Why Can’t I Find Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
Current gas prices are on the rise and the economy is coming to a halt so more people are riding motorcycles than ever before. The biker type has certainly changed. Grandpa probably has one in his garage.
Finding insurance is the toughest issue for many new motorcycle owners. Trying to find motorcycle insurance is harder than you might think. For someone who has just purchased their first motorcycle they may have been told by their car insurance company that they are unable to provide coverage for the bike. If you are contemplating purchasing a motorcycle you might be shocked to learn that some insurance companies are unwilling to provide motorcycle insurance.
It may bother you that your current insurance company has refused to supply you with coverage. You may be a perfectly safe driver who has never allowed their policy to lapse. So why would they turn you down? Most of us know that combining insurance policies is a great way to save money. The fact remains that you may have to start using a new insurance company to get your motorcycle coverage. If you are stuck n your current policy or maybe just renewed it you may have to deal with having two different companies insuring you.
Insurance companies have their reasons., The real reason is not really about you or your record. The most common reason insurance companies do not provide motorcycle coverage is because of other drivers not the motorcyclist. Many people do not notice bikers on the road and this presents a risk for more accidents even if the rider is not at fault. This is one of the largest reasons for motorcycle accidents.
Even small mishaps run the risk of incurring more serious injuries to a motorcyclist. A fender bender while driving a car or truck will usually result in only a small claim for repairs to the vehicle and rarely creates a claim for serious injury.
If the rider is thrown off the bike during an accident they are poorly protected against the hard pavement. This is why claims for serious injuries for motorcyclists are more likely. Insurance companies have to consider helmet laws as they vary from state to state. Many states will require newer bikers to wear a helmet and there are still some states that have no helmet laws in effect at all. The rider could be riding the bike and have an accident while not wearing a helmet this is reason enough for most insurance companies to refuse coverage.
When you start shopping for motorcycle insurance you might find that many companies do not offer it. There are companies that will insure your motorcycle though, you may pay more than you expected the prices are still affordable. Insurance companies are here to protect us but they also need to make money and with motorcycles they see it as a bad risk because of the lack of protection the bike offers for the rider.
Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Motorcycle Insurance Policies.