Many motorcycle drivers also drive cars, but that doesn’t mean their auto insurance covers their bike. Car and motorcycle insurance have many of the same essential purposes but also have significant differences. Below, with the help of Upside Insurance, a provider of motorcycle insurance in Greenville, SC, we’ll explain how these coverages differ.
Motorcycle Insurance is Expensive
When shopping for a vehicle, many car buyers inquire about insurance before making a final choice. Things to consider are safety, size, and liability. The same concept applies to motorcycles. Motorcycles usually cost less than cars but can be more expensive to insure. The reason insurance is more is because there is more risk of injury to the rider or damage to the motorcycle.
No-Fault
Most car insurance policies include “no-fault” coverage. No fault coverage means that no matter who caused the accident, insurance coverage is provided. However, motorcyclists are almost always excluded from the average motorcycle insurance plan.
The reason no-fault policies aren’t readily available for motorcycle riders is that the risk of accidents is higher with a motorcycle versus a traditional automobile. However, drivers can look into add-on coverage that may provide more financial protection.
Personal Injury Protection
Motorcycles have two wheels and no seat belts, which means there is very little protection from other cars. Car drivers have four wheels, airbags, seat belts, and other safety features. Most motorcycle drivers are thrown from their bikes when a collision occurs, which significantly increases the risk of injury or death.
Because the risk of injury and death is higher when driving a motorcycle, most insurance companies don’t offer the same financial protection to motorcycle drivers that they do car drivers. Some insurance companies will make personal injury protection (PIP) add-on available at an additional charge. Other motorcycle insurance add-ons can also include:
- Roadside Assistance
- Trailer Transport
- Custom Accessory Coverage
- Passenger Coverage
Motorcycles are designed for one person. Cars, on the other hand, have multiple seats for its driver and passengers. A driver’s car insurance almost always covers passengers, but motorcycle passengers are not. However, if an insured motorcyclist opts for guest passenger liability, their passenger may be covered by their insurance.
Laid Up Insurance
Unlike your family minivan, you probably aren’t riding your motorcycle 12 months a year. Insurance companies know this and usually offer a discounted lay-up policy for the months the bike is being stored and not driven. In general, the same is not provided to regular vehicles.
Add-On Coverage Specific to Motorcycle Drivers
Motorcyclists often customize their bikes and their gear to make long rides in hot deserts more enjoyable. Saddlebags, chrome pipes, extended brake pedals, and even wider seats can all be covered through motorcycle insurance through add-on coverage. Car insurance policies usually only include the vehicle and its necessary components.
Now you understand the fundamental differences between motorcycle coverage and auto insurance. If you drive both a car and a bike, you’ll need to have both, but you should never confuse one for the other.