Motorcyclist Accidents 28 Times More Likely Result in Traffic Fatalities
Clearsurance.com recently compiled a report on motorcycle safety, including tips for making motorcycle riding safer and qualifying for lower motorcycle insurance premiums.
Shockingly, motorcycle accidents are 28 times more likely to result in a fatality than car accidents. According to Clearsurance.com, wearing protective clothing and a helmet can help protect riders.
Take a Motorcycle Safety Course
According to Clearsurance.com, motorcyclists who complete a motorcycle safety course are often eligible for a 10-15% discount on insurance premiums.
Taking a safety course does more than provide riders with lower premiums; The course help riders become safer on the road and lowers their risk of being involved in an accident.
One focus of these courses is to help riders anticipate and identify danger risks. Riders can become increasingly safe as they learn to look. Another way these courses improve safety is by teaching riders to control their bikes. Hard braking can be hazardous if not done properly, and a lot of wrecks can be prevented by effective braking.
Riders will also learn to maneuver their bikes around obstacles and ride out of situations that might have left them on the ground before training.
Build a Safe Riding Record
As with car insurance, a bad driving history results in higher insurance premiums. A history of filing claims, committing traffic violations, and being involved in accidents will result in higher insurance premiums.
Riders who maintain a clean record can earn the lowest rates possible for their situation. Insurers base premiums on several factors, with driving record being one of the most crucial. Other factors contributing to premium calculations include the rider’s age and experience, where the rider lives, and credit score (where permitted).
Purchase Appropriate Coverage
Many motorcycle riders can save money by purchasing an insurance plan designed to provide full coverage during the summer months and comprehensive-only coverage or no coverage during the winter months.
Riders who opt for that type of policy won’t have coverage for riding during the winter, but they can avoid the negative consequences of having a lapse in coverage for the winter months.
Motorcyclists may also find that some insurers offer better rates than others because of how they calculate coverage. Some insurers base rates on the size of the bike’s engine, while others base rates on the bike’s value.
Keep Motorcycles Secure
Because motorcycles are smaller than vehicles, they can be easier for thieves to load onto a trailer and steal. Riders parking motorcycles in a garage may be eligible for lower insurance premiums.
Anti-theft measures like disc locks and audible alarms may also serve as deterrents to those looking for an easy steal.
Insurance providers often have relevant information about risks in the region they provide coverage and can help motorcyclists determine what security measures are the most beneficial.
Join a Motorcycle Club
According to Clearsurance.com, many insurers offer discounts to riders that are part of the American Motorcycle Association or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Membership in these clubs means riders are receiving frequent educational material and have access to safety programs that can lower their insurance risk.
In addition to helping riders get lower insurance rates, these clubs can be an excellent resource for building a riding community, making friends, and learning about the best rides in the home area and across the country.
Motorcycle Insurance Basics
Motorcycle insurance isn’t required in every state. Some states hold motorcyclists to the same minimum liability requirements as vehicle drivers, but other states have no requirements. Lenders require riders who have a loan on their motorcycle to carry full coverage insurance.
Even when not required, motorcyclists should carry insurance because without insurance, recovering financially from a crash could be impossible without insurance.
For example, if a motorcycle crashes into a car and causes $10,000 in property damage, the motorcyclist is responsible for paying for that damage. Without insurance, they would have to pay out of pocket.
Read Clearsurance.com’s full report here: 5 Tips to Lower Your Motorcycle Insurance Cost.