Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Other Riders?

The question of whether or not other riders are covered by your motorcycle insurance while on your bike is a tricky one and depends a great deal on the specifics of your policy. Since all insurance companies are different and each motorcycle policy may have some unique provisions, the bottom line advice is to consult with your insurance agent before you take on the responsibility of having someone at your back as a passenger on your bike or before you allow someone else to ride your motorcycle on the road.

Lending Out Your Bike

Letting someone borrow your bike, even just for a quick trip around the block, may pose some risks of which you should be aware. Like car insurance, which typically follows the car for which the policy was written, motorcycle insurance may very well follow the bike, but not necessarily.

First of all, make sure that the person to whom you've lent your bike is licensed to operate a motorcycle here in North Carolina. If someone borrows your bike and has an accident where they damage someone's property or cause someone injury and they're driving illegally, there's a very good chance your insurance company won't allow a claim.

If they are properly licensed to operate a motorcycle and are found to have caused the accident, your motorcycle liability coverage may help pay for damages and/or injuries for all parties involved. Again, specifics depend on your policy and you should learn what's covered ahead of time, before you lend out your bike.

Coverage For Passengers

If you plan on having passengers on your motorcycle it might be a good idea to look into what's called passenger liability coverage. Many insurance companies offer this type of motorcycle insurance. Other companies may automatically cover injuries caused to your passenger under the liability provisions of your motorcycle insurance policy.

If you're involved in an accident that's deemed to be the fault of someone else, injuries to you and your passenger plus damage to your vehicle should be covered by the at-fault driver's liability coverage. If that person is either uninsured or under-insured, however, you'll could be totally out of luck. To cover for this potential scenario, you should consider obtaining uninsured/under-insured motorist's coverage. Consult with your insurance agent to explore all that's available to make sure you, your passengers and your motorcycle are protected to the degree with which you're comfortable.

Some insurance company discounts are automatic, while many you won't know about unless you ask. Raising your deductible or buying a car with anti-theft technology will likely get you an automatic discount, but how about a student getting good grades?

Greensboro Motorcycle Insurance: What to Do After an Accident

When you ride a motorcycle it's important to be especially alert to road risks particular to motorcyclists. Because of the relatively small size of your vehicle, it's sometimes easy for others on the road to disregard or be totally unaware of your presence, leaving you vulnerable to becoming subject to an accident.

If you do become victim to an accidental mishap, even one that might seem relatively minor to someone driving an automobile, it can cause serious injury when your only protection is a helmet and a bit of protective clothing. You should make sure before setting out on any motorcycle ride that you're wearing the recommended protective gear, that your motorcycle insurance is currently in force, that you're in possession of your proof of insurance card and that your bike is in good running condition. If you do become involved in an accident, there are also certain after-accident procedures of which you should be aware and that you should follow. These include the following.

After-Accident Do's and Don't's

What you do and say after being involved in a vehicle accident can seriously impact how the event will affect you. What you do and say should be guided by what will be in your best interests in the determination of liability and future claims. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1.     The first consideration immediately after an accident is the safety of yourself and the others involved. If you're able to move without causing harm, remove yourself from the roadway and away from any risks such as oncoming traffic, vehicles leaking fuel or burning vehicles/structures. Don't leave the scene.

2.     Remain calm. If you suspect any injuries have someone call 9-1-1. Few motorcycle accidents don't involve some type of injury so you should definitely get checked out by qualified medical personnel.

3.     If 9-1-1 is notified, police will also respond. Otherwise, local police should be called.

4.     Don't make any statements, assign any blame or apologize for your involvement. Don't argue with other parties about cause or fault of the accident. Call your motorcycle insurance company as soon as possible.

5.     Exchange information with others involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, license and plate info and insurance information. Also obtain names and phone numbers of any available witnesses. Take pictures if possible.

Motorcycle Insurance for Young Drivers: Getting a Cheaper Policy

As a young motorcycle rider in North Carolina you're probably already aware that the cost of buying a motorcycle insurance policy isn't cheap but that it's absolutely required that you carry at least the state minimum of coverage if you're to legally operate your bike on public roads. The alternative, riding your motorcycle without the required amount of insurance, can potentially bring you fines, loss of your registration and even jail time.

North Carolina Minimum Insurance Requirements

Whether you're insuring a car or a motorcycle in North Carolina, the state mandates that you carry a minimum of liability insurance which is meant to cover other drivers and/or property owners that suffer a loss in an accident at which you're found to be at fault. In this state, the minimum liability coverage is:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 for all person's bodily injuries (per accident)
• $25,000 property damage

While these minimums are actually higher than those required in some other states, they're still woefully low when you consider the actual costs involved in paying medical bills and replacing damaged or destroyed property caused as the result of a vehicle accident. Plus, this liability coverage only protects dollar losses of “the other guy” in an accident you cause, and will pay nothing toward your own losses, whether you suffer injuries that require medical treatment or bike damage that requires repair or replacement.

You Need More Than Minimum Coverage

That fact is, if anyone needs full insurance coverage it's the individual riding on two wheels in a world of four-wheeled vehicles. Other drivers are often oblivious to your existence on the road, number one, and when an accident occurs (even one that may seem minor when it's car vs. car), you have little in the way of protection on a bike other than your protective clothing and helmet.

Cheap Isn't Always The Best Deal

While the cheapest motorcycle insurance you can purchase is the minimum amount of liability coverage required by law, you should seriously consider adding comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Of course, these will all add to the expense of your policy, so make sure to ask your agent about any discounts you may qualify to receive, such as a good student discount or one for attending a driver's education course. As always, getting multiple quotes will help you find the best deal.