Owning and riding a motorcycle comes with a number of risks, which will definitely cause you lots of anxiety, especially if you are without proper insurance coverage. Such risks may include theft, vandalism, accidents, bodily injuries, and many more. However, with the right motorcycle insurance, you can enjoy your rides worry-free. And this is what our comprehensive guide will focus on today. We will take you through full coverage motorcycle insurance, what it includes, whether it’s necessary for riders, its benefits, and how much it may costs you.
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- Do you need insurance for a motorcycle in Florida?
- Does your motorcycle insurance policy also cover theft?
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- What type of vehicle insurance is required in Texas?
What is full coverage insurance for a motorcycle?
Full coverage insurance for a motorcycle typically includes a combination of several types of policies to protect the rider and the bike in various situations. Depending on the insurer, some of the policies that you will find in full coverage insurance for your motorcycle include liability, collision coverage, and comprehensive, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, and also Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as explained below:
- Liability Coverage: This policies covers injuries to others or damage to their property while you’re riding. It only pays for expenses related to the third parties involved in the accident and does not cover damage to your own motorcycle.
- Collision Coverage: A policy that covers damage to your motorcycle resulting from an accident or collision. It pays for repair costs whether the collision is with another vehicle, a stationary object, or even a tree.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive policy protects your motorcycle against damages caused by theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and fire, covering the repair costs for these types of incidents.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protects you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance.
- Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in case of an accident.
Do you have to have motorcycle insurance?
In most states, except for Florida, you are required to have this type of insurance to register and ride your motorbike. The state mandates third-party liability coverage, which provides protection for:
- Bodily injury: If you’re involved in an accident while on the road and injure someone, the liability coverage will cover their medical expenses for treatment.
- Property damage: This liability coverage protects you from financial losses resulting from damage to third-party property caused by your insured motorbike.
Although it is a basic requirement in all states, each state generally sets its own minimum coverage limits and benefits. For example, as a motorcyclist in Virginia, you are required to have uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, along with minimum liability coverage of:
- $50,000 in total bodily injury
- $20,000 in property damage
- $25,000 in bodily injury per person
In general, it’s essential for you as a cyclists to buy motorcycle insurance to protect yourself from notable out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident. You can opt for the state-required minimum coverage or choose a full coverage insurance plan for your motorcycle that has a wider coverage scope.
What is comprehensive motorcycle insurance?
Comprehensive motorcycle insurance covers damages to your motorcycle and damages or injuries to any third party involved. This will ensure you have financial protection from the costs that come with making these repairs and meeting medical bills for the injured parties. Additionally, it provides coverage for property damage or any damage your motorcycle causes to other people’s property. So, if your motorbike is a highly valued asset, then you may want to make sure you have fully insured it against all kinds of risks.
In general, with comprehensive motorcycle insurance, you are protected from the repair costs of your motorbike or scooter in case it gets damaged due to factors or reasons that are out of your control, such as:
- Fire Outbreaks
- Vandalism
- Natural disasters like hailstorm
- Theft or malicious activities
- Collision with animals
This coverage is, in most cases, optional, allowing you to choose whether or not to purchase it. It’s best to weigh the various risk factors and potential costs of replacing the bike if it’s stolen or repairing it if it’s damaged by uncontrollable events.
Do dirt bikes also need insurance?
Absolutely! You definitely need insurance for your dirt bike. Given the uncertainties of life, there’s a high likelihood of an accident occurring while you’re riding. When that happens, can you afford the costs of repairing your bike and covering the medical expenses for anyone you might injure? These concerns make purchasing insurance for your dirt bike a wise decision. Here are some coverage benefits: you’ll be protected from the financial costs arising from accidents.
- Bodily injury caused to another person while on the road.
- Property damage resulting from the collision requires you to compensate a third party for damages.
- Damage to your dirt bike is likely, as it will need repairs after the accident.
- Theft or vandalism, such as someone stealing parts or damage caused by a hailstorm, necessitates repairs.
- Your own medical costs due to injuries sustained in the accident or collision.
Given these reasons, we can definitely say that your dirt bike does need insurance coverage.
How much is full coverage insurance for a motorcycle?
Full coverage motorcycle insurance will vary based on the state you live in and your policy provider. For instance, if you’re purchasing full motorcycle insurance with Progressive, expect to pay an average monthly price of $12.29 and $147.42 annually if you live in a low-cost state like Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, or Massachusetts. Those who live in a medium-cost state like North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Utah can expect to pay an average monthly price of $14.38 and $172.53 annually. Lastly, for those in high-cost states such as Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, and New Mexico, you can expect to pay an average monthly price of $17.20 and $206.33 annually.
Averagely, expect to pay anywhere between $12 monthly and $140 for full coverage insurance for your motorcycle. But it’s also important to consider the state you live in, coverage levels, and a number of other factors that we shall look at below:
What factors affect motorcycle insurance costs?
Several factors greatly influence this, beginning with the varying coverage levels offered by different policy providers. The costs will depend on the specific coverage chosen. Additionally, the following factors will impact the cost of full coverage.
- Motorcycles type and value: A number of factors, such as your engine type, the age of your motorcycle, and the model, are taken into consideration when purchasing a premium. For instance, older motorcycles may have lower premiums compared to newer ones.
- Location: This difference arises from the state you live in, as different states typically have varying minimum coverage requirements.
- Rider’s age; In most cases, young riders pay higher premiums compared to older ones, as young riders are considered to have more riding risks associated with them.
- Rider’s experience and history
- Coverage levels
- Insurance policy provider
By carefully understanding your policy coverages and risk factors, and comparing quotes from various companies, you can ensure you get the best value for your money.
Editor’s Remarks
As a motorcycle owner who frequently uses your bike for various activities, it’s essential to consider insurance (whether full coverage or individual policies) for both yourself and your motorbike, given the extensive benefits it offers. As we wrap up our article on what full motorcycle insurance covers, we hope we have answered most of your queries about this policy. Feel free to reach out to our team in case you have any pending questions or if you’d like to know more about other insurance types, such as auto, condo, or homeowners insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Full coverage motorcycle insurance includes protection for collisions, liability coverage for injuries or property damage suffered by third parties in an accident, and comprehensive coverage, which protects your motorbike from theft, fires, natural disasters, and vandalism.
Several insurance providers offer high-quality and affordable motorcycle insurance with a range of coverage options and comprehensive plans. Some of these companies are:
– Geico
– Progressive
– State Farm
– Dairyland,
Comprehensive coverage in motorbike insurance means that if your motorbike is damaged by severe weather like hailstorms, vandalism, fires, or if it’s stolen, this coverage will provide financial support for repairing or replacing your motorbike.
Motorbike insurance offers coverage for:
– Bodily injury for you or any third party involved in a collision.
– Property damage if you accidentally damage someone else’s property while riding
– Damage to your bike resulting from collisions.
– Damage to your motorbike caused by events such as fires and vandalism that are beyond your control
Coverage limitations can differ between insurers, but generally, insurance does not cover damage to your motorbike from regular wear and tear. Insurance is primarily intended to protect your bike from damage resulting from collisions, accidents, or other uncontrollable factors such as vandalism.