MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE COVERAGES
Rather you’re a road warrior seeking adventure or looking for a way to get around town, there is nothing quite like driving a motorcycle. In Texas, we have miles of open roads with some of the highest speed limits in America. Texas is also known for its Urban and highway congestion. That is why it is important to remember that wherever you go, you want to be financially protected in case of an accident.
Texas Law
In Texas, motorcyclists are required to carry motorcycle insurance. This insurance is different from auto insurance. Your insurance coverage will reflect the safety feature of your bike, costs of repair and its value. In Texas, bikers must carry liability insurance. This coverage insures against any damage you might cause others if an accident is your fault. Your policy will help cover payments to the harmed party. Motorcyclists must carry the following minimum liability coverages:
- $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $60,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage
While this coverage meets Texas insurance requirements, we recommend that bikers carry extra liability coverage. This is for your security. Minimum liability limits might not be enough to pay your legal costs and claims if you’re sued. It should be noted that creditors can go after your assets for damage recovery if your insurance doesn’t fully cover the damages. Also, check with your insurance company to be sure your bodily injury liability insurance covers passengers. The more coverage you have, the better your chances of paying a third-party claim with your insurance, rather than with personal funds.
Click here to learn about Motorcycle Accident statistics.
Motorcycle Financing Insurance Coverage
If you are financing your vehicle, you are usually required to purchase collision and comprehensive coverages. Collision coverage will repair your bike in the event of an accident. Comprehensive will pay for damages caused by other events, such as fire, floods or theft. If your bike has custom features, you should increase your coverage. This helps you have the money to replace the parts if needed.
Insurance Coverage Options
Coverage options for motorcycle insurance are similar to the standard ones you’ll find for auto insurance. Below are the insurance options you should consider.
- Collision: Pays for damage to your motorcycle in the event of an accident. This coverage pays the damage minus your deductible amount. A deductible is an amount you select when you buy your policy that’s deducted from a claim check. In other words, a deductible is an amount you must pay.
- Comprehensive or Non-Collision: Pays out if your motorcycle is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision with another vehicle. This coverage will include floods and animal collisions. A deductible applies.
- Custom parts, equipment, and accessories Coverage: For many bikers customizing a bike is part of the lure of owning a motorcycle. To cover the customizations, you add to your bike you can buy additional accessories coverage. This typically covers up to $30,000.
- Medical payments (MedPay): Medical payments coverage pays for medical bills if you and your passenger are in an accident. Unlike Personal Injury Protection, Medical Payments coverage doesn’t cover lost wages and other costs. Let’s be upfront here, if you are driving a motorcycle, no matter how careful you are, accidents happen. This insurance can help cover your medical bills. Especially if you don’t carry enough health insurance. Also, if you carry passengers, this will help protect them too.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP coverage is a component of insurance coverage that covers medical expenses regardless of who is at fault. Often this includes lost wages, as well as substitute services and funeral expenses.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Pays out for lodging, transportation, and food if your bike is disabled in a collision far from home. This policy usually is active if you are 100 miles or more from home.
- Transport trailer coverage: Many insurance companies offer coverage for trailers valued at up to $7,500.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Protection: This coverage protects you in the event someone else’s liability insurance cannot. For example, if another person doesn’t have liability insurance or enough to cover damages you may have incurred in an accident (that you are not at fault), you can turn to your policy for help.
- Roadside assistance: Includes towing and labor at the site of your bike’s breakdown.
Insurance Lay-up Periods
Many insurers offer lay-up insurance during winter. This is a time of the year when many bikers put their motorcycles away. During the lay-up period, insurance still covers you against theft and other events that can happen while your bike is in storage. It does not cover events that occur outside of storage. This coverage saves on your annual insurance costs. Remember that if you take the bike out on the road during the lay-up period, insurance won’t cover you in an accident.
Motorcycle insurance discounts
Discounts vary by the insurance company. Some discounts that you may be entitled to are as follows
- Buying another type of policy, such as auto or homeowners insurance, from the same insurer.
- Maintaining a clean driving record.
- Insuring more than one motorcycle with the same insurance company.
- Completing a motorcycle rider training course.
- Belonging to a motorcycle riders organization.
- Asking about a mature rider discount if you’re over 55 or a longtime rider.
CONTACT A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
Have you or a loved one been involved in a motorcycle accident? Perhaps you just bought your first bike and want to learn more about your options. Walker Texas Lawyer can help you with your motorcycle insurance questions.
If you have any legal questions give Personal Injury Lawyer, Walker Texas Lawyer a call. He is Houston’s Motorcycle Accident Attorney. Call us today at: 713- 552-1117 or a click here for a free case review.
