The Most Important Coverage on Your Motorcycle Insurance Policy
On a bike, it’s easy to feel free. Invincible, even. But many auto or truck drivers don’t turn to take that extra look. They don’t watch out for anything smaller than their own vehicle. They look for big things.
That’s how Dave got hit. Got swept right out of his lane by a pickup truck, whose driver was too preoccupied texting while passing another car. Luckily, Dave survived… barely. His leg didn’t. The guy who hit him didn’t have insurance. Dave did. And his insurance helped take care of the medical bills, physical therapy, and the months he was without a paycheck.
Dave’s accident taught you a lesson. You’ve vowed to become more cycle-smart and get your stuff in order before you take off again. Get motorcycle insurance.
As you shop for your Motorcycle Insurance policy, keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to insurance. And you want a policy that protects you when you need it. Cheap coverage usually provides you only with low liability limits, and, what’s worse, with the most important coverage completely missing:
Here at Joyce, Jackman & Bell Insurors, we have reviewed countless policies that did not include Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Yet, this is probably the single most important part of a motorcycle policy. UM/UIM is the coverage that paid for Dave in the example above. Without it, he would have gotten nothing.
Not having UM/UIM coverage can hurt you quite badly. Here’s why:
As a biker, your risk of being at-fault in an accident is comparatively low. But, your risk of getting hit is relatively high. That’s where your UM/UIM coverage applies.
Your Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists coverage kicks in if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have the insurance or resources to pay for your injuries, medical payments, loss of wages, and damage to your bike. If the person who hit you doesn’t have the money to pay for the damages they caused you, your own insurance will protect you. But only if you have the right insurance. This is what your UM/UIM coverage does for you.
You cannot buy stand-alone UM/UIM coverage. Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists coverage can only be obtained in combination with liability coverage, and it can only be purchased up to the limits of your liability coverage. You cannot carry low liability limits, but high UM/UIM limits.
Now, don’t get us wrong: We are not saying that liability coverage is not necessary for bikers. Actually, it is very important to have adequate liability limits to protect yourself and your assets if you are at fault in an accident and cause damage to another party.
To sum it all up: You want Motorcycle Insurance so you can protect yourself! Whether that is a liability lawsuit or an irresponsible driver who hit you.
Motorcycle Insurance will help protect you, your bike, as well as your assets in case you ever find yourself in a liability lawsuit. Joyce, Jackman & Bell Insurors can help you protect almost any type of motorcycle, whether it’s a Dirt Bike or a Street Cruiser, a Vintage bike, or a customized high-performance machine.