Motorcycle accident claims with Caser Expat Insurance

A motorcycle is undoubtedly the most convenient form of personal transport, especially in a busy city such as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia. Cities are always loaded with traffic, and the recent addition of eco-zones in many cities in Spain make taking a car into the centre even more problematic. Parking is expensive, you might run the risk of getting fined if you get stuck in a bus lane or other such scenario, and it can, of course, be stressful. All in all, generally more trouble than it's worth. A moped or motorbike is therefore a great alternative. Nippy, cheap on fuel, and easy (and usually free) to park.

As with any vehicle, getting the right insurance policy is essential. There are the usual types of insurance i.e. Fully comprehensive or 3^rd Party insurance of course, but within a policy the benefits of your coverage can vary widely depending on the company you opt for. The cost of your coverage is obviously an important factor. However, a thorough investigation of the benefits offered when choosing your insurance provider can maximise the value you receive for the fee you pay in the event of motorcycle accident claims on your policy. Here we’ll point out some things you should be on the look out for and I’ll point you in the right direction for where to find the same deals I have.

Motorcycle insurance typically comes in three main types: third-party, third-party with theft (also known as third-party, fire, and theft), and fully comprehensive insurance. Each type provides different levels of coverage.

Basic Third-Party Insurance

This is the minimum legal requirement in Spain. It covers damage or injury you cause to third parties – i.e. other people and their vehicle or property. It does not cover any damage to your own motorcycle or injuries you personally sustain.

Here are some examples: 

1. 1. Accident with Another Vehicle: If you accidentally hit another vehicle, third-party insurance covers the cost of repairs to the other vehicle. However, it won't cover repairs to your motorcycle.
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3. 2. Property Damage: If you knock down a fence with your motorcycle, the policy covers the cost to repair the fence but not any damage to your bike.
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5. 3. Injury to Others: If you cause an accident that injures a pedestrian, the insurance covers their medical expenses, but not your own.

• Limitations: It cannot be used for theft of your motorcycle, fire damage, or any damage to your own motorcycle nor medical expenses for your own injuries.

Third-Party, Fire and Theft Insurance

This includes everything in third-party insurance, plus coverage for your motorcycle if it's stolen or damaged by fire.

1. 1. Motorcycle Theft: If your motorcycle is stolen, the policy covers its replacement or compensation for its value.
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3. 2. Fire Damage: If your bike is damaged in a garage fire, this insurance covers repairs or replacement.
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5. 3. Accident Causing Injury to Others: Like third-party insurance, it covers injury to others in an accident you cause, but not your own injuries or motorcycle damage in an accident.
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• Limitations: It doesn't cover accidental damage to your own motorcycle in a collision that is deemed to be your fault.

Fully Comprehensive Insurance

This provides broader coverage, including third-party, theft, fire, and accidental damage to your motorcycle. This might include:

1. 1. Single-Vehicle Accident: If you accidentally crash your bike into a tree, comprehensive insurance covers repairs to your motorcycle.
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3. 2. Vandalism: If your motorcycle is vandalized, this policy covers repair costs.
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5. 3. Uninsured Driver Collision: If you are hit by an uninsured driver, comprehensive insurance covers your motorcycle’s repair costs.

• Limitations: Generally, this insurance does not cover intentional damage, or injuries sustained while breaking the law, like racing.
  
  

Something to point out here is that the features detailed here of Fully Comprehensive cover therefore are not available to holders of 3^rd party-type insurance. That may seem blindingly obvious, but it’s surprising how often people are surprised that a feature such as being hit by an uninsured driver is not covered in their 3^rd party policy. Don’t assume something is covered unless it is explicitly detailed.

Each insurance type varies in cost and coverage, so choosing the right one depends on the risks you want to cover and the value of your motorcycle.

Further considerations

So, let’s imagine you are unfortunate enough to have to claim on your motorcycle insurance due to accident, theft or damage. What are the features of a policy which could make the process easier? Some of those points of cover come as standard on certain policies and some are optional extras. Here are a few to consider.

• Any company you choose to insure you must be accessible and provide a good customer experience. Paperwork and administrative formalities are part of any insurance policy. If you need to open a new claim, is it accessible and easy to do? If you need to find the nearest garage for your insurance-covered repairs, can you contact someone immediately and get the information you need? With all motorcycle accident claims there will be an element of stress just because of the unfortunate situation you are in. Make sure your insurer has done everything possible to mitigate that stress and provide a top-notch service to you. Therefore, when setting up your policy be inquisitive, and ask lots of questions to ensure there are no surprises later down the road. If a provider’s customer service doesn’t come up to scratch, go elsewhere. You can have the best policy on paper in the world, but if you can’t make a claim, then it’s pointless.
  
  

• Make sure your insurer offers adequate legal support. You would expect an insurer to give you legal guidance and defend you in any situation to have arisen as a result of using the insured vehicle. You should expect access to judicial and extrajudicial legal assistance in administrative or legal proceedings arising from a traffic accident. A good insurance company should assume the costs as a result of legal proceedings in scenarios such as claims for damages, criminal defence, and defence in administrative traffic sanctions and fines.
  
  

Break down coverage

Break down coverage is absolutely essential, and the cover offered can vary hugely from policy to policy. Make sure you can call on roadside assistance for the most common occurrences, such as repairing a puncture or breakdown due to a mechanical issue of course. But also, for more trivial issues such as running out of fuel. Many of us have done it, I know I have. And you might imagine that such an occurrence (which if we are honest is avoidable and kind of our own fault) wouldn’t be covered by roadside assistance. However, many policies name this as a part of the coverage.

Getting a simple mechanical issue fixed without having to be taken to a garage can save all sorts of inconvenience. Good coverage should mention the intention to get you back on the road immediately, including doing simple repairs at the roadside if possible.

If you do need to be taken to a garage it’s important the insurer offers flexibility in the service provider. Some insurers can be sticklers for which garage you can use and will refuse to pay out if you don’t jump through hoops. Find an insurer who will allow you to choose the garage you prefer.

Check out the Caser network of garages here:Premium Garages & Authorised Repairer Network | Caser Expats (caserexpatinsurance.com)

Look for an insurer who guarantees a quick response to your requests when trying to get advice or approval. This again comes down to good customer service. Make sure you can communicate easily with your insurance company, be It through their platform or by phone. If your bike is off the road, you could face real inconvenience so quick turn-around times are essential.

Hopefully you will never have a crash which results in damage to your vehicle, or more seriously to you, a passenger, or anyone else. You need a policy which explicitly states that you have medical and liability cover. A good policy should state that it will give you and a passenger, as well as any 3^rd parties involved, medical assistance.

If you are unsure of everything that is covered medical and liability cover, ask someone directly at your potential insurance company. This can be a great litmus test as to the knowledge and customer service skills of the employees of an insurance company. The person assisting you should be able to tell you where to find the specific points mentioned in the company’s literature and in your policy. It’s worth being meticulous when taking out your policy. A good insurer and its staff should be more than capable of providing all the details you need.

A great new feature some automotive insurers are offering is the ability to identify when you have been involved in an accident and have medical assistance sent to you automatically. Being that a motorcyclist usually travels alone this state-of-the-art wizardry could actually save your life. The insurer Caser call this Smart Alert-ReMoto. Other companies use different names for the service, but also offer it. I think that option is really important for any policy nowadays.

Caser Seguros offers an excellent service for motorbikes and all your automotive needs and seems to cover all the points I have mentioned. Communication couldn’t be easier as you can find assistance in English at the end of the phone from one of their highly trained agents, which for non-native Spanish speakers can really make the difference in feeling confident about not only procuring an insurance policy, but also in making a claim further down the road.

Enjoy your biking experience every day, safe in the knowledge that you are covered in the event of the unthinkable.