Test Ride and Insurance

[sail]

I test rode a 2011 RT-S 2 days ago but to do so I had to sign a waiver that I would defend and indemnify the dealer for any and everything. I never had to do this while I test drove a car. Even when I rented a Road King my liability was limited to the deductible on their policy. So if I was hit by an uninsured motorist I'd be on the hook. That just doesn't sound right because you know dealers must have insurance to put a tag on the machines, at least in PA. While not entirely thrilled with the Spyder I may take another test ride, but at another dealer. I'd like to know if all dealers do this. Has anyone heard of this?

 

[Bob Denman]

This sounds a bit like a dealer with an In-Law who's a lawyer...
I've been to five or six dealers now, and this is the first I've heard of one who had this much paperwork involved in a test ride.:gaah:
(Whereabouts in PA are you?)

 

[Dragonrider]

When you test drive a car, you get the sales guy too. With the Spyder, you're on your own.

Most folks who test drive a Spyder have never been on one before, and they are not like anything you've ever ridden.

The good news is the dealer let you take it for a real ride - many won't let you take it off the lot & STILL want you to sign the waiver...

 

[IWN2RYD]

This is not unusual. Heck our dealer would not let us ryde one till we got our Trike License...

Think of it like this. If you are a General Contractor, and you sub out the Electrical portion to an expert... You as the General would not do business with the said Electrical sub unless they added you as an Additional Insured on their Insurance for that said job. That basically means if poop hits the fan, the Electrical Contractors policy would pay out (AKA be exhausted) before the Generals Contractors policy would ever pay out.

Keep in mind it also could have something to do with an in-law as mentioned above :bowdown: or the policy restriction that said dealer has placed on them from buying a cheaper Insurance Policy (Less coverages more restrictions/exclusions) or they have had claims and this was a business decision from that (those) loss(es).

 

[Spyder Cat]

Yeah, we had to sign a similar release. With so many people being so sue-happy these days, I can't blame the dealer for covering their backside.
Even tho it is required by law, you'd be surprised how many people out there don't have insurance (like the people who backed into me at the gas station :gaah and a dealership has a lot on the line. Keeping their doors open is hard enough in this economy.

 

[boborgera]

When i get a loner [Truck] i've have to sign a waver that says if i get in a accident i will pay the dealers deductible.
Just like if i was in a accident with my own Truck and pay the deductible, Seems fair to me.:dontknow:

 

[sail]

Well, I can see waiving any personal injury claim from being a rider, but the property damage part is the main concern. It just seemed to me that since they are required by law to insure it they are just doing this to save the $ for the endorsement for test rides. I do understand the new rider and new type of machine argument, but still, in the example I gave of the uninsured motorist it seems a bit unfair.

 

[ARtraveler]

Interesting. I have never had to sign off on insurance to take a test ride in either a car or on a motorcycle. They did verify license and endorsements though. I am sure this will vary from place to place.

 

[SpyderRyder2B]

I test rode a 2011 RT-S 2 days ago but to do so I had to sign a waiver that I would defend and indemnify the dealer for any and everything. I never had to do this while I test drove a car. Even when I rented a Road King my liability was limited to the deductible on their policy. So if I was hit by an uninsured motorist I'd be on the hook. That just doesn't sound right because you know dealers must have insurance to put a tag on the machines, at least in PA. While not entirely thrilled with the Spyder I may take another test ride, but at another dealer. I'd like to know if all dealers do this. Has anyone heard of this?

I had to show ID, learners permit and sign that I knew it wasn't a motorcycle...hmmm...but, the dealer had someone ryding with me. First they pushed me in the parking lot, then the dealer rode in front, we switched places did some more in the parking lot, then out into the street.

Sure hope your second ride thrills you more!! The Spyder is an awesome ryde, in my opinion!:firstplace:

 

[SpyderWolf]

I would go to a different dealer for another test ryde and see how they do things. Most dealers will operate a little bit differently from each other. The other major thing is you want to find the dealer that is going to take the best care of your Spyder. Sometimes this may mean actually paying a little more for the Spyder, but good service departments can be hard to find at times.

Best of luck in your search for another test ryde, and getting used to the Spyder experience. It will take some time, but before you know it you will wonder why you ever doubted its handling capabilities. :thumbup:

 

[bone crusher]

This is normal...no concern...don't hold it against the dealership...

 

[SteveMac]

Yes. I had to sign a waiver to test ride also. Litigious world today. I don't blame them.