You have your driver’s license, and just passed your motorcycle license. Finally! You are more than ready to ride with your buddies. Your uncle gave you his old bike, and fixed it up and restored it. Now it’s time to take it out for a spin.

You never thought much about insurance. In fact, you simply assumed that it’s a motorized vehicle, and therefore covered by your car insurance. Car insurance covers motorized vehicles. Or something… Whatever. It’s motorized so your car insurance should cover it. Right?

No! Wrong! Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your car insurance will cover your motorcycle or, provide liability coverage if you hurt somebody or damage somebody’s property. Your car insurance will absolutely not extend to your motorcycle. Also, it will not apply, if you cause injury or damage while riding your motorcycle.

Your car insurance and your motorcycle are completely separate, and will absolutely not apply for each other.

Don’t make the crucial mistake to assume that your auto policy might protect you. It won’t. Motorcycle insurance will help protect you, your bike, as well as your assets in case you ever find yourself in a liability lawsuit.

Give us a call. We can help.

The most important coverage on your Motorcycle Insurance policy.

Since your buddy Louie lost his leg, you’ve become more apprehensive. On a bike, it’s easy to feel free. Invincible, even. But many car drivers don’t turn to take that extra look. They don’t watch out for anything smaller than their own vehicle. They look for big things.

That’s how Louie got hit. He was swept right out of his lane by a pickup truck, whose driver was too preoccupied texting while passing another car. Luckily, Louie survived. His leg didn’t.

The guy who hit him didn’t have insurance. Fortunately, Louie did. His insurance helped take care of the medical bills, physical therapy, and the months he was without a paycheck.

As you shop for your motorcycle insurance policy, keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to insurance. You want a policy that protects you when you need it. Cheap coverage usually provides you only with low liability limits, and, what’s worse, often the most important coverage completely missing.

We have reviewed countless policies that did not include Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist (UM/ UIM) coverage. Yet, this is probably the single most important part of a motorcycle policy. (UM/UIM is the coverage that paid for Louie in the example above. Without it, he would have gotten nothing.)

Not having UM/UIM coverage can hurt you quite badly. Here’s why:

As a biker, your risk of being at-fault in an accident is comparatively low. But, your risk of getting hit is relatively high. That’s where your UM/UIM coverage applies.

Your UM/UIM coverage kicks in if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have the insurance or resources to pay for your injuries, medical payments, loss of wages, and damage to your bike. If the person who hit you doesn’t have the money to pay for the damages they caused you, your own insurance will protect you. But only if you have the right insurance. This is what your UM/UIM coverage does for you.

To sum it all up: You want Motorcycle Insurance so you can protect yourself! Whether that is a liability lawsuit, or an irresponsible driver who hit you. Because a driver who isn’t responsible enough to look for motorcycles on the road might not be responsible enough to carry adequate insurance limits.

Give us a call today 423-292-4142. We can help you find a motorcycle policy that provides you with the protection you need, while giving you the best value for your dollar.

How can I get a discount on my motorcycle policy?

You’ve heard that one can get money-saving discounts on auto insurance. That makes you wonder… Shouldn’t you be able to get a discount on your motorcycle policy, as well?

Yes you should! And you can! Depending on the company, a variety of discounts are available:

Claims-Free Discount: If you didn’t have any claims or accidents during the previous policy period, you qualify for this discount when your policy renews.
Homeowner Discount: If you own your home, you qualify for this discount. Why? Because insurance companies assume that if you own a home, you are a responsible person. Responsible people are responsible drivers (or riders) and deserve a discount.
Multi-Policy Discount: If you have more than one policy with one company, you may qualify for a multi-policy discount.
Safe Driver Discount: If you’ve been cruising without accidents or violations for 3 years, you qualify for this discount.
LoJack Discount: You can save on your motorcycle policy if your bike is equipped with the LoJack tracking system.
Safety Course Discount: Completing a Safety Course can save your life. And offer you a discount on your motorcycle policy. Sign up for a class today. (To keep the insurance discount active, you have to complete a safety course every three years.)
Some companies might give you a discount if you store your bike in a garage or out of sight, or if you use chains or other Anti-Theft devices to lock it down.

Keep in mind that your insurance rates depend on your bike’s type and brand, its engine size, the level of customization, and the miles driven. A customized street race machine that you use to commute to work will bring you much higher insurance bills than a vintage cruiser that you only use every now and then. As you search for your perfect bike, keep these factors in mind to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call for more information, even before you purchase your bike.

What about insurance for mopeds, scooters or ATV’s?

Now that you’ve found the bike of your dreams, you got your wife hooked: She’d like to do her smaller, around-the-town errands on a little scooter, rather than in the car. Not only does it save gas, but it also gives her this lifestyle feeling as if she were living in a small town in Italy.

Well, you can’t blame her. You knew all along what riding on two wheels can do for your soul. Question is, how do you insure the little scooter? Does it qualify as a motorcycle at all?

Yes it does! Mopeds and scooters (electric and gasoline-powered) can be insured on a Motorcycle policy. All the same discounts and options apply for big bikes as well as smaller mopeds and scooters.

We can help with it. Just give us a call 423-292-4142.