Motorcycle Insurance Quote

New bike motorcycle owners are often surprised to discover that they need motorcycle insurance.  After all, a bike is significantly lighter and easier to maneuver than an automobile or truck.  That is of course true, but motorcycles are also a lot harder for drivers of other vehicles to see, less stable if they hit a pothole or patch of oil, and offer no protection whatsoever for a rider in the event of any sort of accident.

So, there are a lot of good reasons to purchase motorcycle insurance and it is required to ride on public roads in nearly every state, but there are a few states, including Montana, where it is not required.

However, unless all of your road trips are from Helena to Missoula you pretty much need insurance for your motorcycle.  But don’t worry – getting a motorcycle insurance quote can be quick and painless if you go to the right agent.

Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

In most respects a motorcycle insurance policy is exactly like for automobile coverage – but there are a few minor differences that are worth thinking about:

•             Liability – States generally requires motorcyclists to carry a minimum amount of liability to cover injuries to any third parties.   How much liability coverage you decide to include is largely up to you, but remember that your liability coverage should be high enough to cover most of the medical expenses that a third party might suffer because of your actions.  If someone is injured in an accident that is your responsibility then you would be required to cover the costs of additional medical expenses beyond what is covered by your liability policy and that could add up in a hurry.

Of course, this is the central dilemma of all insurance.  Most people cannot afford to purchase enough insurance to cover them in every instance, so you have to consider your financial resources and how much you ride and make the right decision in your case.  However, in general the more you ride the more insurance you should probably carry.

Also, if you ride in cities a lot you should probably carry more motorcycle insurance, because pedestrians and motorcycles don’t mix well.  Often pedestrians fail to look for motorcycles and if a motorcycle bumps a pedestrian, even at very low speeds, the medical costs could be astronomical.

Finally, most liability coverage includes Guest Passenger Liability coverage that offers injury protection to anyone who might ride with you.   In fact, if you are not certain you have guest passenger liability you should never carry passengers under any circumstances.

•             Collision -  Collision insurance coverage is required to reimburses for damage to your motorcycle in an accident – minus the deductible.   Collision is often required if you are financing the purchase of a new bike, but in most respects it is identical to car insurance.

One important point to remember is that the coverage normally only covers factory equipment.  Any extra equipment or modifications are generally not covered in basic collision policies, but if you have a bike that you have really customized you can add additional coverage.   This can get pretty complicated and each company has different rules, so be sure you ask about it up front if you have a highly customized bike.

Collision is often a nice addition for neophyte riders who have purchased expensive bikes, because it covers the damages, minus deductible, even if you are at fault in the accident.  So, if you are not an experienced rider and you just purchased a high end touring bike it could be worth the expense, because most beginning riders suffer some sort of minor accident and those can quickly add up on a top of the line bike.

•             Comprehensive  -  If your bike is damaged in circumstances other than a traffic accident, like vandalism, fire or theft, comprehensive insurance covers the loss, minus deductible.   If you live in a rural, low crime area you might not want to carry any comprehensive coverage, but if you live in a city and ride your bike to work every day it is probably worth the extra cost.

Many police departments do a very poor job recovering stolen motorcycles and in some big cities there are criminal gangs that specialize in stealing motorcycles and shipping the out of the country.

•             Uninsured Motorist  -  If you are hit by some guy who is uninsured, this coverage pays the medical bills and any lost wages you might suffer.   Again, each motorcyclist’s need for uninsured motorist coverage varies widely, but, remember, drivers without insurance are often the worst drivers.

Uninsured motorist coverage helps protect yourself and your family, so it is worth considering carefully.

•             Underinsured Motorist  -  This coverage reimburses is similar to uninsured motorists insurance and it covers you if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all your damages.  Often underinsured motorist is bundled with uninsured motorist insurance, but of course make sure you know for sure.

Getting the Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance Quote

A variety of factors determine the premiums for motorcycle insurance.   Among the most important factors are your age, your previous driving record, which kind of bike you own, and where you live.

This is one case where age has its benefits, because older motorcycle riders generally get significant if discounts if they have a good driving record.

If you bought an expensive, high powered racing bike you are going to pay higher rates than if you are the proud owner of a mid-range touring bike.

However, there are ways to keep your costs down.   First, taking an approved “rider-training” course,  can earn you a discount as high as 15%.   If you belong to a motorcycle club there are sometimes discounts, and if you live up north and you are only going to ride in the summer check into a “lay up” policy, which suspends all coverage (except comprehensive) during those icy winter months.

Finally, shop, shop, shop, because there are wide differences in motorcycle insurance policies and coverage from company to company.  Also, after getting a few quotes, be sure to check with the insurance company you purchase your auto insurance from, because they often give package discounts to motorcycle owners that also insure their cars with them.