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Spring Is Motorcycle Season; And Time to Check Your Bike Has the Right Insurance Coverage

What You Need to Know About Protecting Your Ride

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

 

NEW YORK, March 17, 2016 — Marking the start of spring, motorcycle enthusiasts gathered this month at a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, and will do so again in June in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. But do they have the right insurance coverage? Motorcycle insurance is a must for any avid biker, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

 

“Auto insurers often offer motorcycle insurance coverage as either a stand-alone policy or an endorsement to a personal automobile policy,” said Michael Barry, vice president, Media Relations, at the I.I.I.

 

Like auto insurance, some coverages are required for motorcyclists; others are optional.

 

  1. Required coverages: Most states require motorcyclists to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, to cover bodily injury and property damage costs caused to other people involved in an accident. In addition, uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIM) motorist coverage is recommended, or even required, in many states as part of a motorcyclist’s policy to cover expenses for damage were caused by another driver who either does not have insurance, or whose insurance is inadequate. 

    The mandatory minimum limits for these coverages in states where they are required for motorcyclists are generally similar to those required for automobiles.

 

  1. Optional coverages:
    a) Collision—covers damage resulting from a collision with another vehicle, an object or as a result of flipping over.  

    b) Comprehensive—covers damage caused by events such as fire, flood, falling objects, theft or vandalism.

    c) First-party medical coverage—covers your own medical expenses if they were incurred in an accident while operating your motorcycle.

    c) Emergency road service—covers towing and roadside assistance costs.

    d) Accessories and customization—covers the repair or replacement of accessories, like helmets and safety jackets, and customized equipment added to the motorcycle after purchase, such as exhaust pipes, saddle bags, and seats.

 

Beyond the types and amount of coverage purchased, several factors will also affect how much you pay for motorcycle insurance, including:

  • Your age and driving record
  • Where you live
  • The model, make and horsepower of your motorcycle
  • Where you store and drive your motorcycle

 

RELATED LINKS

Issues Update: Motorcycle Crashes

Facts and Statistics: Motorcycle Crashes

 

Sign up for the I.I.I.’s Check20 email for regular auto, home and safety tips.

 

The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its You Tube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.

 

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

 

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org

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