Every activity comes with risks, especially those that involve wheels, speed, and the unpredictable factors that drivers and motorcyclists experience while on the road. Make sure you have the motorcycle insurance you need to be fully covered in the event of an accident.
A member agent in the Trusted Choice® network can help. There are over 22,000 member agencies with 27,000 locations in communities like yours across the U.S. Find an Imperium Insurance agent now for home, auto and motorcycle insurance quotes.
You know the risks are out there: a deer crossing the street in a blind curve; drivers neglecting to check their blind spot or traveling too fast through an intersection. Motorcycle riders see these dangers each time they ride.
You can’t prevent an accident from happening, but you can be prepared. Some of the important measures that can make a difference include taking a motorcycle safety course, wearing protective gear, and making sure you have adequate motorcycle insurance.
What kind of policy do you need, and how much coverage should you buy? Let’s discuss motorcycle insurance requirements and how you can find out more about what is required in your state.
Every state in the U.S. requires motorcyclists to have liability insurance, with the exception of Washington State, Montana, and Florida. However, Florida still has a financial responsibility law, requiring motorcyclists to pay personal and property damages in an accident they cause.
Liability insurance pays (up to your set limits) for damages or injuries you cause in an accident, as well as your legal defense if needed. Because these costs can quickly soar to hundreds of thousands of dollars in the event of severe injuries, property damage or law suits, a good liability policy is highly recommended.
Liability coverage has three forms of coverage: bodily liability for one person, bodily liability for all people involved, and property liability. If you cause an accident and someone is injured, the bodily liability would cover the costs of treatment for that person.
When you buy motorcycle insurance, you determine the limit. If you purchase a 10/20/10 plan, it means the insurance company will pay up to $10,000 in medical care for one person, $20,000 for all injuries, and $10,000 in property damage.
Before you decide on the liability coverage in your motorcycle insurance policy, consider how much you can afford if the accident is severe. If the costs of the crash exceed your limits, you will have to pay out of pocket.
As an example scenario, let’s say you have coverage for 10/20/10, and you cause an accident resulting in $30,000 of medical expenses and $15,000 in property damage. You would have to pay $10,000 for medical care and another $5,000 in property damage, out of pocket.
You can get a free quote from a Imperium Insurance agent now.
There is more to getting a motorcycle insurance quote than just the numbers, however. When it comes to making the best decision on insurance, it is important to meet with an agent. Working with an agent in the Trusted Choice network means you will have someone to talk to who can answer your questions about the best policy, deductibles and limits for you.
Should you be purchasing uninsured and underinsured coverage in case you are in an accident caused by someone else who does not have the means to pay your expenses? Should you consider an umbrella liability policy? Do you know what kind of coverage you need if you travel with your motorcycle out of state?
Insurance can be confusing. Plans often have various limitations and exclusions, though they are not always clear. Without reviewing the policy with an experienced insurance professional, you may not know what your plan covers – and what it does not cover.
Before you buy motorcycle insurance, get free quotes from several providers. A Trusted Choice member agent can help you to get comparative motorcycle insurance quotes for you, and can also look for any discounts for which you may qualify.
In general, motorcycle insurance rates are affected by the following factors:
It’s true – your credit history affects your motorcycle insurance premium as much or more than your driving history. Statistically, motorcycle riders with poor credit are more likely to file a claim, so insurance companies tend to raise premiums for these customers to compensate for risk.
The insurance company will do a risk assessment based on how old you are and any included traffic accidents or violations on your record, both for your motorcycle and your car.
If you travel in high accident or crime areas, your risks are higher. Where you store your bike also matters: if it is kept in a locked garage, it is much less likely to be stolen or damaged.
If you ride year-round, you will face more risks than drivers who only use their motorcycles for a few months of the year, or only on weekends.
How expensive is your bike? How new? And how much horsepower? A new Ducati 1199 Panigale will require more expensive repairs than a used Honda Stateline. This is because the Ducati will cost more to repair or replace in the event of an accident.
Insurers will also take into account whether you have added specialty components, such as a custom frame.
The costs of a severe wreck can quickly exceed your state’s required minimum coverage. Consider adding additional forms of insurance to a general motorcycle insurance plan.
General motorcycle insurance policies available from an online insurance company may not be tailored to your needs. Even if you start your research by comparing online quotes, make sure you find an agent or motorcycle insurance broker.
A local Imperium Insurance agent can compare multiple plans from several insurance companies, find all available discounts and tailor a policy to fit your needs and budget. Contact an Imperium Insurance agent today.
