As motorcycle riding is more dangerous than operating other types of motorized vehicles, you should take a careful look at the insurance policies covering your bike to make sure that you are protected in the case of an accident. Many people spend a great deal of time and money modding their bikes and installing add-ons that may not be covered with a simple liability insurance claim to the other parties policy holder and as serious injuries can occur in greater frequency on a motorcycle you should make sure that you are covered medically as well.
Let’s talk about a few different types of policies that you can have on your bike. The standard liability insurance is the one that is required by law to operate a vehicle in the United States, but on motorcycles this may not be enough. With liability insurance, you are covered if you damage someone’s vehicle with yours and you are at fault in the accident. However, in many cases, the motorcycle is much more badly damaged than the vehicle you have struck, and so an insurance policy that covers your damaged vehicle as well may be much more than simply a good idea.
This type of insurance is called Collision insurance and it will cover the cost of repairs to your bike even if you are at fault. Collision may also be covered in the case of a comprehensive insurance policy, that protects you against theft and vandalism. Also, comprehensive may cover more rare occurrences such as damage to your bike from a flood or a fire. If you are riding a motorcycle then you should have collision coverage for sure, because as stated, the damage is often much worse to your bike than the other car if you are involved in a collision.
Another type of insurance that you may want to consider is property damage insurance. This type of insurance covers you if you destroy or damage someone else’s property, other than their vehicle. For instance, if in the course of an accident, you run through someone’s fence, then the cost or repairing or replacing that fence will be covered, up to a certain amount. Medical is also a type of insurance that you can add to your policy and comes in various shapes and sizes, but will generally cover a portion of medical bills if you are involved in a collision. Remember, as stated in my book Purchasing Auto Insurance, ALWAYS take out as much uninsured motorists coverage as your agent will sell you within your budget.
If you are involved in an accident with another driver who doesn’t have insurance then you might want to have a under-insured/uninsured policy, which protects you in specific cases like this. However, if you have been involved in a collision with someone who has no insurance, you also have the alternative of filing a claim against them in court and collecting damages for medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, lost wages and even pain and suffering, assuming that you can prove they were at fault. Contact a qualified motorcycle attorney and discuss your potential case if this has happened to you.
