Make sure you have the right motorcycle insurance before you bang the accelerator

Motorcycle insurance can either be a stand-along policy or ratification to an auto insurance policy.

As per the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), if you are one of the proud owners of the nation’s eight million happy bikers, spring may be the time to get it before the sunlight. It may also be a great time for motorcycle owners to once again review their insurance coverage. Often, auto insurance carriers offer bike or motorcycle insurance as either a stand-alone policy or ratification to a personal auto insurance policy. This is a specific kind of endorsement (sometimes, also called a rider) that you can procure by filling up the supplementary form attached to the auto insurance policy. In most US states, a biker needs to carry at least a minimum amount of liability insurance that covers for bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD). Apart from the basic requirements, you can also add some additional features to your policy. For example, you could include a first-party medical coverage that would protect you from unexpected medical expenses (doctor and hospital bills) incurring from an accident. Additionally, UM/UIM coverage is recommended and sometimes mandatory in many states as an indispensable part of the motorcyclist’s insurance policy since UM/UIM covers your BI-related expenses in case you suffer injuries in an accident caused by another driver who either doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance is derisory. There are other optional insurance coverages available to bikers that include:

1. Collision coverage: A collision coverage rider would cover for the damages to your motorcycle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.
2. Comprehensive: This covers damages to your motorcycle caused by unusual events such as fire, theft or vandalism.
3. Emergency road service: This add-on policy covers towing and roadside assistance costs.
4. Accessories and customization: This provides coverage for repair or replacement of biking accessories like riding jackets, customized exhaust pipes, saddles bags and seats.

Moreover, there are several aspects that constitute the rate of your insurance premiums, which include:

• Driver’s age and driving history
• The driver’s place of residence
• The model of the bike, make and horsepower
• Where the motorcycle is primarily stored and driven

While purchasing the right motorcycle insurance is significant, riding it safely and with the required safety equipment is something more important.