Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

You have been seriously contemplating on getting a motorcycle to add to your vehicle collection but cannot decide on which insurance policy to get. Should you include a motorcycle policy in your existing auto policy? Or should you rather get a separate, full fledged motorcycle policy for your motorcycle alone? There are many insurance companies who offer supplemental insurance or endorsement for motorcycles though the coverage may be not as broad.


The difference between a rider policy and an individual motorcycle insurance policy is perhaps not that significant but there are specific clauses that you have to consider before purchasing one. Choosing a rider policy would essentially mean that a certain document containing the motorcycle policy is attached to your mother document – in this case, your auto insurance policy. The coverage your motorcycle insurance gets will be largely based on the collective guidelines in your auto insurance. For example, your motorcycle liability coverage will be the same as that of your auto liability coverage and so on.

An advantage may be pointed out in the motorcycle rider policy and that is the convenience of having to deal with only one document, be it in billing and payment issues or in renewals and claims.


Because it is merely an attachment to your auto policy, it is generally easier to manage. On the other hand, a disadvantage that stands out in this type of motorcycle policy is a limited coverage: most insurance companies do not allow customization since it already extends an umbrella coverage over all the policies anyway. Amounts cannot be altered in any way, even for a specific need.

A full fledged motorcycle insurance policy may be more effective to some extent, depending on the usage of your motorcycle. For the most part, it is drafted with only the motorcycle insurance in mind, focusing on the hazards that are unique only to a motorcycle and its rider. More coverage is given to both motorcycle and rider in terms of liability, collision, and other important factors. You are free to choose the limits which you believe to be sufficient for you. Check with your existing insurance company if they can give a discount when enrolling in motorcycle insurance separately. Some companies offer direct savings for multi-policy holders.

Essentially, you will need a full and individual motorcycle policy if you take your bike out into the streets more often than you do your other vehicles. Statistics have proven that the risk involved for a motorist on a motorcycle is far greater than the risk of another motorist in a car. You may want to increase your liability, collision and comprehensive policies to give you a wider coverage so that the next time you ride in the wind, you can practically leave all your cares behind!