A motorbike on a trailer…..

[glenn2926]

A question……, if a motorcycle is being transported on a trailer and is damaged in an accident which insurance policy covers it? The bike’s own policy or the towing vehicle’s policy or if it’s the case the third party insurance policy?

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I have started you a fresh thread, so as not to derail the thread about Travel (health) insurance.

Richard

 

[Wapping]

A question though, if a motorcycle is being transported on a trailer and is damaged in an accident which insurance policy covers it?

A trailer and anything on / in it, becomes - as far as Motor insurance is concerned - an integral part of the towing vehicle and subject to the same statutory regulations. The same applies to a roof box or say bicycles carried on the roof or on a rear carrier. If they part company and cause damage or injury to a third party, then the Motor policy pays. That is the real ‘potential very big money’ risk dealt with.

The own damage (ie. first party) is more complex and might well depend on the Motor policy and / or any other policies (Motor or otherwise) you may have in force at the time. The same applies to the theft risk. It’s a safe bet that occurrences like this happen every day, without the world coming to a jangling halt.

For instance, a road haulier, carrying goods in a trailer behind a lorry, will have:

A. Motor insurance covering the prime mover, the trailer and, by extension, the damage the prime mover, the trailer or goods carried cause to a third party.

B. Separate insurance for the loss or damage to the goods being carried, for instance if they are stolen or themselves damaged in some way, whilst in the haulier’s care, custody and control. That risk may well be limited by contract.

 

[DJ123]

They may well agree that it is correct. That doesn’t mean they will change anything. Why would they? Insurance companies exist to make money not to be helpful.
A question though, if a motorcycle is being transported on a trailer and is damaged in an accident which insurance policy covers it? The bike’s own policy or the towing vehicle’s policy or if it’s the case the third party insurance policy?

My understanding (through asking my insurance company), is the Car insurance covers the trailer, and the Motorbike is covered under its own Policy.

 

[Wapping]

My understanding (through asking my insurance company), is the Car insurance covers the trailer, and the Motorbike is covered under its own Policy.

Supposing the motorcycle was, say, a track bike (ie. not used on the public road) and therefore not requiring Motor insurance. What then?

Suppose the track bike was being carried in a van, not tugged along on a trailer. What then?

Suppose it was a modern (normally road legal) but broken down motorcycle, bought at salvage and being carried on a trailer or carried in a van. What then?

Is a motorcycle different to a lounge chair (say) being carried on the roof of a vehicle, or on a trailer or in a van? Or a cow, for that matter, though it’s unlikely to be on the roof. Though I did see live sheep being carried on the roof of a Transit van in Morocco.

It’s not as straightforward as one might imagine.

 

[er-minio]

It’s not as straightforward as one might imagine.

Not at all.
What if the cow is towing the car?

 

[Tinytim]

Not at all.
What if the cow is driving the car?

Questions questions

 

[glenn2926]

Supposing the motorcycle was, say, a track bike (ie. not used on the public road) and therefore not requiring Motor insurance. What then?

Suppose the track bike was being carried in a van, not tugged along on a trailer. What then?

Suppose it was a modern (normally road legal) but broken down motorcycle, bought at salvage and being carried on a trailer or carried in a van. What then?

Is a motorcycle different to a lounge chair (say) being carried on the roof of a vehicle, or on a trailer or in a van? Or a cow, for that matter, though it’s unlikely to be on the roof. Though I did see live sheep being carried on the roof of a Transit van in Morocco.

It’s not as straightforward as one might imagine.

Glad you asked that as I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Mzokk]

Not at all.
What if the cow is towing the car?

In China 2013

 

[DJ123]

Supposing the motorcycle was, say, a track bike (ie. not used on the public road) and therefore not requiring Motor insurance. What then?

Suppose the track bike was being carried in a van, not tugged along on a trailer. What then?

Suppose it was a modern (normally road legal) but broken down motorcycle, bought at salvage and being carried on a trailer or carried in a van. What then?

Is a motorcycle different to a lounge chair (say) being carried on the roof of a vehicle, or on a trailer or in a van? Or a cow, for that matter, though it’s unlikely to be on the roof. Though I did see live sheep being carried on the roof of a Transit van in Morocco.

It’s not as straightforward as one might imagine.

My question was specific to my situation; which involved a road legal Car, road legal trailer and road legal Motorcycle. All registered and owned by me, transported for personal use.

Other situations will differ!

 

[wessie]

Saga car policy: trailer is defined as a single axle job on a 50mm tow hitch but excludes vehicle transporters.
3rd party liability for trailers as defined in the policy and caravans is included
There is an option to extend the own damage and theft cover to a trailer, but not a caravan or vehicle transporter. Trailer contents not covered.

My Devittt bike booklet only mentions trailer in the context of one being towed by the bike. Can't see any exclusion about putting the bike on a trailer but if the bike falls off when being transported it might get tricky in a claim as they might claim negligence in strapping down the bike.

Looks like one might need to be very careful if expecting personal rather than commercial motor insurance to cover bike transport.

 

[Wapping]

Other situations will differ!

Indeed they will.

It does though show the possible danger of someone reading a post and assuming that one person’s truth applies to everyone.