Motorcycle Insurance FAQ
- Q.What Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover?
- Is Motorcycle Insurance required?
- Why is Motorcylce insurance important?
Q.What Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover?
A standard motorcycle insurance policy will cover some portion of the costs associated with damage to your bike. It will also provide compensation in the event that you cause harm another person or their property or have legal fees to pay an accident. Known as “bodily injury and property damage liability,” your motorcycle liability insurance covers the cost of liability claims and legal fees, up to the limits of your policy, if are at fault in an accident.
You can customize your policy to cover the following:
- Full replacement cost of your bike, in the event that it is totaled
- Comprehensive coverage, which will pay for loss or damage due to causes “other than collision.” This includes hail and other weather damage, damage from animals, and most importantly motorcycle theft
- Medical payments, in the event that you require hospitalization or medical care
- Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage, in the event that another driver is at fault in an accident and does not have adequate insurance to pay your costs
- Damage or loss to your gear and upgrades, such as transport trailers, sidecars, custom exhaust equipment, and safety apparel like chaps and helmets
When you choose what you want your motorcycle insurance to cover, find a balance between protecting yourself against the risks you face and what you can budget for coverage. The good news is that there are many ways to save on your motorcycle insurance if you are a safe rider with a good driving record.
Q.Is Motorcycle Insurance Required?
A certain amount of liability insurance is required in every state and in the District of Columbia. The precise amount varies from state-to-state, however. The state with the lowest liability requirements is Louisiana, which requires motorcycle operators to buy $20,000 of personal injury coverage, and $10,000 in property damage coverage.
The states with the most stringent requirements are Maine and Alabama, which each require cyclists to have $100,000 in injury coverage and $50,000 in property damage coverage. The injury coverage amount is the maximum amount the insurance company must pay out for all persons injured in the accident, including the operator.
Q.Why Is Motorcycle Insurance Important?
Motorcycle insurance is important to protect yourself and others and to protect your bike. Motorcycles are much easier to steal than are automobiles or passenger trucks. Also, once stolen, they are easy to strip down, rebuild, and sell. Moreover, motorcycles are much more dangerous to operate than are passenger vehicles, for several reasons:
- They’re small and hard for other motorists to see.
- They’re very fast and maneuverable, which makes them even harder to see.
- They operate on two wheels; a moment of inattention can result in an accident.
- Operators have no protective devices, such as seat belts or air bags.
For all of these reasons, it is vital that you get yourself covered if you plan to operate a motorcycle on the highway. If you plan to race your bike, either competitively or for fun, it is even more important that you insure yourself and your bike. This is true whether you plan to race on level ground or on off-road, motocross tracks.
