Jessica Fox Last Updated On: August 20, 2024

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Motorcycle Insurance Coverage for Accidents

Motorcycle Insurance Coverage for Accidents

When it comes to owning a motorcycle, it’s easy to look at the bright side (the sun at your back, the wind on your face) but there’s a risk to riding too: what happens if you cause an accident? If you’re at fault, you want to have sufficient insurance coverage so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for damages. 

Motorcycle insurance helps to protect you from life’s “what ifs”. Let’s go over some of the features of motorcycle insurance coverage for accidents.

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Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Options

With the rising cost of living, it may be enticing to save a quick buck by taking out only enough insurance to satisfy state minimums. Typically, this means just liability coverage. However, since driving a motorcycle can be risky, you may want more than just liability coverage. Here are some motorcycle insurance coverage options for at-fault accidents for you to consider:
  • Bodily Injury Liability: If you injure the other driver or their passenger, this coverage will help cover the cost of their medical treatment, psychological or physical treatment, or time off work (lost wages). Most states consider bodily injury liability part of state minimum coverage, making it a requirement.
  • Property Damage Liability: When you get into an at-fault accident, property damage liability protects you from paying for the other driver’s repairs to their vehicle, home, or on-site structure (e.g., shed). Property damage liability is part of state minimum coverage.
  • Collision: This coverage will help pay for your bike’s repairs or replacement if someone hits you.
  • Medical Payments (MedPay): Similar to bodily injury liability, this coverage pays for you and your passenger’s medical treatment (hospital care, ambulance fees, dental, x-rays, etc.) if you’re in an accident.
  • Personal Injury Protection: If you’re injured while riding your motorcycle, this coverage will pay for funeral expenses, lost wages, or certain services like childcare.
  • Custom Parts Coverage: If your bike has a lot of accessories, like fairings or a primo saddlebag, this coverage option will pay to replace these parts if they’re damaged. However, custom parts coverage limits how much it will pay out, so be sure to check with your provider what the maximum payout amount is.
  • Towing and Labor Coverage: This coverage option will pay to tow your motorcycle to the repair shop, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
It’s not fun to think about motorcycle insurance coverage for when you’re at fault in an accident, but having it can help you avoid financially debilitating bills should something happen.  Make it easy on yourself by getting quick access to free quotes here, so you can spend more time thinking about your next bike trip and less about insurance coverage. 

Comprehensive Insurance for Your Motorcycle

Although the above list of motorcycle insurance coverage options is extensive—and costly—there is a way to “have it all” and not break the bank: comprehensive or full-coverage motorcycle insurance.  Comprehensive motorcycle insurance comes with the following coverage:
  • Collision: This motorcycle insurance coverage will help cover the cost of repairs to your bike should someone hit you.
  • Comprehensive: This motorcycle insurance coverage protects you from paying out-of-pocket for unforeseen damages to your bike, like a tree falling on it or theft.
  • State Required Minimums: Full coverage comes with your state minimum coverage requirements, such as:
    • Bodily Injury Liability
    • Property Damage Liability
    • Personal Injury Protection
    • Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Having comprehensive coverage can help give you comfort when riding, knowing that you’re covered. 

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Motorcycle Insurance State Requirements

We talk a lot about state minimums, so here are some state requirements worth mentioning as you consider which motorcycle insurance coverage option best suits your needs.
  • Almost every state requires proof of motorcycle insurance coverage to get your ride registered, i.e., to get a license plate.
  • Florida is the only state that does not require minimum insurance for your motorcycle. However, it is recommended that every driver carries at least liability as it will protect you from paying out of pocket for the other driver’s expenses (medical and damages) if you cause an accident.
  • State minimums are expressed numerically, such as 25/50/25. This means $25,000 for bodily injury protection, $50,000 total payout per accident, and $25,000 for property damage coverage.
    • On average, state minimums are 25/50/10.
Knowing what your state minimums are will help ensure you’re following the law, but you can easily up the coverage to better protect yourself. After all, having motorcycle insurance coverage for when you’re at fault in accidents can help give you unparalleled peace of mind.

Motorcycle Insurance Liability Coverage

Since motorcycle insurance coverage for accidents that you cause, or liability coverage, is mandatory in all states (except Florida), you may want to take the time to consider which coverage option to purchase before you license your bike. 

In addition, if you have at least liability insurance and accidentally cause an accident, you won’t have to pay for the other driver’s medical or property damages. Take the time to find and buy the right at-fault motorcycle insurance policy so you can put the joy back in joyride every time you hit the road. Need help getting started? ConsumerCoverage has you covered: click here for access to free quotes. It’s that easy! 

Jessica Fox Jessica Fox has been a freelance writer for five years, with a specialty in health, wellness, and insurance. During this time, she’s written for some of the biggest B2B and B2C brands from around the world. Jessica is also the mother of two young daughters and loves coffee, writing, and working out.

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