The Most Important Gear to Protect You on Your Motorcycle

If you own a motorcycle, one of the best parts about a nice day is going for a long ride. Whether it be by yourself or in a group, there is something about the wind in your face and its just you and the open road. But just you and the open road is exactly the reason why you have to take precautions to make sure you safe at the same time. Its also a reason why getting the right coverage can be more protection for you than your helmet and gear.

Its around this time, we get a lot of calls for motorcycle coverage. The customer calls us looking for coverage…cheap coverage. Cheap however, isn’t always saving you in the long run.

Did you know that in New York State Personal Injury Coverage doesn’t cover you on your motorcycle?
I know what you are thinking… “What? Wait a minute I see Personal Injury coverage on the quote you gave me.” Yes, there is PIP coverage for motorcycles which is required by New York State but it only applies to injured pedestrians. Not to you. Not to your passengers.

Your reply: “Ok. Well I have health insurance, so I don’t need that PIP coverage anyways." Wrong again. Unfortunately, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident where you are driving the motorcycle, your health insurance will not pick up the tab either.

Finally your reply: “Ok. Is there ANYTHING that will cover me if I wipe out on my bike?”
Yes. Actually with many companies, you can purchase voluntary coverage called Medical Payments. While sometimes this may not be as high as the limit on a personal auto policy, many companies offer coverage anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 or higher in medical payments. This is what will cover you if you are injured on your motorcycle.

One last question: “What about my passengers who are on my bike with me?”
Your passenger would be covered under the passenger liability portion on your policy. Some companies include this directly with the Bodily Injury coverage on the liability of your policy. Other companies have this as an option. Make sure your agent includes this if it isn’t already included.

Things to Remember:
Besides protecting yourself with a helmet and the proper gear, make sure you double check your coverages before you head out to hit the open road this summer. Make sure your agent max’s out the coverage for you on your policy on your medical payments. If you are getting a quote and they are quoting you with multiple carriers find out what the maximum coverage each company offers. Be sure you know exactly what you are paying for. If you are unsure of the coverages, ask your agent to explain and review them with you so that you understand them. This is the only coverage to protect you on the open road. Know before you go, it can be just as important as a helmet.

Don’t Get Burned This Summer! Add an insurance review to your check list for this summer.

þ Sunglasses…check!

þ SPF 15…no…30….check!

þ Beach towel…check!

þ Bathing suit…check!

þ Book…check!

þ Extra Liability Insurance…chec…huh? what? Liability for the beach?

No. I didn’t stutter, I said extra liability. I know what you are thinking, “Amy, this is my time to take a vacation, relax, and to not worry about the details.”

But with more people on the road traveling to the beaches whether it be downstate, upstate or any state, you are going to run into more people, both figuratively & literally. Kids are out running around, across your property. You are out at the beach, camping or simply driving to your summer fun getaway, so while liability insurance or the proper coverage probably isn’t on your top priority list, it should be on your list of things to take with you before you go on vacation this summer. With more people comes more change of accidents or something happening. Nobody plans for an accident, that’s why its called one in the first place. But when it happens, the last thing you want to have to worry about is a claim gone wrong or not enough coverage. Not enough coverage is like getting rained out at the beach. Be prepared this summer. Make sure you have enough liability.

You want to be sure that if one of the neighborhood kids trips and gets hurt on you property you have enough liability. You want to be sure that if you were camping and an accident happened that you have enough medical payments or liability insurance to cover you wherever you are. You want to be sure that if you go on vacation, your home is covered properly. You want to be sure that if you got into a car accident, you have enough coverage, even if the other guy doesn’t.

I know you are thinking now, “Amy, I’m leaving in a few days for the beach. I don’t have time to do ALL of this!” That is what your agent is for. Ask them to sit down for an quick review of what you have to be sure you are carrying enough so that you don’t get burned this summer. It can take less than 20 minutes and can be well worth the time.

Not sure if you have enough? Email us for a free checklist to take the quiz. abryan@bryanagency.com

Have a Safe & Happy Summer!