In most cases, the insurance coverage for motorcycles is very similar to the coverage you get for cars or trucks. However, there are some differences. To ensure you’re protected from the financial effects of a motorcycle accident, you may want the following types of coverage.
Bodily Injury Liability
Most, if not all states require you to have liability coverage on your motorcycle. This coverage kicks in and pays for the other driver’s bodily injuries if you are at fault for an accident.. That includes medical costs, but it can also include lost wages due to the injuries and psychological suffering.
In Massachusetts, you are required to have at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage for your motorcycle. New Hampshire doesn’t require motorcycle owners to have any liability coverage, but to be on the safe side, you should get coverage anyway.
However, if any of the following things happen in New Hampshire, you will need to get coverage and register an SR-22 liability policy with the state:
- Being in an accident
- Getting charged with driving under the influence
- Facing multiple reckless driving charges
- Dealing with any traffic violation that may trigger the DMV to look at your situation
In New Hampshire, your SR-22 must include at least $25,000 liability coverage per person for injuries or death, up to $50,000 liability coverage per accident, and up to $25,000 for property damage.
Property Damage Liability
Like bodily injury liability, property damage liability also covers situations when you are responsible for the accident. This type of coverage applies to damage to the other driver’s vehicle or other property damage.
In Massachusetts, you must have at least $5,000 in property damage liability coverage for your motorcycle. As long as you have this and your bodily injury coverage, that is all you are legally required to have, but you may want to add additional coverage to your motorcycle to protect yourself financially. As indicated above, you only need property damage liability coverage in New Hampshire, if you’ve been ordered to obtain an SR-22 policy.
Collision Coverage
Keep in mind that liability coverage only covers damage sustained by the other driver. If you just have liability coverage and you get into an accident that’s your fault, your insurance won’t cover any of your expenses. To prevent that from happening, you need collision coverage. That helps to pay for your motorcycle repair and replacement costs.
Coverage for Custom Parts
Do you have any custom parts on your motorcycle? If so, those parts may increase the value of your motorcycle beyond the average value for that make and model of bike. To ensure everything is covered, talk with your agent about extra coverage for specific custom parts.
Medical Payments
Unfortunately, collision coverage usually only extends to costs related directly to the motorcycle. If you’re injured in the accident, you have to use your health insurance to cover your bodily injuries or you have to pay out of pocket. Alternatively, medical payments coverage can step in to help with these bills. Note that if you tend to ride with a passenger on your bike, you should get medical payments coverage for at least two people. This coverage is usually calculated on a per-person basis.
Towing Coverage
Towing coverage is very specific, and it tends to be quite affordable. If you get in an accident, this covers the cost of towing your motorcycle to the repair shop.
Rental Car Coverage
People often forget to even consider rental car coverage on their motorcycle policies, and if your motorcycle is just for weekend drives, you probably don’t need this type of coverage. However, if your motorcycle is your main vehicle, you should consider adding this coverage to your policy. If you’re in a motorcycle accident and you can’t drive your motorcycle, this covers the cost of renting a vehicle to get around.
Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage
Unfortunately, not all drivers are responsible enough to insure themselves adequately, and still others don’t have insurance at all. Usually, when another driver causes an accident, their insurance covers the damage, but if they have too little coverage or no insurance at all, their policy won’t cover your damages. In this situation, you need under or uninsured motorist coverage. Generally, there are two types of coverage to protect yourself from un and underinsured motorists in a motorcycle accident: bodily injury and property damage coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury Coverage
Uninsured/underinsured bodily injury coverage covers your medical bills, physical therapy, and similar costs related to your accident in situations where the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance. If you don’t have comprehensive health insurance, you may want to get this type of coverage to be on the safe side.
Uninsured/Underinsured Property Damage Coverage
This coverage helps with any property damage that occurs as the result of an accident with an un or underinsured driver. For instance, if an uninsured driver runs over your motorcycle and completely destroys it, this type of coverage kicks in. Arguably, if you already have health insurance, this type of coverage is even more essential than bodily injury coverage.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you can’t always rely on motorcycle insurance to cover the damages, and that’s where we come in. At Mazow | McCullough, P.C., we can help you get the compensation you deserve after a motorcycle accident. For a free case evaluation, contact us today at (978) 744-8000.
