If Your Motorcycle Is Stolen,
Can You Easily Replace This?
Motorcycles are a common sight in the streets of Metro Manila and surrounding areas. The spike in the number of motorcycle units in the metropolis is fueled by the increase in the number of food delivery drivers as well as motorcycle ride apps like Angkas and Joyride during the pandemic. According to Statista, the total volume of motorcycles sold in the country has reached approximately 1.44 million units, a 19% increase from the previous year’s numbers. Motorcycles offer convenience as it allows you to easily weave around the traffic.
As convenient as they are, motorcycles are also susceptible to being stolen. Once it’s lock has been cut, it can be easily stolen. Even without the lock being disabled, it can be easily loaded into a vehicle. Also, it can be forcibly taken away from you. In addition, your unit can be stolen while delivering food or other items in an unknown territory. Data from the PNP-HPG reveals that there were 1,649 motorcycles stolen during the first months of 2021. The ratio between stolen motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles is 9:1 as reflected in the 2020 and 2021 data.
Can I Replace My Stolen Motorcycle?
These are unfortunate accidents that can happen to you as well. If this happens, is replacement possible? Yes you can replace it but do you have ready cash to pay for the replacement unit? This is where having motorcycle insurance kicks in. However, a standard motorcycle insurance may not be enough to cover the cost of the replacement unit. The required CTPL will only cover liabilities arising from death or injury to a third party.
In order to cover the cost of the replacement for your stolen motorcycle, you need a comprehensive motorcycle insurance from Assurance.PH. Your policy will shoulder the amount of the replacement unit based on the sum insured. Aside from covering the cost of replacement, an Assurance.PH policy also offers the following benefits:
- Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL). This is required by law during vehicle registration. It offers protection against liabilities arising from death and bodily injuries to a third-party.
- Own Damage/Theft. Covers damage or injuries from accidental collision, overturning, falling, fire, and malicious acts of a third party on your vehicle.
- Excess Bodily Injury. This is supplemental coverage to your CTPL. It covers for legal liabilities in respect to bodily injuries and/or death caused to a third party arising from the use of the insured vehicle.
- Voluntary Third Party Liability. It shoulders the expenses incurred from liabilities from damages against the property of a third-party.
- Personal Accident Rider. An Assurance.PH personal accident rider will pay for medical reimbursement while boarding, alighting, and riding your motorcycle.
- Acts of Nature. This rider provides protection for the loss or damage to your vehicle, its accessories, and spare parts as a result of an earthquake., typhoons, flood, volcanic eruption, lightning, fire, and other natural disasters.
What To Do If Your Motorcycle Has Been Stolen?
It is a natural reaction for one to freak out after realizing that the motorcycle you worked hard to purchase has been stolen. But instead of remaining in that stunned state, it would be best to take action immediately to try and recover your two-wheels. Calm yourself down first so you could easily handle the situation. `By keeping your cool, you will be able to act soundly. Here’s what you need to do:
- Report the case to the closest police station. The police will note the report and have it put in a blotter. Make sure to ask for a copy of the blotter report.
- Take your documents to the Traffic Management Group. Bring the original copy of your certificate of registration, official receipt, blotter report, and insurance policy documents. If you are not the registered owner, secure an authorization letter or SPA from the registered owner. The TMG will then process the documents and have your stolen motorcycle enlisted in the “general alarm” list circulating nationwide across all police stations and TMG units.
- Keep all the documents for your insurance coverage if ever. The requirements for coverage may vary but the common requirements are the OR, CR, and your insurance policy. Your insurance provider may also require a driver’s license, a copy of the TMG alarm sheet, and a blotter report.
- If your stolen motorcycle is not recovered within 60 days, you should ask for a non-recovery document from the TMG for processing your insurance coverage by your provider.
How To Prevent Your Motorcycle From Being Stolen
Just because your motorcycle has not been stolen for years does not mean it won’t. No matter how secure your two-wheels is, motorcycle thieves will always find a way to unlock it and load it into the back of their van. You may have the most secure garage in your neighborhood but nothing is secured for a resilient thief. To keep your motorcycle from being part of the statistics, here are some precautionary measures for preventing your ride from being stolen.
1. Lock Your Steering Lock
One of your best defenses against motorcycle theft is to keep the thieves from maneuvering your bike. It will be best if your ignition and steering locks are separated from each other. This way, they will have to defeat two locks to be able to steal your motorcycle.
2. Keep Your Lock Off The Ground
Regardless of the lock you are using, keep it away from the ground, where the thief will have plenty of leverage to break your lock. Putting it away from the ground would not give the thief the additional leverage to pry the lock open. The lock or chain should be attached through the frame. Avoid putting it on the fork or wheel if possible.
3. Lock It To Something Heavy
Sometimes a disc lock is not enough for a determined thief as they could easily hoist your bike into a waiting vehicle. Aside from a lock, add a cable and anchor it to something solid to make it hard for them to steal away your bike.
4. Use Multiple Locks
It is best to use two or more locks of different types on your bike. Unless the thief has done a surveillance job on your motorcycle, chances are they won’t be able to handle different kinds of locks. Anchor one of the locks on an immovable object to make it hard for a gang of thieves to load it to a truck.
5. Buy Quality Locks or Chains
Sometimes quantity is not enough but buying a quality lock or chain may help lessen the possibility of your motorcycle being stolen. Go for quality locks such as an alarmed disc lock, U-locks made from hardened steel, and asymmetrical chains. You might be able to find them in a hardware store near you.
6. Always Lock Your Motorcycle
It is always better to take an extra five minutes unlocking your motorcycle lock than to call the police and wait 15 minutes for them to get to your area and take your information.
Buying a motorcycle is a major investment. You put your hard work and savings into it. You can’t just hope that it will not be stolen. It is better to be safe than sorry. An Assurance.PH motorcycle insurance policy is your first step in securing your investment. Get in touch with an Assurance.PH advisor for further details at contact@assurance.ph / 09157052031 or 09052050402.