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Check Your Motorcycle Insurance Before You Ride

By October 23, 2019October 6th, 2020Insurance

MotorcycleIt’s that the most perfect time of the year. The weather is a bit a crisp and it’s the perfect time to take a bike ride through the changing fall leaves.

Before you go on that Talimena Drive, make sure that your Oklahoma motorbike insurance can keep up.

There’s many different types of motorcycle insurance so make sure you have the types that are most important to you.

1. Physical Damage coverage…AKA Comprehensive/Collision Coverage

Physical damage coverage is probably something you want. It keeps you and your motorbike covered if there is an accident or incident that is your fault.

Collision coverage will pay for damage to your bike, minus a deductible, if you are to collide with something. Comprehensive covers it for any covered loss besides collision, like theft, fire and hail. Both types will pay out for damages to your bike even if the accident was your fault.

Typically. there is a deductible that is involved ranging anywhere from 100-$1,000+.

Will it cover my medical expenses?

Physical damage won’t cover your medical expenses if an accident occurs that injures you. But, there are some coverages that will.

Uninsured/Underinsured coverage can pay for medical bills if you or a rider are injured while riding if the person driving doesn’t have enough coverage or even, no coverage.

Medical Payments also known as Med Pay can always help with some of the medical expense. Typically this is a small amount ranging from $5,000-$15,000 that can help take some of the burden.

2. Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is an absolute if you’re going to drive a motorcycle. Accidents happen. Liability coverage helps put the other person back together if you cause an accident. It helps pay for bodily injury like medical bills, chiropractors, and physical therapy. It can also pay for property damage if you damage a third party’s vehicle or property. It can even pay for loss of wages.

Liability coverage also can protect you as an insured if you were to be sued for an accident. It would provide defense which can be a very expensive and lengthy process.

Does it cover damage to my own bike?

No. Liability coverage is only for a third party. What this typically means is the person or persons that were involved in an accident that you were responsible for are the only ones eligible to receive this coverage.

3. How Are You Riding the Bike?

No, I don’t mean are you Evil Knieveling it over the fountains.

Depending on what you’re using the bike for can have an effect on the rate. Are you using it for personal and business? Commute only? Only for weekend romps? Let your agent know when writing your policy so that they can rate you accordingly. A person that drives the bike a few times a month as opposed to everyday use will typically pay a little less. Less driving = less exposure for the insurance company.

4. Pillion Cover

Riding pillion is just a fancy way to say you’re a passenger riding on the back of a bike, so if you are the bike owner and you intend to take passengers with you, pillion coverage may be necessary, depending on the insurance company.

Won’t my insurance policy already cover any passengers?

It depends on the company. Some companies automatically include coverage to protect your passengers while others do not. It’s important to check with your insurer and not to assume.

5. Personal Accident Cover

Personal Accident Coverage or Personal Injury Protection is an additional coverage when it comes to insurance which means it comes at an additional cost. This is something that is not offered in every state.

It provides financial assistance if you or any passengers you are carrying are seriously injured.

It will also pay out for your family if you suffer a fatal accident while riding the bike you have insured, even if the incident is your fault.

Generally, as standard, Personal Accident Cover covers you for death, permanent and total disablement and loss of limbs.

Some policies will also cover you for partial disablement and temporary partial or temporary full disablement.

Are there any instances where I will not be covered?

Yes. Examples of instances where you would not be paid out include:

  • If you deliberately or dangerously put yourself in danger.
  • If your injuries are self-inflicted.
  • If injuries are sustained while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • If injuries are sustained while committing or attempting to commit a crime.D
  • Different policies have different conditions, so it’s always worth checking what these are before agreeing to the cover.

How much does the cover pay out?

An example of Personal Accident Cover benefits are shown below:

  • Accidental death – $100,000
  • Loss of use of two limbs – $100,000
  • Loss of sight of both eyes – $100,000
  • Loss of use of one limb – $50,000
  • Loss of sight in one eye – $50,000
  • Loss of hearing/ Loss of speech – $50,000

Remember that these examples are standard and the amounts will vary from insurer to insurer. Always check with your insurer to see what is covered and how much you are covered for.

Does it cover me for loss of earnings?

Personal Accident Cover provides a one-off fee in the event of one of the above incidents. It does not provide any continuous pay out for loss of earnings.

6. Helmet and Leathers Cover

Helmet and Leathers cover is something you can add to your insurance for an additional fee. It will provide financial assistance if your riding gear is damaged in an accident.

Questions about your Oklahoma motorcycle insurance? Call, email, or text us for a quote at 405-373-2977.