What to Do If You Have a Scooter Accident in Bali
Nobody plans to have an accident, but knowing what to do immediately after one can make a significant difference - for your health, your finances and your legal situation.
Step 1: Safety first
Before anything else, get yourself and the bike off the road. Bali's traffic doesn't stop for accidents - staying in the road risks a second collision. Move to the side even if you're injured.
Check for injuries carefully. Adrenaline masks pain, so take 60 seconds to actually check your arms, legs, head and torso before concluding you're fine. Wrist and collarbone injuries from scooter falls are easy to miss initially.
Step 2: Call for help if needed
Step 3: Document everything before moving anything
This is critical and time-sensitive. Before any bikes move:
Step 4: Handle it locally if possible
Minor accidents in Bali are often resolved at the roadside between both parties - a cash payment for minor damage is common and usually faster than involving police or insurance.
For a minor scrape with no injuries and minor bike damage, a roadside agreement is the norm. Both parties agree on a compensation amount, money changes hands, and everyone moves on. Keep this proportional - 200,000–500,000 IDR for a mirror or small scratch is typical.
Step 5: Call the rental owner
Call the owner as soon as it's safe to do so - even before you deal with the other party if there's no injury. Owners have experience handling these situations. If someone hit you and you can keep them at the scene until the police or the owner arrive, the owner will usually shift the claim onto them and settle it between themselves. You stay out of it.
Do not attempt to hide damage. The owner will find it. Calling immediately shows good faith and usually results in better outcomes than being caught later.
From our experience
There are almost no road cameras in Bali, and police rarely sort out who was at fault on the spot. In practice the rider of the rental bike often ends up responsible. And if you ride without an International Driving Permit or after drinking, you are at fault regardless of what happened.
Step 6: Police report (when needed)
A police report (laporan polisi) is required if: someone is seriously injured, significant vehicle damage is involved, or you need documentation for an insurance claim.
Call 110 for police. Be aware that police response in Bali can be slow - sometimes hours. For minor incidents without injuries, a police report is often unnecessary and not worth waiting for.
Step 7: Contact your travel insurance
Contact your travel insurer as soon as possible after seeking medical care - most policies require you to report incidents within 24–48 hours. Have your policy number, incident details and any documentation ready.
Important: your insurer may ask whether you held a valid motorcycle license at the time. This is why having an IDP matters - it directly affects your coverage.
FAQ
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Scooters and cars from local owners. Delivery to your villa or hotel is usually free.
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