Gain freedom on the road with the right motorcycle coverage
There’s nothing like the freedom you feel when riding, but if you’re on the road, you’re at risk. To ensure you’ve got the coverage and financial protection you need, consider the following motorcycle insurance coverage options.
Liability Insurance Coverage
Most states require you to carry liability coverage. Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that you may cause to other people involved in an accident, but it doesn’t cover you or your motorcycle.
- Bodily injury liability: If you’re at fault in a crash, you may be responsible for covering the damages for your passenger or the other driver. If so, bodily injury liability typically covers the other driver or your passenger’s expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Property damage liability: If you’re at fault in an accident that causes damage to others’ property, property damage liability covers the expenses, such as damage caused to vehicles, private homes, fences and other structures.
Collision Insurance Coverage
Collision insurance covers damage, minus your deductible, to your motorcycle if you are involved in an accident. Keep in mind, collision insurance usually covers the book value of the motorcycle before the loss occurred.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by an event other than a collision, such as fire, theft or vandalism. However, just like collision insurance coverage, your policy will pay for damages, minus your deductible, and will cover only the book value of the motorcycle.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage covers damages to you and your property caused by another driver who either is uninsured or underinsured to cover your damages. This coverage typically pays for medical treatment, lost wages and other damages.
Optional Equipment Coverage
If you decide to customize your motorcycle, you should look into obtaining additional or optional equipment coverage. Most comprehensive and collision insurance coverages will only cover the factory standard parts on your motorcycle.
Is a “lay-up” right for you?
If you can’t enjoy riding your bike in the winter months, you can still enjoy increased savings with a lay-up insurance policy. There’s no need to fully insure your motorcycle if it’s stored for an extended period of time. With a lay-up insurance policy, all coverage except comprehensive is suspended for a specific period of time. Ask us for more details about this seasonal coverage option.
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Call our team at Marshall & Sterling today to learn more about all of our affordable vehicle insurance and personal risk management solutions. Don't forget to ask about our multi-policy discounts!
A Reminder About Motorcycle Helmets:
In 1967, the federal government required states to enact universal motorcycle helmet laws to qualify for certain highway safety funds. By 1975, all but three had complied. In 1976, Congress revoked federal authority to assess penalties for noncompliance, and states began to weaken helmet laws to apply only to young or novice riders.
Currently, about half the states require helmets for all motorcyclists. Most other states require helmets for certain riders, and a few have no helmet law.
- 47 states and the District of Columbia have a helmet law for motorcyclists.
- 19 states and the District of Columbia have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.
- The remaining 28 states require helmets for specific riders.
- Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire do not have a motorcycle helmet law.
Learn more: Download this list of motorcycle and bicycle helmet laws by state
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Disclaimer: This is provided for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should it be construed as advice regarding coverage. Eligibility for coverage is not guaranteed and all coverages are limited to the terms and conditions contained in the applicable policy. © 2008, 2013, 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.