As the weather breaks and we are blessed with clear blue skies and warm dry days and nights, many of us are anxious to get out on our motorcycles. Before you grab your helmet, leathers, and gloves and hop on to ride, take a minute to review your motorcycle insurance policy for a few things.
Body Injury Liability – this is the coverage that pays if you are responsible for another person’s injuries or death from a collision. In July 2019, the law changed, and motorcycles now also are required to carry liability insurance coverage.
Property Damage Liability – this is the coverage that pays if you are responsible for damage to the property of someone else.
The above two coverages are mandatory and protect the other drivers on the roadway should you cause a collision that results in property damage, bodily injury, or death to someone else. But we who ride know that in almost any collision involving out bikes, we are likely to take the brunt of any injury and damage. Therefore, it is crucial that you also explore the following coverages that will protect you, your passengers, and your bike:
Medical Payments: This is a no-fault coverage that will pay for medical treatment expenses for any treatment that is reasonable and necessary to treat injuries from a collision. Even if you are at fault, you are covered up to the policy limit. If an injury is the result of a crash, sometimes your private health insurance will not pay. Even when they do, there are deductibles, co-pays, and limitations on network providers that often apply. Medical Payments coverage (Med Pay) covers you for any treatment, at any facility, by any provider, regardless of network or treatment modality. This coverage is crucial for all who ride! It also covers your passengers.
Underinsured Motorist: As noted in previous Blogs, the State minimum coverage is $25,000/$50,000, as you can imagine if you are injured on your bike, your medical expenses alone can easily exceed $25,000 in just getting to and evaluated at the ER after a crash. If you are injured by someone who has only the State minimum insurance and you carry this coverage, once the at-fault party’s insurance is exhausted, your insurer steps into their shoes and becomes liable to pay for your damages up to your policy limits.
Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: The State minimum PD coverage requited is $10,000. As someone who rides, I appreciate the love, detail, and expense that we put into our bikes. A bike that can be $20,000 bran new can easily be worth more than $30-40k only a few months later with all of the add-ons and customization we like to do. Imagine someone taking out your new customized bike worth $30-40k and only getting $10k in return! This coverage protects you from that. Once the at-fault party’s insurance is exhausted, your policy steps in to cover the remaining amount of the property damage.
As always, if you have questions or are involved in a crash, call Warrior Woman Law 24/7 for a free consultation.
“I was referred to Sunshine after an alcohol-related arrest. She gave me a comprehensive but no-nonsense overview of what to expect, and was upfront and honest throughout the process. Most importantly, Sunshine persuasively negotiated with the Prosecutor, resulting in a favorable outcome for my case.”
- Tim
