How Does Motorcycle Insurance Work?
Carrying the proper insurance on any vehicle provides motorists with protection in the event of an accident. This is especially important for motorcycle riders, who have an even higher chance of being involved in a crash and of suffering severe injuries. However, motorcycle insurance can be complicated, leaving many to wonder how it works or what advantages it provides after a crash. We’ve included some information below, but if you still have questions about your coverage, feel free to contact our legal team to learn more.
Florida Law Doesn’t Require Motorcycle Insurance
Under Florida law, drivers of vehicles with four wheels must carry insurance, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance before they can register their vehicles. Generally, this requirement doesn’t apply to motorcycle riders, who don’t have to carry insurance, unless they intend to ride without a helmet. In these cases, a rider must carry at least $10,000 in medical protection coverage, usually in the form of health insurance. However, just because Florida law doesn’t require liability insurance for motorcycle riders does not mean that they shouldn’t carry it. While some riders may choose to forego this type of insurance, its lack can be extremely detrimental in the event of a crash.
Motorcycle Insurance Options
Although not always required to carry it, motorcyclists do have options when it comes to insurance, including:
- Liability insurance, which provides protection when the rider causes an accident, kicking in after a collision to cover repairs to a damaged vehicle and the cost of injuries;
- Collision insurance, which covers damages to the rider’s own motorcycle, as well as the other driver’s vehicle in cases where the rider caused the accident, or where the collision was the result of factors outside of the parties’ control;
- Comprehensive insurance, which provides coverage similar to that offered by collision policies, but also applies in situations where a motorcycle sustains non-accident-related damage; and
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which provides coverage in the event that a rider is injured in a collision with a driver who doesn’t carry insurance, or whose policies aren’t adequate to provide the necessary protection.
Having this type of coverage in place can make all the difference to an injured motorcycle rider’s ability to recover compensation for injuries and property damage following an accident.
Filing an Insurance Claim
How a motorcycle rider goes about filing an insurance claim after an accident will vary depending on the type of insurance. Some claims, for instance, will need to be filed directly with the rider’s own insurer, while other claims should be filed with the other driver’s insurance company. In some cases, a rider’s insurer will actually seek compensation directly from the other driver’s insurer. To learn more about coverage under your own policies, or to speak with an attorney about attempting to file a claim with an insurer, reach out to our legal team today.
Accessible, Caring Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
To speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorney about your recovery options following a crash, call Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 today.
Sources:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/motorcycle-rider-education-endorsements/helmet-exemption/
