Here’s What to Do If Your Motorcycle Rental is Stolen

Motorcycles are frequent targets of theft because they are easy to access, hide, and transport. Unlike cars, motorcycles have a higher resale value. Though sometimes the whole vehicle is stolen, sometimes thieves will only take the most expensive parts to make quick cash. In the United States, the rate of motorcycle thefts is higher compared to the rate of car thefts.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, about 985 motorcycles were stolen in 2020 and the number of incidents has been growing at an alarming rate in recent years.

Losing your personal motorcycle to a thief is already troublesome, but losing a motorcycle rental to a thief’s target can result in an outrageous bill.

Purchasing motorcycle rental insurance from a motorcycle rental company may provide some leeway, but you would still have to pay for liability costs. Moreover, if you delay paying for the lost motorcycle rental, then the bill may drastically increase over time. Hence, it is essential that you act quickly as soon as you realize your motorcycle rental has been stolen.

Often, renters take responsibility for their motorcycle rentals being stolen. Out of fear and anxiety, they may not inform the rental service and law enforcement immediately. Delaying contacting the proper authorities will result in a higher bill.

If you discover that your motorcycle rental has been stolen, understand that it is not your fault. Just stay calm and make sure to follow the steps listed below:

Upon finding out that your motorcycle rental is missing, immediately call the police and report the incident. Make sure you inform the police that the motorcycle was a rental and that it was stolen while in your possession. Make sure to also provide necessary details about the motorcycle, your rental contract, and liability coverage.

If you had rented a touring bike and left your possessions in the saddlebags, make sure you inform the police about your stolen belongings as well. Even if you lose something as small as your helmet or sunglasses, make sure you bring that to the police’s attention.

Calling the police first is a standard requirement for all motorcycle rental services and will prove that you were not responsible for the incident. Reporting the stolen vehicle immediately will allow the police to start a trace. Moreover, it will prevent the motorcycle rental service from canceling your liability coverage.

Do not call the rental service before calling the police as the motorcycle rental service will demand a police complaint number.

Once you report to the police department, inform the motorcycle rental service about the theft. You will need to request for the motorcycle's identification number and license plate number as the police will need this information when filing a report regarding this incident.

Upon calling the motorcycle rental’s number, you may get the following options:

Report theft or loss

If your motorcycle rental or its parts were stolen and you were unable to recover them, then report theft.

If your motorcycle was stolen but you recovered it and it has been damaged by the thief, then this option will be better unless your rental agent directs you to report the theft:

Report damage to the vehicle

In both cases, make sure you inform the police and report the incident. Furthermore, have your call with the rental service’s representative recorded. At this stage, you need to ask if your rental insurance, if you bought one, is still valid and what kind of coverage you are being offered. If you have a damage or collision waiver, then you don’t have to pay liability costs for theft. However, third-party insurance or personal accident liability coverage may not cover the theft and you may have to pay a bill to the rental service to make up for the loss.

Regardless of whether you own motorcycle insurance or a damage waiver provided by the rental service, the rental service will ask you to fill out an incident report form and provide a police complaint number. If you act quickly, it may help the rental service and police trace and locate the stolen vehicle.

Furthermore, contact your insurance provider and credit card service to see if they provide coverage for the theft of a rental. Even if you do not have personal accident and vehicle insurance, your credit card company may still provide some supplementary liability coverage.

After you report the motorcycle theft to the rental service and pay for the loss, it is likely that they will nullify the contract signed with you even if they manage to locate and recover the motorcycle rental. Also, you may not be able to rent another vehicle from the rental service immediately after.

If you had rented a motorcycle from a local motorcycle rental near you, then making your way back home should not be a problem. However, if you rent a motorcycle in a different city or state, then returning home may be more different. If the rental service closes your contract and refuses to provide you with a different motorcycle, then you may need to use public transportation. You can also approach a different motorcycle rental service to see if they will provide you with a ride. It is better not to disclose any previous incidents to representatives at a different motorcycle rental service.

It can be difficult to prevent your motorcycle rental from being stolen. However, one can take precautions and reduce the risk of theft. Here are some quick tips to help better protect your motorcycle rental:

• Properly lock the brakes, ignition system, and front forks.
• Make sure to ask for special locks that do not have open spaces. Thieves use cutting tools to break the motorcycle locks, so use hard locks that provide little room for tools to find purchase.
• Discuss the possibility of installing an alarm with the rental service representative.
• Park in crowded areas with lots of people around. Parking near places with CCTV cameras also helps.
• Make sure you buy comprehensive motorcycle rental insurance. It will not prevent theft, but it will definitely reduce the financial strain when charged for liability costs and loss of property.

In recent years, more riders have been getting motorcycle rentals in the United States. Motorcycle rentals have allowed motorcycle enthusiasts to make memories on scenic routes. Unfortunately, motorcycle thefts have been growing day by day in the United States, especially with motorcycle rentals.

According to the 2021-2022 NICB motorcycle theft report, motorcycle theft has increased by 26% and will likely continue to increase in the following years.

During 2021-2022, Los Angeles saw the largest number of motorcycle theft cases in the country. And the situation is sadly getting out of control. Even if you lock your motorcycle and leave it in a secure parking area, there is a high chance that your motorcycle will still be stolen.Seats, saddlebags, batteries, and other motorcycle parts are just as vulnerable to theft as the whole vehicle itself. It is suggested that you do not leave your motorcycle alone for more than five minutes and if you must, leave it near shops, restaurants, ATMs, or other places with cameras. That way, if your motorcycle rental gets stolen, the rental service may have an easier time recovering it. Moreover, try not to rent a conspicuous or expensive motorcycle when in Los Angeles to avoid having to pay hefty liability costs if it is stolen.

It is common to have your motorcycle stolen from outside of your apartment. Unfortunately, rental insurance usually does not provide coverage for theft. You would have to contact your insurance provider or credit card to seek coverage, purchase rental coverage from your rental service provider, or pay to make up for the loss.

Rental service will offer you different kinds of insurance coverage. Buying full coverage always helps in theft cases, but only if there is no evidence that indicates the theft occurred due to your negligence.

Many riders have primary coverage via auto insurance and secondary coverage via credit cards. Having a combination of both personal auto insurance and credit cards will greatly reduce liability cost.

If an investigation reveals that your motorcycle rental was stolen because of your negligence, you will have to pay the expenses without the help of your insurance coverage.

Leaving the motorcycle unattended in a deserted parking lot at night, being unable to produce the motorcycle keys, or not locking the motorcycle properly are considered the renter’s negligence and can lead to the cancelation of theft coverage.

A motorcycle rental allows you to go on adventures while riding a motorcycle you would not have been able to afford in other circumstances. However, this benefit will hardly matter if your motorcycle attracts an opportunistic thief. With this step-by-step guide, you can quickly resolve the problem and reduce the theft liability cost.

It is highly recommended that you buy insurance from the rental service or another insurance company that provides complete theft coverage. Moreover, follow the guidelines of the closed contract and be vigilant so as to prevent the theft of your motorcycle rental in the first place.