Motorcycle Insurance

All drivers on the road need coverage for themselves, their vehicles, and others. This includes motorcyclists. Having proper motorcycle insurance can not only protect you from liability issues but also protect your bike from weather damage, theft, and much more.

Our independent insurance agents can help you find the right motorcycle insurance. They'll get you set up with enough coverage long before you ever need to file a claim. But first, here's a deep dive into motorcycle insurance, what it covers, and more. 

What Is Motorcycle Insurance? 

Motorcycle insurance is a special form of auto insurance designed to protect owners and riders of motorcycles. Most policies come with liability protection for third-party bodily injuries or property damage, which is legally required in most states. 

Motorcycle insurance also typically includes several optional coverages, like collision coverage to protect you from the costs of physical damage after accidents and comprehensive insurance for threats other than collisions.

Why Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance?

Motorcycles can be dangerous and, sometimes, even deadly. Motorcycle riders are much more likely to suffer serious injuries or death in an accident than drivers of other vehicles on the road. Here are just a few stats regarding motorcycle accidents and fatalities:

• The risk of death for motorcyclists is 27 times higher than for drivers of other vehicles.
• In collisions, the death rate for motorcycle passengers is almost six times higher than for passengers in other vehicles.
• Each year, there are more than 25 motorcycle riders killed for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Having motorcycle insurance, especially personal injury protection coverage, is critical due to the risky nature of motorcycle riding. In addition, most states require motorcyclists to have at least liability coverage before they can legally hit the road. An independent insurance agent can further explain why having coverage is so critical.

What Does Motorcycle Liability Insurance Cover?

In general, a motorcycle insurance policy is similar to a car insurance policy. Three forms of liability coverage together in one convenient package comprise the core of protection. Motorcycle insurance can then be completed with various optional coverages. The main liability coverages in motorcycle liability insurance are:

• Bodily injury liability for one person: Covers treatment costs if a third party gets hurt.
• Bodily injury liability for everyone involved: Covers treatment costs if multiple third parties get hurt.
• Property damage liability: Covers repair costs if a third party's personal property gets damaged.

With motorcycle insurance, you set your protection limits. So, if you purchase a 10/20/10 plan, your motorcycle insurance company will pay, per accident, up to $10,000 in medical care for one person, $20,000 for all injuries, and $10,000 in property damage. An independent insurance agent can further explain how your motorcycle liability insurance works.

Other Types of Coverage Included in Motorcycle Insurance

Once you've got your liability protection set, there are still many other coverages your independent insurance agent may recommend adding to your motorcycle insurance policy. These can include the following:

• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your motorcycle from a collision with another object, regardless of fault. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your motorcycle due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. 
• Medical payments coverage: Covers reasonable and necessary medical expenses if you injure yourself or your passengers while using your motorcycle.
• Personal injury protection: Covers medical expenses, lost income, funeral expenses, childcare, and more if you get injured in a motorcycle accident. This coverage is not available in every state.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Covers you if you're involved in an accident with another driver who doesn't have sufficient coverage to pay for their portion of the expenses.

Your independent insurance agent can help recommend any of these coverages or others to add to your motorcycle insurance policy.

Additional Motorcycle Insurance Coverages to Consider

There are several additional motorcycle insurance options to choose from. Some of the most common extra coverage options offered by motorcycle insurance companies include the following:

• Motorcycle and off-road vehicle transport trailer damage coverage: Covers your trailer from damage and losses relating to collision, rollover, vandalism, and many natural disasters.
• Loan/lease gap coverage: Covers the difference between your motorcycle's current value and what's owed on your loan or lease if your bike gets stolen or totaled in an accident. Loan/lease gap coverage is only available if you first purchase both comprehensive and collision insurance. 
• Towing and labor coverage: Covers the costs of towing and labor if you get into an accident or your bike breaks down.
• Rental reimbursement: Covers the costs of a rental if your bike gets stolen or is in the shop for repairs.
• Optional/added equipment coverage: Covers aftermarket upgrades to your bike, such as crash bars, custom seats, and fairings. Available coverage amounts vary by insurer.

If you're unsure whether your motorcycle insurance package is complete, your independent insurance agent can help you fill in any remaining gaps. 

What's Not Covered by Motorcycle Insurance?

Motorcycle insurance provides a lot of important protection, but not all uses of your bike are covered. Motorcycle insurance tends to exclude the following:

• Commercial or business use of your motorcycle: If your motorcycle is used for deliveries or other business endeavors, you'll likely need a commercial vehicle insurance policy.
• Track days and competitions: Many policies don't cover track days or competitions and require at least temporary extra coverage for these events.

Sometimes, you can buy a rider or endorsement to get additional coverage not provided by your regular motorcycle insurance policy. However, sometimes, you'll need to purchase full add-ons. Your independent insurance agent will help you address any coverage exclusion concerns. 

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Insurance for Totaled or Stolen Motorcycles

Some of the greatest disasters that could happen to a motorcycle owner are theft of their bike or the total destruction of it in an accident or other catastrophe. Depending on your specific policy, your settlement payment can come in one of three forms:

• Actual cash value: Reimburses you for the current cash value of your bike, factoring in depreciation and the cost of your deductible. 
• Stated amount: Reimburses you for the amount you chose when you bought your policy.
• Agreed value: Reimburses you for the agreed-upon amount when you first bought the policy. The deductible is not subtracted from your claims check.

When signing up for coverage, custom or classic bike owners are usually offered either a stated amount or an agreed-value settlement from their insurance companies. An independent insurance agent can help you find a policy that offers the settlement type you want.

FAQs about Motorcycle Insurance

The Benefits of Working with an Independent Insurance Agent

Independent insurance agents can help you find the right motorcycle insurance policy. They can shop and compare policies and quotes from multiple carriers for you. Ultimately, they'll get you matched to a policy that offers the best overall blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent can help file motorcycle insurance claims for you and update your coverage as necessary.