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For many riders across the country and around the world, their bike is their pride and joy. Given this, no rider would ever want to consider the possibility of having their bike stolen from them. Unfortunately, motorcycle theft occurs with upsetting frequency and every rider ought to familiarize themselves with the steps to take after having their bike stolen.
Before we get started on how to respond to a motorcycle theft, please check out this article, which outlines the many ways you can prevent the theft from occurring in the first place.
If you ever find your bike missing, the first thing you should do is carefully examine the surrounding area. While your bike may not be where you left it, it is possible that someone else simply moved it, whether out of kindness or with sinister intent. Search the immediate area to see if your bike has been moved – as it could very easily still be in your neighborhood -- and if there are any signs that could point to where it could have gone.
This leads into the next important step, gathering evidence. Ask your neighbors if they happened to see anything suspicious, and check with local businesses to see if they might have surveillance footage of the thieves making off with your bike. Gather up photos of your bike and necessary documentation like insurance and registration before going to the police to report the theft.
While the police may not stage a manhunt for the people that stole your bike, filing a police report with your local authorities is a necessary step in filing an insurance claim. Use their nonemergency number and explain the situation with as much detail as possible, while having all your motorcycle-related documents in order will expedite the process tremendously. Don’t be surprised if they ask to visit the location of the theft to gather more information or if you need to make a trip down to the station to complete the report.
It would also be a good idea for you to take to the internet following the theft and post details of your bike on social media and forums so that other people can keep an eye out for your bike. Setting up alerts on eBay and Craigslist for your bike’s make and model would be advised in the event that the thieves attempt to sell your recently boosted bike.
Finally, once your police report is filed and you’ve reviewed your insurance policy, contact your insurance company and file a claim. This may be a long and frustrating process and expect the company to take their time completing the investigation of your claim and making a payout but be persistent and stick with it through to the end.
For more relevant tips and articles for bikers, please check out our Current News for Riders page on hupy.com.
