All motorcycle insurance formulas available on the market do not necessarily include a guarantee against theft. The latter is often optional or included only in the higher formulas.
- The third-party formula is the least expensive cover, covering the motorcyclist in Civil Liability for the damage he could cause to third parties (even if the machine is stopped). No theft guarantee is included in this formula.
- The RC guarantee constitutes the legal minimum of compulsory motorcycle insurance in France, even if the 2 wheels never roll.
- In the intermediate formula, the insured can opt for a theft guarantee if it is not automatically included.
- In all risks, it will necessarily be, in the same way (in general) as the personal guarantee of the driver or even that the guarantee all damages (compensation for damage suffered by the motorcycle even in the event of a responsible accident).
In the absence of theft insurance, you will not receive any compensation from your insurer if your machine disappears. In view of the risks, we can therefore only advise you to join it, if your budget allows it, and in particular if your motorcycle has a significant value.
Why insure your motorcycle against theft in Paris?
According to statistics, the majority of thefts of two-wheelers take place in urban areas, outdoors (on public roads), and mostly at night. In more than 80% of cases, the stolen motorcycles were nevertheless equipped with a lock.
In Paris and Ile-de-France, the risks are greater than anywhere else in France according to recent studies. One of the main justifications lies in the fact that, in the top 10 of two-wheelers that disappear the most, we find many scooters, very represented in Paris.
In all cases, take all useful measures to reduce the risk of theft: certified anti-theft device (U-shaped, chain, etc.), engraving, disk block, parking in a private garage, or attaching to a fixed point if the machine is “sleeping” in the street…
If you have a theft guarantee, the insurer will ask you to take your precautions anyway thanks to one of these security systems. Your compensation in the event of a claim depends on it.
In view of the figures, it is essential to ensure your motorcycle is against theft in Paris-IDF than elsewhere, either in an intermediate formula or (which we recommend) via an all-risk formula.
Can you insure a dirt bike against theft?
A motocross (TT, enduro, trial, etc.) may or may not be approved for use on French roads. Be that as it may, you will still have to prove, at a minimum, a Civil Liability guarantee for the damage that you could cause to third parties (bodily injury, material, and immaterial damage).
If you are licensed for the practice of motocross with an affiliated club FFM (Fédération Française de Motocyclisme), you will automatically benefit from an RC for practice on the circuit / private ground of the structure.
You may very well want to extend your theft coverage for a dirt bike, just as you might for a sports car or a roadster. Indeed, even if it is parked in a closed garage, the risks of home-jacking do exist. You will then have to subscribe to a specific insurance contract with, very often, a specialized insurer.
The choice of whether or not to protect your motorcycle against theft will depend, among other things, on its market value. If you bought it new or at a high price, you will have every interest in covering it against theft, fire, explosion…
How to subscribe to the best motorcycle insurance with a theft guarantee?
The motorcycle insurance market is dense. A large number of players share it: general or specialized insurers, banks, mutual organizations, etc. It is difficult to find a contract with the best quality/ price ratio for motorcycle insurance coverage. However, it remains essential to put several quotes in competition.
Our tool studies the market for you on the basis of your needs (desired guarantees, type of two-wheeler to cover, driver profile, etc.), with regard to purely objective criteria, such as in particular:
- The premium level,
- The quality of the guarantees included,
- The number of deductibles,
- Services included.
What to do if your motorcycle is stolen?
If your two-wheeler is stolen, you will have to act quickly, otherwise, the compensation you could obtain will be reduced or called into question.
- First, keep all the evidence of the loss: photos, broken lock, forced garage door… This will allow you to build a solid file for the insurer.
- Then, you must, within 24 hours of the finding, file a complaint with a police station or a gendarmerie. In addition to the fact that this maximizes your chances of the motorcycle being found, this formality relieves you of the damage that the thief on the handlebars of your machine could cause (failing this, your liability could be retained).
- Within 48 hours, notify your insurer (according to the procedure provided for in the general conditions of your contract, whether in an agency, by telephone, online, etc.) Do so even if you are not covered against theft, so that any damage caused by the thief has no impact on your reduction coefficient – personal increase.
- Subsequently, send to the insurance company, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, a handwritten letter specifying the circumstances of the theft, accompanied by the evidence, the receipt of the complaint, and the original invoices if a protection device was required. (SRA anti-theft device, engraving, etc.).
In the event of theft of your motorcycle, respecting the deadlines set out here is very important. If he proves that the non-observance of the procedure has caused him harm, the insurer may seek not to compensate you.
What will be the compensation in case of theft of your motorcycle?
In the event of the disappearance of your two-wheeler, you will in principle be compensated quickly by the insurer, if of course, you have subscribed beforehand to a theft guarantee and that you do not fall into a case of exclusion (keys left on the contacts, for example…).
Compensation should normally take place within 30 days of the declaration of the loss.
The amount of compensation will depend on the market value of your vehicle on the day of the accident. This will be assessed by a professional appointed by the insured: we speak of value to be said by an expert. The insurer will then offer you compensation up to this amount (unless you have a replacement value guarantee), minus any motorcycle insurance deductible.
If your motorcycle is found:
- Before compensation (following the filing of a complaint): you will recover it and will be compensated for the recovery and repair costs assessed by the expert.
- After you have received the money, you will have 2 options: recover your vehicle (and reimburse the insurer) or keep the amount of compensation (the two-wheeler will then be transferred to the insurer).
The theft of wheels and tires independent of the body of the motorcycle is not covered by all motorcycle insurance contracts. Check the general conditions / your particular conditions. It will be the same for the theft of equipment.
What to do if you do not agree with the compensation offered by the insurer?
The expert mandated by the insurer has the task of evaluating, in all objectivity, the market value of your two-wheeler on the day of the accident. He will rely on this on several elements (year, model, use, mileage, repairs carried out, etc.).
In the end, your company will make you a compensation offer, which you are free to accept or refuse.
If the amount seems unreasonable to you, you can request a second opinion by dispatching your own expert. The counter-expertise is entirely at your expense.
If the two experts agree, you will have to accept the proposed amount.
On the other hand, in the absence of an amicable agreement, third expertise may be requested. Its cost will be shared between the insurer and you.
Beyond that, you will have no choice but to initiate legal proceedings.
If you benefit from a legal protection contract (an independent contractor or through your car or motorcycle insurance), you will be able to benefit from support and coverage (up to a certain amount) of your costs. trial by the insurer (lawyer’s fees, procedural costs, ancillary costs, etc.).
What are the conditions for protecting your motorcycle against theft?
The vast majority of motorcycle insurers have their own conditions regarding theft cover. In order for it to be activated in the event of a claim, you must comply with the terms of the contract. These vary widely from company to company.
In concrete terms, these are “elementary” precautions that the insured must take to reduce the risk of theft. If you cannot prove that you have complied with them, your compensation may be reduced or refused.
Here are some of the main security features that you may be asked to provide, knowing that some companies may require more than one:
- A certified anti-theft device: SRA (Security and Automotive Repair) or NF-FFMC approved. These will usually be U-locks or chains,
- The engraving or marking of your motorcycle,
- Parking in a closed car park (and not on the public road),
- The installation of an alarm,
- Installing a tracker.
Keep all the invoices for the means of protection paid. For example, proof of purchase of your anti-theft device will be systematically requested in the event of a claim.