Uninsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
If you wish to operate a standard vehicle or motorcycle, you will find that the vast majority of states require you to have liability insurance to help cover costs associated with property damage or injuries suffered by others in a traffic accident for which are at fault.
While most drivers and and motorcyclists are also required to have liability insurance, there is still an alarming amount of people on the streets operating their cars or bikes without proper insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist protection is a type of optional coverage you can add to your motorcycle insurance policy that can help protect you financially if you are involved in a crash caused by an uninsured driver or motorcyclist.
Read more to learn about how you can get protected by uninsured motorist coverage.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Protection?
As you might guess by its name, this insurance coverage offers financial protection if you are hit by a driver or fellow motorcyclist who doesn't have car or motorcycle insurance.
This insurance often gets paired with underinsured motorist coverage, which makes up the difference when an at-fault driver carries an inadequate amount of insurance (as opposed to no insurance).
Most insurance carriers split their uninsured motorist protection into the following forms:
- Bodily injury: Pays for medical-related expenses you sustain from an accident, including:
- Doctor's bills.
- Hospital visits.
- Prescription medications.
- Physical therapy.
- Health care at home.
- Lost wages if you can't work.
- Property damage: Pays for accident-related expenses to repair or replace your property, such as your motorcycle.
Keep in mind that you can sue the uninsured driver and attempt to acquire payment for the expenses caused. However, the legal road can be long and challenging, and it can be difficult to collect the money, even after a successful outcome.
How Much Uninsured Motorcycle Insurance is Enough?
It's best to consult with an insurance agent or other qualified financial professional to determine the right amount of coverage.
Just remember that accident costs can pile up quickly; once your uninsured motorist limits have been met, you're on your own when it comes to paying the remaining bills. It may make the most sense to buy as much coverage as you can afford to avoid paying a lot out of pocket.
A small group of states require motorcyclists to carry uninsured motorist coverage. If you live in such a state, you must at least meet the minimum insurance limits. In most cases, the minimum limits equal the minimums for your regular liability insurance.
Where to Buy Uninsured Motorist Insurance
You can purchase this coverage from just about any carrier that sells motorcycle insurance, which means most auto insurance companies.
Considering this, you should leverage this competition and comparison shop to find the best rates for uninsured motorist coverage, as well as for any other types of motorcycle insurance you wish to buy, such as collision and comprehensive.
It's quickest to do comparison-shop online; some sites even allow you to compare quotes from multiple providers at a glance. Follow up with the individual insurers afterward to learn the details of their coverages.