The number of registered motorcycles on American roads has doubled in the last 20 years. If you’ve recently joined the legion of riders enjoying the freedom, high gas mileage, and sheer enjoyment motorcycles offer, then it’s essential that you find the right motorcycle insurance to protect your investment.
Keep reading to learn the top five things you should consider when sorting through the many motorcycle insurance options on the market to find the best policy for your needs.
1. What’s Covered
Almost every state has minimum auto coverage requirements and motorcyclists are not exempt from these rules. Before shopping for a policy, check your state’s statutes and make sure you know what you need to stay on the right side of the law.
From there, take a look at the total value of your bike and what it would cost to make repairs or replace it if it were damaged or stolen. Consider, too, the most common hazards in your geographic area and lifestyle. This information will help you choose a policy that offers the types and amounts of coverage most applicable to your needs.
2. What’s Not Covered
Most insurance policies explicitly exclude certain things. These may be types of hazards, such as hail damage, or specific costs, such as expensive aftermarket parts. Reading insurance terms and conditions carefully before signing on the dotted line can prevent unpleasant surprises after the fact.
3. Layup Options
Many riders shopping insurance for motorcycles live in geographic areas that are not biker-friendly year-round. These motorists know that they will not be able to take their motorcycles out on the road during given times of the year. Instead, their bikes will go into seasonal storage.
This is sometimes referred to as “laying up” a bike.
Insurers often recognize that bikes laid up for a season do not need full insurance protection. As such, they may offer an option whereby owners can reduce coverage and therefore costs for a portion of the year. If you expect your bike to sit dormant part of the year, look for a policy with this option.
4. Competitive Pricing
It’s not wise to choose insurance based on price alone. At the same time, everyone has a budget. At the end of the day, insurance with premiums too high for you to stay on top of won’t do you any good.
When comparing insurance costs, look for a policy with competitive pricing for your age, region, and driving history.
5. Discount Options
Ask any motorcycle insurance provider you are interested in if they offer discounts of any kind. You may be surprised to find that discounts are available for simple choices such as:
- Paying premiums once per year instead of each month
- Bundling a motorcycle policy with another type of policy
- Insuring multiple bikes at once
These discounts can make great insurance more affordable.
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