Q&A Our specialist motoring solicitor Andrew Prendergast guides readers through their legal trials and troubles

QAbout

two months ago I over-cooked a corner on the way home and stacked it into some railings. I was only insured third party because it was just an old Bandit 600. Nonetheless I was gutted. Anyways, whilst I was being taken away in an ambulance for my broken leg the Old Bill arranged for the bike to be recovered. At the time I thanked them as I was in no fit state to sort it out myself. However, I now reckon the plod have stitched me up so they can make some money for themselves. A right couple of chancers. When I rocked up at the recovery yard I was told I had to pay a recovery charge. I couldn’t believe it. It wouldn’t surprise me if the recovery chap was related to the coppers. I didn’t order the recovery truck so I don’t see why I should pay. I’m thinking of suing the Police. What do you reckon? AYou’re

seeing conspiracy theories where there aren’t any. You fell of your bike through your actions and you caused a mess that needed clearing up. The Old Bill were just doing their job. Any judge in the land will throw it out of court as the coppers have done nothing wrong. Basically, under the law the Police have the power to get vehicles causing an obstruction removed. The law also means that you as the owner have to pay a charge. Details of these can be found at The Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles (Prescribed Sums and Charges) Regulations 2008. If I were you I would try and get it paid and the bike home as quickly as possible to stop the charges racking up.

QI’m currently

at uni studying to be a teacher and have a battered old CG125 that my older brother gave me to get about on. To pay my way through uni I’ve found a job delivering takeaways. However, I’m not sure whether I will be insured or not. My brother helped me sort the insurance out (he’s a top lad) and got me fully comprehensive. Does that mean I’m covered for work as well?

AFair

play to you in trying to get some money rolling in whilst studying. The devil is in the detail so you need to check your policy and call your insurer if need be to see what you’re covered for. However, if I were a betting man, you probably aren’t covered at the moment for delivery work. Delivery work is usually viewed by insurers as being a higher risk and this in turn dictates a higher premium. Whilst it may be tempting, don’t risk doing the delivery job without insurance for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if you get caught you could get penalty points or lose your licence, etc. A criminal record is never a good thing. Secondly, if you have an accident whilst delivering and your insurer finds out, they will likely pull cover and may well come after you for the money they have to pay out. For example, I recently had a chap call me where his insurer had come after him personally for over £100k after he was involved in a collision with two pedestrians whilst riding not in accordance with his insurance policy. An expensive day out that’s now going to cost him his house.