Welcome to Motorcycles Guide
Motorcycle Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Motorcycle Insurance
from: JG MashinoChoosing the right insurance policy is much like choosing the right motorcycle. You want it to fit your needs and lifestyle, but at the same time be within your budget. Although most states require you to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, other types of coverage are usually optional. Always ask your insurance agent or company representative which laws apply in your state.
In order to find out what coverage is best for you, it is important to understand all the options available.
Liability coverage
Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that you may cause to other people involved in an accident. It doesn't cover you or your motorcycle. Find out if your coverage includes Guest Passenger Liability, which provides protection in the event that a passenger is injured on the motorcycle. Whether or not this is included depends on the laws of your state and the company issuing the policy.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers damage to your motorcycle if you are involved in an accident. Your insurance company pays for damages, minus your deductible, caused when you collide with another vehicle or object. Collision insurance usually covers the book value of the motorcycle before the loss occurred.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by an event other than a collision, such as fire, theft or vandalism. However, just like collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for damages, minus your deductible, and will cover only the book value of the motorcycle.
Keep in mind most comprehensive and collision coverages will only cover the factory standard parts on your motorcycle. If you decide to add on any optional accessories such as chrome parts, a custom paint job, trailers or sidecars, you should look into obtaining additional or optional equipment coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured Motorist Coverage covers damages to you and your property caused by another driver who either doesn't have insurance (uninsured) or doesn't have adequate insurance (underinsured) to cover your damages.
This coverage typically pays for medical treatment, lost wages and other damages. If your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage includes property damage, then your motorcycle would also be covered under the same circumstances. Check with your insurance professional to see if property damage is included or needs to be purchased separately.
Tips for the cost-conscious rider
Many factors can play a role in determining what your insurance costs will be such as your age, your driving record, where you live and the type of motorcycle you own, or being a graduate of a rider-training course.
Many companies offer discounts from 10 to 15 percent on motorcycle insurance for graduates of training courses, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) rider course. Riders under the age of 25, usually considered a higher risk, may see some savings by taking this course. It’s also a good idea for cyclists who have already had accidents.
Maintaining a good driving record with no violations will also help reduce your premiums.
In many northern states, riders may save money by buying a "lay-up" policy. With a lay-up policy, all coverage except comprehensive is suspended during winter months.
Find out what discounts your insurance representative offers. Multibike discounts for those insuring more than one bike, organization discounts, if you’re a member of a motorcycle association, and mature rider discounts for experienced riders, are just a few possibilities. Discounts can range anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent, depending on the company and your state. Availability and qualifications for discounts vary from company to company and state to state.
Keep in mind that the type, style (such as a sports bike vs. a cruiser) and age of the motorcycle, as well as the number of miles you drive a year and where you store your bike may also affect how much you pay for your premium.
Choose the agent or company that's right for you. If you already have auto insurance, you can contact the same insurer. Otherwise, ask friends, relatives and co-workers where they bought their auto or motorcycle insurance. Your local motorcycle shop may have a company they refer customers to. Or you can check local motorcycle magazines and newspapers for insurance professionals advertising motorcycle insurance.
Source - Insurance Information Institute at www.iii.org
Motorcycle News
Runaway bull lassoed by motorcycle cop in Fresno - Los Angeles Times
 ABC7Chicago.com | Runaway bull lassoed by motorcycle cop in Fresno Los Angeles Times A Fresno motorcycle cop lassoed a runaway bull that was on the loose Friday in residential neighborhoods and forced the lockdown of two elementary schools. Sightings of the 1500-pound bull running through the streets of the city took police officers ... Fresno motorcycle officer corrals runaway bull |
Harley-Davidson motorcycle swept away by Japan tsunami to be preserved in museum - msnbc.com (blog)
 Ultimate MotorCycling | News and Reviews | Harley-Davidson motorcycle swept away by Japan tsunami to be preserved in museum msnbc.com (blog) Peter Mark / The Canadian Press via AP A rust-encrusted Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was swept away by the Japan tsunami in March 2011 was found by Peter Mark in April, washed up on an island off the coast of British Columbia. Tsunami Motorcycle to Be Preserved by Harley-Davidson Museum(TM) Harley Museum to get motorcycle that drifted across Pacific Tsunami-ravaged motorcycle to be preserved in Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee |
Rolling Thunder rumbles to mark Memorial Day - USA TODAY
 Washington Times | Rolling Thunder rumbles to mark Memorial Day USA TODAY Veterans and Rolling Thunder riders take their motorcycles through Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC Rolling Thunder has 90 chapters across the United States and expects more than 900000 veterans and their supporters to participate in the ... Motorists should expect road closures in northern Va. For Rolling Thunder ... Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally remembers POWs Best DC Motorcycle Routes For Memorial Day Weekend's Rolling Thunder |
USARPAC motorcycle safety ride thunders across Hawaii - DVIDS
USARPAC motorcycle safety ride thunders across Hawaii DVIDS US Army Pacific kicks off the Army's 100 days of summer safety May 24, 2012 on historic Palm Circle with more than 250 motorcyclists from commands throughout Hawaii with an 80-mile motorcycle safety ride. Maj. Gen. William G. Beard, deputy commanding ... |
Start-up hopes its C-1 becomes new personal transportation option - Los Angeles Times
Start-up hopes its C-1 becomes new personal transportation option Los Angeles Times The untippable motorcycle developed by Lit Motors uses gyroscopes to stay balanced in a straight line and in turns. By Susan Carpenter, Los Angeles Times Lit Motors calls it the C-1, but the San Francisco start-up's untippable motorcycle seems nothing ... |
California Motorcycle Deaths on the Rise - NBC Los Angeles
California Motorcycle Deaths on the Rise NBC Los Angeles By Jacob Rascon and Yvonne Beltzer Five motorcycle riders died in May in the Inland Empire -- deaths that come as motorcyclist fatalities appear to be on the rise in California. Now, Caltrans wants drivers to be aware of who they share the road with. |
TSUNAMI MOTORCYCLE TO BE PRESERVED BY HD MUSEUM - MarketWatch (press release)
TSUNAMI MOTORCYCLE TO BE PRESERVED BY HD MUSEUM MarketWatch (press release) MILWAUKEE, May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A Harley-Davidson motorcycle recovered on the coast of British Columbia after drifting for more than a year and 4000 miles across the Pacific Ocean following last year's Japanese Tsunami will be ... |