What happens if I crash a rental scooter in Chiang Mai?

Damage to the bike o​r other vehicles

Rental motorcycles in Thailand cannot be insured!
If you fall off the bike, bump into something, or otherwise damage the scooter, you are expected to cover the cost of repairs. For example, if a mirror is broken, you will need to pay for a replacement.
If plastic fairings are damaged, they will need to be replaced. Scooter Hub doesn't worry about small scratches and nicks, so neither should you. We offer free scratch insurance with all our scooters.

The good news is that parts in Thailand are inexpensive. We aim to be fully transparent with pricing - we do not make any profit from parts or labor. When a part needs replacing, we use the official Honda Parts Catalogue for pricing, which you can also check yourself. https://pec.thaihonda.co.th

For example, a recent customer returned a bike with a missing exhaust shield after a minor accident. The official Honda catalogue listed the part at 197 THB (approx $6) plus tax. We charged that amount, along with a small 100 THB (approx $3) labor fee.

Accidents involving other vehicles

If your accident involves another vehicle, the situation can be more complex. 

First, it’s important to stay calm and polite - especially with the police, who will usually be called to assist. The police will determine who is at fault.
 
If the accident is your fault, you will be expected to pay for the damages.
If it is not your fault, the other party is responsible for compensating the damage.
  
Most cars in Thailand are insured, so you should: 
- Record the vehicle registration
- Take names and phone numbers
- Follow standard procedures, just as you would in your home country

The most important thing is to cooperate with the police and remain respectful.

We recently had a customer involved in a serious accident, with repair costs close to 20,000 THB. Because he stayed calm, cooperated fully, and was polite, the police determined that the taxi driver was at fault. The taxi company’s insurance covered nearly all of the damage, and the customer did not have to pay anything extra.

What if I hurt myself in an accident?

All vehicles in Thailand are covered by what is called “Por Ror Bor,” a type of government health insurance. This insurance covers riders, passengers, and third parties, including tourists. If you are injured, this insurance will cover medical bills up to a certain amount (30,000-80,000 THB). Please note that this insurance is provided by the Thai government, not by Scooter Hub. 

When renting a scooter in Thailand, you should always check for a valid Por Ror Bor sticker. If the bike does not have one, you should not rent it. Here you can see an example of this sticker on one of our bikes.

I've scratched​ the bike, what should I do?

At Scooter Hub, we don’t worry too much about small scratches and nicks. These things can happen when riding a motorcycle. We are not one of those predatory companies that try to profit from minor damage, and we never “nickel and dime” our customers. 
Scooter Hub includes free scratch insurance with all rentals. When choosing a scooter rental company in Chiang Mai, you should make sure they do not charge for minor cosmetic damage.