Pillion insurance

[red1]

When I renewed my insurance I was asked if I would be carrying a pillion. I don't so the answer was no.
My question is, if I do carry a pillion, say a mate breaks down and I take him home, and we have a spill and he's hurt, probably he's not covered, but am I riding uninsured, or is it just the pillion that's not covered?

from the dark side this was sent

 

[Bryn]

To be sure I'd ask your insurance company.... the crux of the matter is that if you get stopped by the police, or you are involved in a collision....they may check your insurance ... and it may say that you are not covered for pillions... if that happens the interpretation could be that you are not riding under the terms of your insurance. That could possibly lead to them having your bike away...doubtful, but possible....Are you asking because your mate is riding a WC GS ? .

 

[Wapping]

You would be riding the bike illegally on the road, as you would have no insurance. In a word or more: Don't be tempted to do it, irrespective.

If caught, in say a (rare) roadside check by the police and you were unlucky, they could remove the vehicle from you and prosecute you. Why? Because you are riding uninsured. Don't say to the officer "Yeah, but when me mate gets off (like wot he is now) I is now insured, so feck you" as it will only earn you a justifiably swift kick in the nuts. (RTA sub clause 3, section 17, amended: 'Dealing with cnuts')

Should you be as unfortunate enough as to have a spill, your pillion (if they are badly injured enough, or just because they can) will very probably sue you. If they are long term injured, so as to be unable to work or killed, be very sure that their nearest and dearest most definitely will sue you for damages. They will not care one jot if the pillion was your best mate of 30 years or your brother. Either way, the law and the police are now involved and everyone is taking a lot of interest in YOU. You'll be regretting your kindhearted act, trust me.

 

[Bobster]

It is highly unlikely that the police would know if you were insured to carry a passenger or not. They only have limited access and certainly not the underwriting file. However, although you are insured to Ride said bike you would make your insurance 'void or voidable' as soon as you carried a passenger. If you had a crash and it was your fault the insurance would be able to refuse to pay out. Even worse your mate would soon become your worst enemy and sue the Arse off you personally. Think you understand what I am saying!

As soon as you were under the spotlight the police would probably find out about the passenger aspect, with the obvious results. My earlier comments referred to a routine check not a full investigation. It's far cheaper to cough up at policy inception. Compared to cars I still think bike insurance is cheap.

 

[phillh]

I am insured with Hastings, my premium was the same with or without pillion cover so I
went for it just in case. I don't usually take pillions but it gives that flexibility in case of
a breakdown.

 

[red1]

As I said I don't now ride with a pillion but was interested in the legality.


from the dark side this was sent

 

[Neil W]

Roadside check on PNC or even by phone to MIB would be unlikely to reveal if you were insured to carry a pillion, but if you had an accident and your mate ended up with injuries especially life changing ones or even worse was killed you would be royally f***ed , wave goodbye to your home and belongings in the ensuing compensation claim .

 

[sven]

I've had a policy corrected when they sent the paperwork through without pillion cover and it made no difference to the premium.

Why not take the cover just in case you need it if it's free?

 

[Fullchat]

Your policy will always cover a minimum of 3rd party risks, which a pillion passenger is. However once the insurance company discovered that you were not complying with the conditions of your policy they would not pay out for bike damage. Potentially they could also try and recover any compensation paid out from the policy holder.
A policy is always valid for third party risks until cancelled in writing.
Think in terms of boy racers, or anyone infact, who modifies their vehicles but does not declare to the insurance company. Same applies.

 

[Wapping]

There is a difference between driving without insurance and driving uninsured. If anyone wants to find out, scrap your pillion insurance, carry your mate, injure him and add in a nice third party vehicle and person for the sake of amusement. Then debate the lot at length with the assorted bods who will be only to pleased to see the cnut on the awesome steed suffer.

Just buy (or just as likely get given free) the pillion extension and not trouble yourself any further.

 

[Matty589]

I was stopped on the way to work just before Christmas by police doing a routine insurance check. My policy included commuting but they were ready to impound my bike because they couldn't see this on the MIB. Luckily a quick call to my insurers sorted it - be aware that even though your broker tells you you're insured the MIB may not be 100% accurate. They also asked if I take a passenger so you bet if you get stopped carrying someone they will check this and can take your bike.

 

[Frequentflyer]

How did they know you were commuting?

 

[Wapping]

....he was on his way to work. The rest they used their special telepathic powers on.... Or he told them....

 

[Matty589]

Er... It was 7.30am on a weekday

 

[Yellow Peril]

This pillion malarkey is a right rip off, they never ask if you carry passengers in a bloody car.