Money Moral Dilemma: My son's friend borrowed his bike and it got stolen - should his parents pay?

pennyforthem

They are old enough to know bikes will get stolen if they can go into town by themselves, so it comes down to the morals of the parents. If you explain to the parents the situation that their son chose to take your son's bike into town without permission, and it got stolen, and they do not offer to pay they are not the sort of people you want your son to be around as they have no respect for you, if they do then you know he has made a friend to value.

Ringo90

This thread is all over the place... people blaming the owner for not insuring the bike, people comparing a £350 bike to a book and people saying it was an accident... sure. Had it been stolen while secured at the friend's house, I would never blame the friend, but he took it to town without permission and left it unsecured. Really, what more should they have done to be at fault? Handed it to the thief themselves?

Saltrams

Friend used it without permission and carelessly left it unsecured & unattended; ergo, friend must contribute regular payments from pocket money in order to learn the lessons of responsibility and care for personal possessions (both their own and others’).

PixelPound

Ringo90 said:

This thread is all over the place... people blaming the owner for not insuring the bike, people comparing a £350 bike to a book and people saying it was an accident... sure. Had it been stolen while secured at the friend's house, I would never blame the friend, but he took it to town without permission and left it unsecured. Really, what more should they have done to be at fault? Handed it to the thief themselves?

And if the friends parents disagree and don't /can't pay? 

guyjpjones

He sold the bike. A great life lesson re “friends”

Epsomdtc

How about a meeting with the parents? 
The O.P. seems miffed, but all involved bear a percentage of the blame. 
The parents could use this as a valuable life lesson, an opportunity to teach the youngsters about responsibility, friendship, cost of living, etc.
When life gives you lemons, make a g&t  ;-)

JayD

Difficult though the conversation might be, I think yo need to approach the friend's parents and ask that they replace the bike.

theoretica

If the bike was £350 new two years ago how much would an insurer actually pay out if it had been insured?