Had my new bike taken off me for no insurance when I had insurance...

xtraz

Hi all

I was taking out an insurance policy for my new bike last week and after my payment went through the site said I will receive an email shortly with all my documents. The next morning I still didn't have any email but I assumed I'm good since my payment went through so I went out on a ride. After about half an hour of riding I stopped to get a coffee and guards came up to me saying they scanned my plate and its showing up as I don't have insurance. They took my bike and they told me that once I have insurance I will be able to go to a garda station and get a release form to get my bike back. However they also told me that I will be receiving a court summons letter in the next few months and I will have to appear in court for not having insurance at the time of the stop. A few hours later I received an email from the insurance company with all my documents which stated that my insurance started on the previous day BEFORE the guards took my bike. I went straight to a garda station with this email and asked for a release form. The guy there filled out the form and told me I can collect my bike now. I asked him if I will have to go to court for this as the guards that took my bike told me I will. He said no because he's updated the system now or something like that so I'm all good. However I am still worried about getting a court letter. I have never been to court in my life and this kind of things scares me so wanted to see what you guys think?

Jim_Hodge

Nothing's going to happen

CoBo55

Even if something does happen just go to court bringing your paperwork with you and show it to the court clerk.

flatty

Id just forget about it. If anything comes of it it'll be a morning in court wasted but that's all.

xtraz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122627547#Comment_122627547

Needed to hear that thanks. I even noticed that the release form the station gave me was marked as I had insurance at the time they took my bike + had no issue taking the bike back. Only thing that worried me was if the guard that took my bike already scheduled a court appearance or something like that...

cml387

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122627817#Comment_122627817

Technically you are guilty of failing to produce a valid insurance certificate, which is an offence in itself. However it's unlikely to proceed if the insurance is in order. The fine is small though and there are no penalty points afaik.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122628441#Comment_122628441

He produced a valid insurance certificate 🤔. There's no requirement to carry your certificate with you, you have 14 days to present your certificate in a Garda station which he did.

cml387

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122628514#Comment_122628514

Actually you are correct, as long as it's produced within 10 days (according to RTA)

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122627817#Comment_122627817

They are not that efficient, but keep the release form, print out the email from your insurance company, and write yourself a short note on this (your first post here is good). And if "something" does happend, you are in the clear.