Finding insurance for motorcycles looks easy with all the insurance choices offered these days, and you know what? It is easy, even if you’re looking for a motorcycle insurance policy for a non-standard bike. Finding motorcycle insurance isn’t really any different than finding automotive insurance, and in many cases, insurance for motorcycles is easier and more straightforward to understand than auto insurance.
Motorcycle insurance falls into several categories under two different policies, one for on-road motorcycles and another for off-road motorcycles. Unlike automotive insurance, however, insurance for motorcycles can be absolutely critical to get right the first time around. In practically every case of motorcycle accidents, the sorts of accidents which, in an automobile, would be relatively minor, on a motorcycle can result in life-changing injuries. Choosing the correct motorcycle insurance, then, as well as understanding all aspects of your motorcycle insurance policy, is vitally important.
Different types of motorcycles will have slightly different policy types, but the basics are pretty similar, with just a few differences. On-road motorcycles are insured almost the same way that cars are insured, except that motorcycle insurance is typically considerably less expensive for experienced riders than for brand-new, young riders.
The types of insurance covered by a motorcycle insurance policy include pretty much the standard automobile insurance coverages, tweaked. You’ll have liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. These cover other drivers, and you who might be injured or property damaged should you be found at fault in an accident. Because motorcycle accidents tend to result in higher medical bills than property damage bills, the coverages for this motorcycle insurance tend to be higher than you might be accustomed to.
Your motorcycle insurance coverage should include, at the very least, these coverages:
Bodily Injury Coverage
This type of motorcycle insurance covers others in the case of an accident in which someone is hurt. This type of motorcycle insurance is required in most states and covers medical needs.
Property Damage Liability
Covers damage to personal property such as yards, mailboxes, homes, damaged vehicles, etc.
Medical payments
Pays for doctor and emergency room visits
Uninsured motorist
Covers you against irresponsible motorists and acts as both collision and comprehensive coverage should an uninsured motorist be found at fault.
Comprehensive
This motorcycle insurance covers you against damage other than that obtained while riding. Damage like this is typically found by someone pushing your motorcycle off its side stand in a parking lot and is always a good idea to have, though a deductible applies.
Collision
Covers against damage to the motorcycle itself incurred during an accident. If you twist the frame or the bodywork is damaged, this is the motorcycle insurance that’ll cover it. This motorcycle insurance coverage also covers theft of the motorcycle. This is the coverage in which you’ll find some of your deductibles.
All of these coverages should be familiar to you if you have experience with automotive insurance policies. They work pretty much the same way, but you’ll find that motorcycle insurance is typically a lot less expensive than auto insurance due to the fact that the riding months in many parts of America are seasonal.
Off-road motorcycle insurance policies are slightly different from on-road motorcycle insurance policies, acting as recreational vehicle insurance rather than standard motorcycle insurance. Under this category, you’ll also find ATVs, off-road utility vehicles, and companies. Even personal watercraft are grouped into the same category. Essential coverage for these rides is similar to on-road motorcycle insurance policies, with comprehensive and collision coverage, bodily injury, and property damage, but you won’t tend to have uninsured motorist coverage due to the simple fact that these motorcycles aren’t ridden on the street legally.