Letting Someone Use Your Scooter

[metronid]

I am not a lwyer but there are plenty in my area.
They all charge of course for information.

If I would let someone ride my scooter and they are of legal age and then happen to have an accident then who is
liable.
The owner?

I of course do haveinsurance.

[Kerry]

Most insurance policies will state if other drivers/riders are covered or not, give them a call, or check the 'declarations' page of your policy. If they are not covered you will most likely be held liable, unless it's in the case of theft, but lawyers or other insurance companies will probably go after you for damages either way. Best not to lend it out.

My scooter insurance company (Progressive) says that no one is covered but me, period.

[GizmoGal]

I agree with Kerry about the risks of lending the scooter just as stated.
And my insurance company, also Progressive, also covers only me. Your first inquiry to be to your insurance carrier or to read the policy declarations.

If you lend your scooter, then the other rider has to be in complete compliance with the laws of your state. If a helmet is required, that rider must wear a helmet. If there is a motorcycle license endorsement required to drive a scooter, they must be in compliance with that on their own license. You assume all risks for damage done by your bike to someone's person or property while being operated by either a rider not covered in your policy or allowed by your insurance company or a non-compliant rider as far as state law. All this is not true if your bike is stolen and it is involved in an accident. That is out of your control and consent, of course.

[Bustin]

Seldom does a week go by at my shop that someone doesn't come in with a long list of expensive replacement parts , and an opening line something like "I let my ______ borrow my bike , and they crashed it. "

Then it's just various puppy sounds from the poor bike lender, as we discuss prices on plastic body pieces , handlebars , turn signals, levers, etc. etc. etc.

You've heard the phrase "ride it like you stole it " , right ? "Ride it like you borrowed it" is an acceptable substitute.

[FLATOUT50]

I agree with those above. I turned down an in-law to ride my Met because it is not insured. There currently is no registration in CT for motorscooters up to 49cc and 5 horsepower. So no insurance company will insure it. The person said they were insured. Yeah, right. Turn down who ever you have to because you can end up getting sued on top of having a wrecked bike and a repair bill to boot!

[nuttmeg]

I don't have the Vino anymore, but... When I did and I had the Vespa, I spoke with my insurance (progressive) and they stated as long as they are not riding it more than 12 times in a year they don't have to be added to the policy and they and the bike are covered when riding it. Maybe that is just a WA state thing, not sure. I also had full coverage on the Vino and was not terribly worried because we rode together (only once) the bike is sold now tho and NO ONE will ride my Vespa but me (well maybe my father, but he has been riding motorcycles longer than I have been alive).

[Paddy_Crow]

The only situation where I let someone ride my two wheeler is when I'm selling it. Other than that, I will let someone ride it when they give me a cashier's check for the value of the bike. When they return the bike unscathed, they get their check back. I suppose I would also take cash.

[suncitysolar]

I won't let anyone ride my scooter! The last time it was ridden by someone else, my wife crashed it into a tree BEFORE she got out of our yard. Never again.

[vulcan]

I would not, under any circumstances, let anyone ride or drive my vehicles. Let them get their own, like I did. My insurance is so cheap because not only do I only have the state required minimum liability on all my vehicles, but it only covers me. That is an option that not all insurance companies offer. But even if your insurance does cover other drivers (and they usually have to meet certain criteria), if that person causes an accident in/on your insured vehicle, YOUR insurance company is liable for damages, which means you can expect to pay greatly increased premiums on ALL your vehicles for many years. Let it happen twice within a certain time period, and you become uninsurable. I have insurance on 2 trucks and 1 car, 5 motorcycles, 2 scooters, one moped, and one street legal quad. I can't afford any accidents.