my insurance is all good....:wari:

[Robbo]

Good post Pete. It certainly does raise an interesting scenario does'nt it and one that i'm sure many of us had never thought about. The figures mentioned probably only cover the insurance excesses on behalf of the bike shops and i'm sure that the insurance company covering it would then go after you personally for the balance of repairs or write off cost.
You would almost be best advised to get a personal liability cover (if such a thing is available) before you go out test riding any motorbike whether from a dealer or a private seller.
Has anyone on here been caught up in this situation at all ??

[Meanie]

Never realy thought to ask the dealer the terms of the insurance to be quite honest
The wife is starting to look around at a bigger bikes so i,ll be sure to look into it before she gets to ride any
Thanks for the heads up, a worth while thread amonst all the crap

[FJRider]

I wonder what would happen if you were test riding a bike in a private sale and had an off?

Cross and very impolite words may be said... of/by/to either party.

[Maha]

Never realy thought to ask the dealer the terms of the insurance to be quite honest
The wife is starting to look around at a bigger bikes so i,ll be sure to look into it before she gets to ride any
Thanks for the heads up, a worth while thread amonst all the crap

A dealer would normally ask you sign a document surely?
They have done so to me in the past.
The excess varied from shop to shop I might add, I think $1500 was the dearest but it was two years ago.

[sosman]

Damn! So if i crash one i don't get to own one

[McJim]

The excess will depend on how much the bike shop wanted to pay for their policy. (and it's got to be some policy - cover ANY rider regardless of history on ANY bike so long as they have a full licence. Wow.).

As for the private sale thing. Have a 3rd party you both trust to hold the cash while the potential purchaser takes the bike for a ride. If it gets dropped the seller gets the cash an the buyer bought the wreck.

[placidfemme]

Yeah $2500 is about average for test rides (and sometimes loner bikes too)... Also for the more expensive bikes some shops are installing GPS trackers that can be monitered from the shop while your riding the bike. Tells them everything, including speed, updated once or twice a minute...

Big brother is always watching... and covering his own ass...

[rainman]

So does this also apply to a loaner bike the shop gives you while they're servicing yours?

Never looked at the small print. But will do so when this happens next week...

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Good post Pete. It certainly does raise an interesting scenario does'nt it and one that i'm sure many of us had never thought about. The figures mentioned probably only cover the insurance excesses on behalf of the bike shops and i'm sure that the insurance company covering it would then go after you personally for the balance of repairs or write off cost.
You would almost be best advised to get a personal liability cover (if such a thing is available) before you go out test riding any motorbike whether from a dealer or a private seller.
Has anyone on here been caught up in this situation at all ??

this could be its own thread but any way what if the structure of insurance changed like this we have 2 cars 3 bikes now if the rider or driver was insured not the car or bike for argument sake then you could pay for fire and the likes
on the vehical and road related clames by the driver/rider liadilaty policy

[James Deuce]

What if the other party responsible for causing 'hypothetical off' doesn't have insurance. We all know someone who has had to carry the can because the person who was at fault didn't have insurance of their own (as far as they're concerned, why should they need it if you've got it :mad: ).
Guess you are right though, it would pay to check the details with your own company as well as looking into what the dealer's "small print" says before jumping on and taking off into the sunset.
A timely post I'm sure!
Err.

A reply that was a touch too serious perhaps?

If you aren't happy with the bike shop's insurance then don't test ride them or take a loaner.

[Robbo]

this could be its own thread but any way what if the structure of insurance changed like this we have 2 cars 3 bikes now if the rider or driver was insured not the car or bike for argument sake then you could pay for fire and the likes
on the vehical and road related clames by the driver/rider liadilaty polacy

Now that's an interesting thought and it makes great sense. If we as indivuals have an insurance policy that covers us for all situations (a bit like having public liability) so that we are fully covered for what we are riding or driving provided that we are licensed correctly to do so and are not breaking any laws or rules then that would make great financial sense as currently we have to have insurance on each and every vehicle that we own and operate.
Just a thought i guess but probably would'nt be accepted by the insurance companies as it would mean less money in premium payments.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

just rang my insurance company and i am not coverd for the test ride only the third party damage .if i get a loner from holeshot for my 24k service i am insured on that in full if i ring them up from the shop before leaving at no charge

[Trudes]

Interesting, thanks Pete. Knew there was a reason I don't like test riding as a fun thing to do on a Saturday!!

[alanzs]

Great post. I never let anyone ride my bike, even when selling it. I'll meet you at the mechanics if you want, you can sit on the back if you want, but unless I have the money in cash, in hand before you ride it, you aren't riding it. This was back in the US.
Why the hard line you may ask? Years ago, while selling a bike a guy took it for a test ride and scraped the pipe. After a looong hassle (threats of violence, lawsuits, etc..), basically all I got was a big "I'm sorry." Lesson learnt. Had to reduce the price eventually to cover for what was a pristine bike.
I tend to agree with the saying "If you break it, you bought it." Totally reasonable as far as I am concerned.
So, what do YOU do to protect yourself if selling your bike privately here? I'd like to find out, as I may be selling my bike in the near future.

[Kornholio]

Just do what I do and hand over Gordon's license so when the inevitable happens run(or crawl) like fuck and let him worry about it :p

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Just do what I do and hand over Gordon's license so when the inevitable happens run(or crawl) like fuck and let him worry about it :p

nah tryed that but they knew who he was........

[Renegade]

Now that's an interesting thought and it makes great sense. If we as indivuals have an insurance policy that covers us for all situations (a bit like having public liability) so that we are fully covered for what we are riding or driving provided that we are licensed correctly to do so and are not breaking any laws or rules then that would make great financial sense as currently we have to have insurance on each and every vehicle that we own and operate.
Just a thought i guess but probably would'nt be accepted by the insurance companies as it would mean less money in premium payments.

its great for driving related claims but say some one stole ya bike and ya car off the front lawn, you wouldnt be covered unless you had vehicle cover which would mean a vehcile premiumon top of a personal premium :blink:

im surprised or should i say i shouldnt be so surprised that shops insurance companys would stitch people up like they do, i thought you just paid the excess, may have to reconsider taking bikes for test rides in future :angry:

[Robbo]

its great for driving related claims but say some one stole ya bike and ya car off the front lawn, you wouldnt be covered unless you had vehicle cover which would mean a vehcile premiumon top of a personal premium :blink:

im surprised or should i say i shouldnt be so surprised that shops insurance companys would stitch people up like they do, i thought you just paid the excess, may have to reconsider taking bikes for test rides in future :angry:

Good point Renegade and one i had overlooked, so therefore the existing system needs to remain as it is i suppose. Rather scarey though as Pete has said he phoned his insurance company to clarify this matter and found that he was'nt covered for test rides.
As a matter of interest, how many of us actually require a test ride before purchasing your bike? I have always either ordered mine in or bought it directly off the shop floor without a test ride. This has been based on the make and model of bike and my past experience with the brand and knowing what i wanted and i have never been disappointed with any of my purchases as yet.
Any one else do it this way or is a test ride essential for you?
Cheers

[Owl]

My insurance policy covers me for test rides whether the bike is owned by a dealer or privately.
Most policies also have an "Additions & Deletions" clause, which covers you if you purchase another bike or trade in your bike on another one. This has provisos in it, like paying additional premium, notifying insurer within so many days, and a maximum sum insured depending on each policy.

[Coyote]

On what grounds is an insurance company allowed to come after the person that damaged the vehicle? If the insurance company insured the vehicle as a test vehicle and understood it wouldn't be ridden by the owner, they morally should pay out.

Though morals don't have much to do with insurance...

[alanzs]

As a matter of interest, how many of us actually require a test ride before purchasing your bike? I have always either ordered mine in or bought it directly off the shop floor without a test ride. This has been based on the make and model of bike and my past experience with the brand and knowing what i wanted and i have never been disappointed with any of my purchases as yet.
Any one else do it this way or is a test ride essential for you?
Cheers

No, it's not essential. I have purchased a few bikes off the floor of a dealer without a test ride and never been unhappy. I have also bought a few with having a test ride, and wasn't unhappy either.
One bike that I was unsure of getting, I ended up buying, as the test ride sold me.
I also think when you ride into a dealer on a bike, have a motorcycle license and aren't 18 years old, they take you a little more seriously.

I have gone to shops here and they'll try to get me to test ride a bike, but I don't as if I'm not going to buy it, it's just a waste of their and my time. I was in sales for many years and time wasters are a pain in th ass, so I respect their sales pitch, but decline the ride, even though I may want to. I was lusting after a B-King a few weeks ago and the dealer wanted me to ride it, but I had no real intenetion of buying it, so I politely refused. :Playnice:

[barty5]

My insurance policy covers me for test rides whether the bike is owned by a dealer or privately.
Most policies also have an "Additions & Deletions" clause, which covers you if you purchase another bike or trade in your bike on another one. This has provisos in it, like paying additional premium, notifying insurer within so many days, and a maximum sum insured depending on each policy.

i was going to point this out our policy has a 48 day clause to advise them of any new vehicle so guess it would be a case of have bike shop sell you bike and advise insurance co of the crash although dont know i would want to test this out for real but i will ask when speaking to them next week in a "what if manner"

[Owl]

i was going to point this out our policy has a 48 day clause to advise them of any new vehicle so guess it would be a case of have bike shop sell you bike and advise insurance co of the crash although dont know i would want to test this out for real but i will ask when speaking to them next week in a "what if manner"

I just heard of a case where a lady bought a vehicle, forgot to insure it, had an accident after owning the vehicle for nearly 3 months (90 day limit) and then claimed on her other vehicle policy.

[Meanie]

I just heard of a case where a lady bought a vehicle, forgot to insure it, had an accident after owning the vehicle for nearly 3 months (90 day limit) and then claimed on her other vehicle policy.

How do you forget to insure a vehicle ?

[Owl]

How do you forget to insure a vehicle ?

Not too sure Meanie, but I understand it was a farm policy, so she may have had several vehicles.
My own bike policy has pretty poor wording in that area (10 day limit), but it has the advantage of providing a seperate wording, specifically covering me for riding someone elses bike.

[Patch]

If you crash a test bike, why not just buy the damn thing (obviously for what the sticker price was) an fix it, provided you are able to walk/talk after such incident. Dealer won't mind, less paper work for them.


Test riding for the hell of it, is very risky. Hence I won't do it.

[Matt_TG]

On what grounds is an insurance company allowed to come after the person that damaged the vehicle? If the insurance company insured the vehicle as a test vehicle and understood it wouldn't be ridden by the owner, they morally should pay out.

Though morals don't have much to do with insurance...

Morality aside the Insurance Co's have the right to pursue costs because of a process known as subrogation.

This means they take on all the rights of the owner, as if they were the owner - which includes being able to try and get the money back. I see it this way : If it wasn't insured elsewhere the bike shop would pursue the test rider to pay ..they just wouldn't say "she'll be right mate, shit happens, take another bike". Subrogation is a standard doctrine of insurance practice.

The circumstances of the crash can matter too. Depends if it's your fault or not.

It can get messy though as to what is insured and when it's insured. There is usually a blanket cover on vehicles that are stock and could be used as a test ride bike - then some bikes are the subject of a finance arrangement, they could be on loan from the dealer, could be part of a bailment agreement and so on. Usually dealers don't own the new bikes on their lot for a certain time period, but are responsible to insure and look after them.

I don't know what the answer is, maybe see if your insurer will extend liability cover for test rides - specifically for the bike itself, not just other people's property you may hit whilst on the bike, double check the limit of your liability with the dealer at the time (ensure that it is just for their excess - maybe see if you are mentioned as the 'insured' rider at the time you are riding it).

Sorta takes some of the edge of test riding :(

[Meanie]

Sorta takes some of the edge of test riding :(

Yea it does but its dam good advice

[sefer]

I just heard of a case where a lady bought a vehicle, forgot to insure it, had an accident after owning the vehicle for nearly 3 months (90 day limit) and then claimed on her other vehicle policy.

Most, if not all, comprehensive car insurance policies will cover you for any vehicle your driving providing you have a full licence and are over 25 (and probably even on a restricted/under 25, but I'm neither so I can't say for sure). Of course it won't cover the car if stolen, hit on the side of the road etc, only when your driving it.

[Owl]

Most, if not all, comprehensive car insurance policies will cover you for any vehicle your driving providing you have a full licence and are over 25 (and probably even on a restricted/under 25, but I'm neither so I can't say for sure). Of course it won't cover the car if stolen, hit on the side of the road etc, only when your driving it.

We're talking about two different things dude.

I’m talking about the “Additions & Deletions” clause.
This lady's car would have been covered in those situations! She had 90 days from the day of purchase to contact the insurance company and get cover on this vehicle, because of her existing policy on another vehicle. She had to pay back-dated premiums to the day of purchase, but she WAS covered!

[cowboyz]

If you crash a test bike, why not just buy the damn thing (obviously for what the sticker price was) an fix it, provided you are able to walk/talk after such incident. Dealer won't mind, less paper work for them.



who wants to buy a bike that is faulty and doesnt handle well. Afterall, if it crashed it must have been the bikes fault.

[Racey Rider]

So what we're saying is,,
By signing the insurance cover part of the test ride paperwork,, 'We' are Not getting Any insurance cover for US at all!
All we are doing is forfulling the obligations for the Shop to have cover,, Not Us (the rider)!

[Coyote]

Morality aside the Insurance Co's have the right to pursue costs because of a process known as subrogation.

etc.
Geez. No wonder their investors make so much money.

So what we're saying is,,
By signing the insurance cover part of the test ride paperwork,, 'We' are Not getting Any insurance cover for US at all!
All we are doing is forfulling the obligations for the Shop to have cover,, Not Us (the rider)!
I was about to ask that rhetorically too.

[raftn]

Good thread certainly raises some questions...........

[Mrs Busa Pete]

So what we're saying is,,
By signing the insurance cover part of the test ride paperwork,, 'We' are Not getting Any insurance cover for US at all!
All we are doing is forfulling the obligations for the Shop to have cover,, Not Us (the rider)!

Basically that is the case....