MOTOR CYCLE INSURANCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 January 1926, Page 14

MOTOR CYCLE INSURANCE.

Insurance is sueli :i heavy item in the motor-cyclist’s budget, and mishaps so apparently rare, that he is sometimes tempted to economise in premiums by reducing the scope of his policy or even neglecting to insure altogether. Nothing could be more foolish, and it is not too much to say that to ride an uninsured motor-cycle is criminal, writes A.K.C. in the Motor-Cycle. A rider is liable for any damage he may cause to persons or property when in the opinion of the courts such damage is due to his negligence. Negligence is a wide term. It has been defined as “doing what a reasonable man would not do, or neglecting to do that which a reasonable man would do. ’ ’ In deciding the question of liability, the courts are, of course, largely guided by the statements of witnesses, and as these are very often hostile and biased against motor-cyclists it often happens that the most careful rider may be faced with a liability of hundreds or thousands of pounds, and if he is uninsured it may mean bankruptcy and ruin. There there is, of course, the third party’s side of the question, and nobody will want to be in the position of having, perhaps, caused injury to some person and being unable to compensate him. In connection with claims by the public, it should not be overlooked that the rider is liable for injury caused to a passenger in his sidecar, and to cover this risk' most companies demand an additional premium. The choice of a sound company is of obvious importance, and it is false economy to pay low premiums to a finan-} chilly unstable concern. Should the company go into liquidation during the negotiation of a claim, the liability reverts to the .assured. In regard to the other sections of the policy, fire and theft should always V covered, but many will not consider it worth while to insure inexpensive machines for accidental damage. Personal accident insurance is a sound investment for the rider, and the extension of this cover to,the sidecar passenger relieves one of much worry in the event of mishap. Many people have grievances to air against insurance companies, but ia practice it will be found that if a good company be chosen and a reasonable attitude taken in regard to claims, one will meet with nothing but courtesy