Riding a motorcycle comes with risks. As someone who enjoys riding, you have chosen to accept that risk, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Good motorcycle insurance will ensure that if the worst happens, you are protected financially. The last thing you want to worry about after an accident is whether your insurance will cover the damage.
With so many insurance companies out there, how do you find the best policy to fit your needs? Here are the key factors to consider as you shop around.
Liability Coverage
Liability insurance is the type of coverage that comes into play if you cause damage to someone else’s vehicle, property, or person while driving your motorcycle. There are actually two types of liability coverage that a good motorcycle insurance policy must include:
1. Property Damage Liability
This type of coverage will pay for damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or physical property when riding your motorcycle. If you accidentally drive into someone’s hedgerow, personal damage liability coverage will pay for them to fix or replace the damaged landscaping. If you turn into the side of the vehicle, this coverage will pay to have the vehicle repaired.
Different insurance policies have different claim limits for property damage liability. It’s common to see a $25,000 limit per accident, but your needs may be different.
2. Bodily Injury Liability
This second type of liability insurance covers bodily damage you cause to another human being while driving your motorcycle. For instance, if you are found at fault for a collision in which the other driver breaks their arm, your bodily injury liability coverage will pay for the medical care they require.
Motorcycle drivers sometimes assume that since they’re on a smaller vehicle, they are less likely to cause injuries. However, you could collide with another motorcycle driver, and even a collision with an enclosed car could lead to injuries that are expensive to treat. With the cost of medical care being as high as it is, you really can’t have too much bodily injury liability coverage.
Personal Injury Protection
In the state of Florida, motorcycle drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in medical benefits. This coverage is permitted to come from your health insurance, and not necessarily from your auto insurance plan. But just because the state allows you to drive around with this little medical coverage does not mean doing so is a good idea.
A motorcycle crash can easily lead to injuries that cost more than $10,000 to treat. And counting on your health insurance to cover your care is not a fool-proof plan as that likely means you’ll pay a high deductible.
Some motorcyclists figure that if they get into a crash, the other driver’s insurance will cover their medical bills. This is not a wise strategy, either. If you cause the crash — which could happen as even the best drivers make mistakes — the other driver’s insurance won’t cover your medical bills. Some motorcycle accidents are also one-vehicle collisions, in which case there is no other driver whose policy can pay.
A good motorcycle insurance plan, therefore, includes substantial medical benefits. An insurance broker can help you calculate exactly how much coverage you should carry, but the $50,000 – $100,000 range is a good starting point.
Guest Passenger Liability Coverage
Motorcyclists in Florida are not required to carry guest passenger liability coverage, but once again, that does not mean you should not have this coverage. A good insurance broker will explain to you that without this coverage, you could be held liable for the medical bills of anyone who is injured while riding as a passenger on your motorcycle.
Even if you only have a passenger on occasion, this coverage can protect you from financial devastation. Although it is an optional coverage, you should be wary of any insurance company that does not at least suggest adding it to your policy.
Personal Belongings Coverage
Personal belongings coverage will pay to replace your gear and personal items if they are damaged or stolen while on your motorcycle.
Not every rider needs personal belongings coverage. If you rarely take anything with you and your gear is not overly valuable, this coverage may not be necessary. On the other hand, if you use your motorcycle to commute to work and your saddlebags are always loaded, this coverage is a wise addition to your policy. A good insurance agent will talk with you about the ways you use your motorcycle and help you decide whether personal belongings coverage is a smart buy.
Local Offices
Selecting the best motorcycle insurance is not just about the coverage being offered. You must also consider the ease of filing a claim with the insurance company that you choose. Keep in mind that if you are involved in a motorcycle crash, you probably won’t be feeling your best for some time afterward. Having to make multiple phone calls to an unresponsive insurance agent or deal with a complex online system may be challenging in your state.
Taking out a motorcycle insurance policy with a local insurance company is usually your best bet. If the worst should happen, you know who to call. The insurer will be more familiar with the hospitals and infrastructure in your area, and they’ll be better able to serve you as a result.
Personable, Helpful Staff
As you begin to shop around for motorcycle insurance, also pay attention to the way that staff members treat you. An insurance agent who asks a lot of questions and shows an interest in understanding your needs is likely to design an insurance policy that better fits your needs. They will also be better able to serve you in the event that you do have to make a claim. After a crash, you need your insurance agent to be on your side. The best ones make it clear, from the very beginning, that they have your back.
Florida’s laws regarding motorcycle insurance are quite lax, but driving around with the minimum coverage is never wise. A good insurance policy with adequate protection will give you peace of mind. Hopefully, you never have to make a claim – but if you do, having good coverage from a great insurance company will simplify the process so you can get back on the road sooner, and with fewer headaches.
Flagler County Insurance Agency has been serving the area for more than 100 years. We offer customized coverage and create a motorcycle insurance policy to perfectly fit your needs. Contact us soon to schedule a visit.