Quick answers
- If the bike breaks down, stop somewhere safe and message your rental. A good rental brings a replacement bike.
- Who pays depends on the cause: a part that wears out is the rental's problem, damage from a fall or careless riding is usually yours.
- Many Bali rentals, including ours, don't insure their bikes. Ask before you pay, and photograph the bike at handover.
- Never hand over your passport to settle a damage claim.
This guide explains how we handle breakdowns and damage at motoranbali, and what to ask any other rental.
If the bike breaks down
- Pull over somewhere safe, off the road if you can, and switch on the hazard lights if the bike has them.
- Message your rental with your location (share it from Google Maps) and a photo or short video of the problem.
- Don't let a roadside workshop take the bike apart without the rental's agreement, or you may end up paying for work they didn't approve.
With us, you message us on WhatsApp and we come to you with a replacement bike. If the problem is something you didn't cause, like a worn-out battery or a part that fails, it costs you nothing extra.
Who pays for what
| What happened | Who pays at motoranbali |
|---|---|
| A part wears out or fails (battery, belt, lights) | We do: repair or replacement bike, no extra cost |
| Routine servicing on a monthly rental (oil, battery) | We do, at least every 3 months |
| Damage from a fall, a crash or careless riding | You pay for the repair |
| Returning the bike late | An overtime fee of half a day's rent |
Our bikes aren't insured. While a bike is with you, you're responsible for it. We say this up front because the cheapest rentals sometimes don't, and the cost turns up when you return the bike.
After a fall or a crash
- Look after people first. In an emergency call 112; for an ambulance, 118 or 119.
- Photograph the scene, both vehicles and any damage before anything is moved.
- Message your rental straight away, before agreeing anything with anyone else.
- Keep receipts from any clinic or hospital for your travel insurer.
Travel insurance often refuses scooter claims if you rode without the right licence. See Do you need an International Driving Permit in Bali?
Questions to ask any rental before you pay
- Is the bike insured, and what does the insurance cover? Is there an excess (own risk)?
- If the bike breaks down, do you bring a replacement, and how fast?
- Who pays when a part wears out?
- What happens if the bike is stolen?
- Do you need my passport? (A photo is enough for a legitimate rental.)
Write the answers down or keep them in the WhatsApp chat. For the full pre-rental list, see the Bali scooter rental checklist.
Protect yourself at handover
Before you ride off, walk around the bike with the owner and photograph every scratch, the tyres and the dashboard (fuel and kilometres). Do the same when you return it. If anyone later claims damage, your photos settle it.
FAQ
What should I do if my rental scooter breaks down in Bali?
Pull over somewhere safe and message your rental with your location and a photo. With us, we bring a replacement bike.
Do I pay if the scooter breaks down?
Not for a fault you didn't cause, like a worn-out battery. Damage from a fall or careless riding is yours to pay.
Are rental scooters in Bali insured?
Some are, many aren't. Ours aren't. Ask before you pay and check what any insurance excludes.
What is the emergency number in Bali?
112 for emergencies, 110 for police, and 118 or 119 for an ambulance.
About the author
Lutfi Khamami owns motoranbali and has rented scooters to visitors and long-stay guests in Bali since 2022. More about us
