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Insurance - pillions?

Posted by laverdabru on February 19, 2025, 3:25 pm

I can't remember when I last took one, probably my brother in law on the GPz900 many years ago. (He immediately went out & bought an open top MX-5 as his wife would not let him buy a bike!)
Anyway, as my wife wouldn't consider getting on a pillion I've always ticked the 'no' box on the insurance - incidentally, when did that become an option, pillion cover used to be automatic?
My ZX-9R has a single seat anyway, & pillion pegs removed.
But if someone who did not have insurance for a passenger was involved in an accident while carrying one, where would the liability lie? A private case against the rider?
Is it illegal to take a passenger if not insured for one, or is it at their own risk?

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by Stuart on February 19, 2025, 3:42 pm, in reply to "Insurance - pillions?"

Hi Bru,

Pillion's a "Third Party" in contract law (Insured's the "First Party", Insurer's the "Second Party" ). Minimum insurance required by the applicable Road Traffic Act is against Third Party injury so I can't see how a pillion couldn't be insured?

Perhaps the "No pillion" box is so the insurer can see there should be less of a risk, might offer a slightly lower premium? (Flying Pig emoticon).

Hth?

Regards,

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by Andy C on February 19, 2025, 6:07 pm, in reply to "Insurance - pillions?"

I spoke to someone at Carole Nash about this when I insured the Speedmaster - the only bike I take a pillion on.

Cant remember the reason they gave for having to declare that I take a pillion on it, but I do know that it did not affect the premium. Might be different with different insurers.

Like all things insurance if you declare something it will all the better for you if the worst happens.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by Tonupdave on February 19, 2025, 6:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Insurance - pillions?"

I had insurance for passenger on my insurance cover it was a small company
Now been taken over

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by Will on February 19, 2025, 6:49 pm, in reply to "Insurance - pillions?"

I guess a lot depends on if there is another vehicle involved that is to blame or if its a single vehicle accident were they have just come off due to rider error or road conditions.

In the latter case it could quite possibly be the rider who ends up in most trouble. A court would probably rule it was illegal because their insurance wasn't correct.

I suspect their insurer would initially legally have to pay out for the 3rd party/pillion's injuries. They would then sue the rider to get their money back due to giving dishonest info when taking out the policy.

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by geoff the bonnie on February 19, 2025, 9:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Insurance - pillions?"

Last year, CN excluded pillions on my 4 bikes. I called them to say i had pillion passengers as all bikes have rear seat and footrests. They altered it at no extra cost.
As a joke, i asked if i could have passenger cover for just 3 people in my car and leave one seat with a box on it as i only carry 3 people.
This year, i do have pillion cover and all went well with 66 pounds less than last year. Just waiting for the policy to arrive now

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by A65Bill on February 20, 2025, 10:31 am, in reply to "Insurance - pillions?"

As I understand it, insurers are not allowed to exclude pillion cover, but are allowed to ask if you carry a pillion passenger, so a "no" is a rider declaration not an insurer exclusion.
Any bike with a dual seat is required to have passenger footrests.

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by geoff the bonnie on February 20, 2025, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Insurance - pillions?"

I did tell CN i had dual seats so why on earth would i stop a passenger riding.

I agree with the footrests needed, they would fail MOT if missing.

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by laverdabru on February 21, 2025, 12:46 am, in reply to "Re: Insurance - pillions?"

You learn something new every day. I'd never heard that re footrests being an MoT requirement on a bike with a dual seat. Not doubting anyone, just my experience. Nobody told any of the 3 different places I got my first '98 ZX-9R MoT'd at between 2001 & 2016! That was nearly bog standard, with a dual seat but no pillion rests. I took the RHS one off to fit a Harris exhaust hanger, & the LHS one off to match. Was never mentioned.

Re: Insurance - pillions?

Posted by geoff the bonnie on February 21, 2025, 6:53 am, in reply to "Re: Insurance - pillions?"

Possibly why many sports bikes had a hump to fit over the pillion seat as many riders just did not like the rear footrests. All depends if the MOT tester knows all the rules and applies them. Many times when i had MOTs on the old bikes they would say there is no front brake light. Thats because they didn't have a brake light. One was even asking where the electric start button was so i told hm to jump on the metal kickstart and just hope it doesnt kick back and break his ankle so he decided against starting

Re: MoT testers

Posted by Stuart on February 21, 2025, 8:35 am, in reply to "Re: Insurance - pillions?"

Hi Geoff,

>One was even asking where the electric start button

If it was your T120, you should've pointed to the button on the handlebars ... then he'd have asked why nothing happened when he pressed it ...

Best,

Re: MoT testers

Posted by A65Bill on February 21, 2025, 12:11 pm, in reply to "Re: MoT testers"

That's like the young AA lad reporting me as wasting their time, because I'd connected the thick wire from the starter motor to the spark plug.
1950 M33 Chariot