We all can agree that riding a motorcycle inherently carries high risks. Riders are vulnerable to severe injuries or fatalities in accidents due to less physical protection and higher likelihood of being involved in a crash. Such risks call for riders to opt in for some kind of protection against these unexpected events. However, even in the presence of an insurance policy, the most common question many motorcycle owners in the USA and across Europe have is; does the insurance policy for bikes also cover all their medical bills in case of an accident?
- Does health insurance cover motorcycle accident injuries?
- Do you need insurance for a motorcycle in Florida?
- Does your motorcycle insurance policy also cover theft?
Whether all your medical bills are covered under your motorcycle insurance policy greatly varies from one insurer to another. Therefore, it’s equally important for you to understand what your insurance covers, its limits, plus the benefits included. So, in this guide, we will explore the extent of coverage for typical motorcycle insurance and what medical bills you should expect to be paid in case of an accident.
Do you have to have a motorcycle insurance policy?
It is often a legal requirement, with most states in the USA and across Europe mandating at least a minimum level of liability coverage to protect against damages and injuries you may cause to others in an accident. However, Florida is the only state in the USA that doesn’t mandate riders to have a motorcycle insurance policy. In fact, the state law in Florida only requires riders to carry a minimum of $10,000 coverage to pay for injuries sustained in a crash.
Beyond legal compliance, motorcycle insurance provides financial protection by covering unexpected expenses such as repair costs, medical expenses, and potential lawsuits. Without such a cover for riders, these risks can lead to significant financial burdens. Therefore, we recommend that you opt in for a suitable motorcycle insurance that will cover you in such occurrences, more so when you sustain injuries and need tp pay your medical bills.
Types of motorcycle insurance policies and what they cover
Motorcycle insurance policies come in various types, each designed to cover different aspects of risk associated with riding a motorcycle. So if you own a bike in the USA or across Europe, here are the main types of motorcycle insurance policies you may want to consider depending on what they cover:
Liability Insurance: Includes policies such as Bodily Injury Liability, which covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees for other people injured in an accident where you are at fault. Additionally, there is also Property Damage Liability, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing other people’s property damaged in an accident where you are at fault.
Collision Coverage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle if it is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault.
Comprehensive Coverage: Covers non-collision-related damages to your motorcycle, such as those resulting from theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, and falling objects.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): This is the motorcycle insurance that will cover medical bills for you and your passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. It may also cover essential services like childcare if you are unable to perform them due to your injuries.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This will cover your medical expenses and property damage if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance.
What is comprehensive motorcycle insurance?
Comprehensive motorcycle insurance is a type of coverage that protects against a wide range of non-collision-related damages to your motorcycle. This includes protection against theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters (such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes), falling objects, and damage caused by animals.
Comprehensive insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle if it is damaged or destroyed in these incidents. Unlike liability insurance, which only covers damage to others; comprehensive insurance provides financial protection for your own bike, offering peace of mind that you’re protected from various unforeseen events.
What is covered in liability insurance for motorcycle?
Liability insurance for motorcycles covers damages and injuries that you cause to others in an accident where you are at fault. This includes bodily injury liability, which pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees for other people injured in the accident, and property damage liability, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property such as other vehicles, buildings, and structures.
However, it does not cover any injuries you sustain or damage to your own motorcycle. Liability insurance is essential for protecting you from financial loss due to legal claims and lawsuits arising from accidents you cause.
What are Motorcycle insurance requirements in the USA?
Motorcycle insurance requirements in the USA vary by state, but generally, most states mandate at least a minimum level of liability coverage.
For instance, in California, you are required to have $15,000 in bodily injury per person, $30,000 in total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 in property damage per accident. Find other state requirements from Progressive website.
Does motorcycle insurance cover medical bills?
In a nutshell, motorcycle insurance can cover medical bills in case of an accident if you have specific coverage options included in your policy, such as Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). MedPay covers medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault, while PIP, available in some states, offers broader coverage including medical expenses and lost wages.
Standard liability insurance, however, does not cover your own medical bills like we explained earlier on. Therefore, it’s important to always review your policy details and consider adding MedPay or PIP for comprehensive medical coverage.
In conclusion, we hope this guide has answered your burning question about how your motorcycle insurance policy may cover for necesary medical bills in case you are involved in an accident. Let us know if you have any other question concerning auto insurance. Our insurance experts will be glad to answer you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, medical insurance typically covers injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. This includes emergency services, hospitalization, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, and rehabilitation therapies necessary for recovery. But it will also depend on what is included in your insurance policy. So, we emphasize that you read and understand the language in your policy before making a claim.
Motorbike insurance typically covers a range of risks and expenses associated with owning and riding a motorcycle. This includes liability coverage, which pays for damages and injuries you cause to others if you’re at fault in an accident. Collision coverage helps pay for repairs to your motorcycle after a crash, regardless of fault, while comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision-related damages such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters
However much the law doesn’t mandate you to have an insurance policy for your motorcycle in Florida, as a rider, you need some kind of financial protection to help you cover against various risks associated with owning and operating a motorcycle including if your motorcycle is damaged or stolen, and in case of a crash.
Third-party motorcycle insurance covers damages and injuries that you cause to other people and their property in an accident where you are at fault. This includes bodily injury liability, which pays for medical expenses and compensation for pain and suffering of injured parties, and property damage liability, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property such as vehicles and structures.
The cost of motorcycle insurance in Florida varies depending on the type of motorcycle, rider’s age and experience, location, driving record, and chosen coverage limits and deductibles. However, the average cost of motorcycle insurance in Florida is $54 per month for a full coverage policy.
