Know your Coverage Before you Ride
Those who know, know. That feeling you get when you’re on two wheels. It’s that feeling of the wind in your face, the open road, and the freedom that comes from being on a motorcycle.
If you keep up with the stats, you also know that there are a whole lot more accidents when you’re on a bike. Motorists just seem to ignore the fact that when the weather is nice, motorcycles are on the road. Instead of looking three times to save a life, those habits of complacency fall into place.
Insurance is required for all motorists in Texas. That includes those on a motorcycle. But is your coverage enough? Here are a few points you should talk over with your provider, to make sure all of your bases are covered.
Don’t Go with the Minimum Insurance Amount
Texas requires you to maintain insurance coverage of 30/60/25. That means you’re covered up to $30,000 for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per wreck, and up to $25,000 for property damage.
But consider the last time you went to the doctor and got out of there without being charged a thousand bucks, or more. If your wreck hurts someone, and they end up in the hospital for an extended period of time, that bill is going to quickly exceed those minimums.
When purchasing your motorcycle insurance, opt for more than the minimums; it usually won’t cost much more to be protected.
Understand Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
UI/UIM coverage protects you in case you’re the victim and the other party doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance.
You know that idea about being injured and in the hospital for an extended period of time? If the other driver has the minimum coverage, your bills might exceed the limits on their policy. If they don’t have any assets, you’re stuck footing that bill.
UI/UIM coverage will kick in to pay those bills if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident.
Ask about Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
Suppose you’re hit by an uninsured driver, and your motorcycle is destroyed. Your UI/UIM will cover your medical bills and replace your damaged property, right?
In many cases, it will not.
Some insurance companies lump property damage into their UI/UIM coverage, but many do not. They have an entirely separate policy for this. If you want to make sure that your body and your property are protected in the event of a motorcycle wreck, talk to your insurance agent about uninsured motorist property damage protection.
The Difference between Collision and Liability Insurance
Many people just know if they have full coverage or liability only. But do you know the difference and what they mean?
Full coverage is broken into three parts: collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and liability coverage. Each one protects you and your property in a different way.
Collision coverage is designed to reimburse you for your losses if you hit another vehicle or object. Just think of it as if you are driving, and you collide with someone or something, your collision coverage protects you from substantial financial loss.
Comprehensive coverage protects you from things outside of your control: vandalism, hail damage, flooding, animals, and more. If you can’t comprehend why this would happen to you, comprehensive should cover it.
Liability insurance protects you from being sued by the other party. If you are the at-fault motorist, and you damage someone else’s vehicle or hurt them, you shift the liability from yourself to your insurance company.
If it’s clear as mud, your insurance agent should be able to explain the differences even better.
Find the Discounts before Applying
Before you hop on your motorcycle, check into what sort of discounts your insurance company provides. Some will offer a homeowner’s discount, a safe rider discount (especially if you have taken a riding class; something that studies show prevents wrecks), claims free discounts, and more.
Every company is different with what they offer, but find out what you could be eligible for; taking a class could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.
Talk with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Herbert Law Group
If you’re just enjoying a nice ride, and someone else hits you, their insurance company is probably not going to play nice.
Being hit on a motorcycle almost always results in injury. Filing a claim against the offending party’s insurance will bring on stress while you’re trying to heal from those injuries.
Leave that stress to the motorcycle accident attorneys at Herbert Law Group. We’ll negotiate the settlement so that you receive the compensation you need to fully heal.
It all starts with a phone call to see how we can help. You can call us at 214-414-3808, or if you fill out our contact form, we’ll get in touch with you. Remember, it’s a free conversation to see if we’re a good fit.