In order to enjoy the beautiful scenic rides that Utah has to offer, you must make sure that you have taken the necessary steps to register your motorcycle and to obtain proper insurance coverage. The following are common questions asked (and ones you must be sure to ask yourself) before hopping on the hog.
1.) Is my motorcycle covered under my car insurance plan?
It is common to believe that motorcycles are covered under your regular car insurance plan. This, however, is an incorrect assumption, as car insurance policies never automatically cover motorcycles. Be sure not to confuse having to register your motorcycle legally with obtaining the insurance that you will also need to pay to ride your bike. In order to legally ride, you will also need insurance that properly covers your motorcycle. Insurance companies offer a wide range of coverage plans based on your bike, lifestyle, and price range.
2.) Can I add motorcycle insurance to my car insurance plan?
Typically, the answer to this question is “No.” You can, however, add motorcycle coverage onto an already existing car insurance policy if the auto insurance company: 1.) insures motorcycles; and 2.) offers endorsements that will allow for additional motorcycle coverage. What is an endorsement? Simply put, endorsements are mini-policies that are added to an existing policy to change that policy in some way.
3.) What is the cost difference between car and motorcycle insurance?
They are comparable. Insurance companies use pretty much the same calculations when they calculate both car and motorcycle insurance policies. For example, as with car insurance, if you are under 25 and have a significant accident history, you will probably be facing steeper premium costs. Many insurance companies consider motorcycle riding a higher risk than driving a car. This obviously will affect the price of the insurance, and it may also mean that certain drivers will not even be permitted to obtain insurance. Insurance will also differ depending on the make and model of your motorcycle, who will be riding the bike, where you live, the type of coverage, etc. The more modest the bike, the cheaper the premiums. Premium costs can be as low as a hundred dollars or can reach into the thousands of dollars.
4.) How do I obtain motorcycle insurance?
Most insurance companies that offer auto insurance also offer motorcycle insurance. Therefore, as a general rule, adding an insurance policy for your motorcycle should be relatively easy. Either talk to the same insurance provide who insures your car, or you can compare quotes from other companies. Websites like CarComparison can help you as you shop around for motorcycle insurance rates or compare motorcycle and auto insurance plans.
5.) What motorcycle coverage is required under law?
Legal requirements regarding motorcycle insurance change from state to state. While insurance companies offer dozens of insurance packages ranging from medical costs to towing and labor bills, the legal specifications do not typically require overly-extensive protection. Utah law only requires that you obtain motorcycle liability insurance. That means you are paying for insurance that will cover potential damage or bodily harm to another person or third party property. Your liability coverage must meet or exceed the following:
- For Injuries to a Single Person: $25,000
- For Injuries to All Individuals: $65,000
- For Property Damages: $15,000
Photo courtesy of: Colin Kinner