Suppose that one day you wake up to find that your motorcycle has been stolen. You might have parked your bike in your driveway as usual the night before, but during the night a thief struck and made off with the vehicle. That’s probably a horrifying realization to have, and you’ll certainly wonder what you will need to do in order to get the bike back.
If you have motorcycle insurance, then you will likely be able to turn to your policy for assistance following bike theft. However, you must ensure that you have appropriate coverage in the first place if you want to reap the benefits available for theft losses. This will require some attention to detail.
What To Do If Theft Occurs
As soon as you notice that your bike has been stolen, call the police. Tell them that you suspect motorcycle theft and give them a description of the bike (its make, model, color, license plate number etc.). By describing the bike to the dispatcher, the police can start an immediate search for it, even while they are on the way to the scene of the crime.
When they arrive at your home, the police will likely take a statement from you, collect potential evidence and review the scene. During this process, some of the information you should provide them will include:
• Your vehicle registration and license plate numbers
• Information about any modifications or identifying features (like bumper stickers)
• Your photo ID and other contact information
• Verification of motorcycle insurance
• A list of any money or personal items stolen with the bike
As soon as you contact the police, also contact your motorcycle insurer. You can tell them that you have experienced a theft, and that you are in the process of mitigating the issue. Most insurers want to know about theft as soon as possible, even while the investigation is ongoing. Therefore, you won’t face any challenges because you failed to report your claim.
Insurance Coverage for Theft
Because you don’t ever expect your motorcycle to be stolen, theft is an unavoidable or unpreventable hazard that usually merits coverage from your motorcycle insurance. However, to receive compensation for your lost bike, you’ll need a benefit within your policy that is known as comprehensive coverage.
Having comprehensive coverage does not mean that you have a full array of benefits. Comprehensive coverage is a specific benefit on a motorcycle policy that covers physical damage that results from a hazard other than a collision. Theft is one of the hazards that is commonly covered.
Following theft, let your motorcycle insurance company become your advocate. Your carrier will evaluate your claim at the time the incident occurs, and then determine how much they can compensate you for the value of your bike. In the end, they will make sure your loss is not difficult to bear.
