Uninsured Motorist / Underinsured Motorist ~ Motorcycle Insurance

There are a lot of uninsured riders and drivers on the roads today, and they cause a lot of accidents. There are also a lot of people riding and driving who are woefully underinsured. A lot.

Fortunately, uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist insurance coverage is available to protect you from other people’s errors.

Also known as UM/UIM insurance, this type of motorcycle insurance coverage is available from most insurance companies, and it can give you an extra layer of protection.

Below is information about uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance, what most motorcycle insurance companies will cover with it, what isn’t covered, how much it costs, and how to choose the right coverage limits.

Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Insurance For Motorcycles
Uninsured motorist insurance provides coverage if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have any insurance. Underinsured motorist insurance applies when the at-fault driver or rider has insurance, but their liability limits are too low to cover the full extent of the damages and medical expenses.

What Does UM/UIM Motorcycle Insurance Cover
Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist insurance typically covers expenses related to an accident.

Medical Expenses: UM/UIM covers hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and, sometimes, lost wages.

Motorcycle Repairs: UM/UIM covers the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle.

Pain and Suffering: UM/UIM can compensate for physical and emotional distress.

What Doesn’t UM/UIM Insurance Cover
UM/UIM insurance only kicks in if you’re involved in an accident in which the driver at fault has no insurance or has insurance with liability limits that aren’t high enough to cover all of the costs of the accident.

UM/UIM typically doesn’t cover:

• you and your property if you’re at fault (you’ll need collision insurance and medical payments insurance or personal injury protection insurance)
• your own liability if you’re at fault (you’ll need liability insurance)
• property damage in certain states (in some states, UM/UIM is only limited to bodily injuries and wouldn’t cover the damage to your motorcycle; you’ll need collision insurance or comprehensive insurance)
• riding without a helmet in certain states (in some states, if helmet use is mandatory and you’re involved in an accident and aren’t wearing a helmet, UM/UIM insurance may not cover your injuries)

Cost Of UM/UIM Insurance
The cost of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage varies from company to company, but it’s generally based on some or all of the factors listed below.

Policy Limits: With most insurance companies, you can choose your level of UM/UIM coverage, and the higher your limits, the higher your premiums.

Location: If you live and ride in an area with a higher percentage of uninsured motorists, you might have to pay more for UM/UIM coverage.

How To Choose The Right UM/UIM Coverage Limits
When choosing how much UM/UIM insurance coverage you need, you should factor in your personal health insurance policy (and its level of coverage), the value of your motorcycle, and how much personal financial risk you want to take on.

Check With Your Insurance Agent Or Company
Please note that the information provided above is for informational purposes only. For the most accurate, up-to-date, specific information, check with your insurance agent or insurance company.