There’s nothing like the feeling of a motorcycle ride on a beautiful day. But like most exciting things in life, motorcycle riding involves risk. And like most insurance products, motorcycle insurance helps protect you against the risks associated with your guilty pleasure.

The risk of financial loss from owning and operating a motorcycle is serious. Motorcycle insurance helps protect you from financial loss should something happen to the motorcycle itself. There is also the possibility of financial loss if you are responsible for someone else’s property damage or personal injuries while operating your motorcycle.

Another risk of financial loss stemming from motorcycles is your own medical bills if you are injured in a motorcycle accident.

 

A motorcycle insurance policy can provide coverage for:

• Replacing your motorcycle if it is a total loss in an accident.
• Replacing your motorcycle if it is destroyed in a covered loss that isn’t a collision, such as a severe weather event or theft.
• Your medical bills if you are injured in a motorcycle accident.
• Uninsured motorist coverage if you are involved in an accident with another party that doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damage and medical bills.
• Coverage for your motorcycle accessories and upgrades such as helmets, custom equipment, etc.

What is Minimum Liability Motorcycle Insurance?

Liability insurance is one of the most important coverages you can carry on your motorcycle. Just as with auto insurance, all states have minimum liability limits that a motorist is required to carry. In North Carolina those limits are:

• $30,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident

These limits are often written as 30/60/25.

Liability insurance helps protects you from financial loss, up to the limits stated in the, if you are at fault for an accident. Bodily injury liability helps cover you if you are responsible for someone’s injuries. Property damage liability helps protect you if you damage someone’s property.

With the minimum coverage, your insurance policy will pay up to $30,000 for the other party’s injuries with a maximum of $60,000 for total injuries for the other party. The policy will also pay a maximum of $25,000 for the property you are responsible for damaging.

 

If you carry only the minimum liability limits, you may not have enough coverage if you are involved in a serious accident and this can lead to a lawsuit.

 

Motorcycles Carry Special Risk

Motorcycles carry special risks that should be properly insured against. Motorcycle riders must have proper insurance to protect them and their motorcycle.

A motorcycle also carries more financial risk than a vehicle. Here’s why:

• Motorcycles are smaller than vehicles and can be more difficult for other motorists to see.
• Motorcycles can travel much faster than other vehicles and can be quickly maneuvered while operating.
• A motorcycle is less stable than a vehicle since it has only two wheels. If an operator loses focus, a motorcycle can tip or be involved in an accident.
• Motorcycle riders don’t have the protection of a vehicle. Motorcycles don’t have seat belts or airbags for riders. Even the most safety-conscious riders can suffer serious injuries if they are involved in an accident.

Motorcycles by nature carry more risk than a vehicle. Good coverage comes from being insured properly and above the minimum liability limits required by state law.

 

How Much Insurance is Enough?

How much insurance you purchase for your motorcycle should be discussed with an insurance professional.

There are many factors to consider, including what type of motorcycle you have, how you ride it and what type of assets you are attempting to cover. Some discussion points that may come up when you are purchasing motorcycle insurance include:

• Are you riding a light motorcycle with high horsepower – a motorcycle intended for speed and maneuverability?
• Are you riding for pleasure or commute?
• Will you race your motorcycle?
• What type of motorcycle do you ride?

These and other factors will help determine how much motorcycle liability insurance you should purchase to help cover yourself as well as good coverage for your motorcycle.

 

Why Above Minimum Liability is Important for Motorcycle Riders

There are many reasons why minimum liability limits are not enough for motorcycle operators. As a motorcycle rider, you are more likely to be involved in an accident and injuries can be more serious. You are also able to travel at higher rates of speed that can result in costly damages to other’s property or serious injuries. When you are out with the wind in your hair, it is good to know that you have good coverage from a motorcycle insurance policy.

To learn more about how a motorcycle insurance policy will help with determining what limits you should carry, contact our team at protectiveagency.com by calling  (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.