Understanding Motorcycle Insurance

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The laws pertaining to Florida motorcycle insurance have been a source of confusion for many motorcycle owners in the state of Florida. Many motorcycle owners falsely assume that their automobile insurance extends to cover them when they are on their motorcycle, or that if they are hit by a motorist, that motorist's insurance will cover the damages. This simply is not true.

The fact of the matter is, the PIP insurance coverage that you carry on your primary vehicle does not apply to your motorcycle. If you are hit by another motorist and that driver carries only the state minimum insurance, then chances are great that their coverage will be insufficient to cover the damages, either. In short, driving a motorcycle without Florida motorcycle insurance is a major gamble.

PIP Coverage

Most Florida motorists are familiar with PIP coverage. This is the state of Florida's minimal requirement for vehicle insurance. Because Florida is a no-fault state, this PIP coverage will pay out 80% of a drivers medical expenses, plus 60% of lost wages from work missed due to injury, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. If you own a car in addition to your motorcycle, then you at least have this minimal insurance.

However, your PIP coverage does not extend to cover you while you are on your bike. This means that if you injure someone while on your bike, you are unprotected and responsible for the expenses. This can turn even the slightest accident into a financially crippling ordeal.

Property Damage Liability

Beyond the potentially major expenses of medical treatment if you are injured while on your bike, if you damage someone's property in an accident in which you are at fault, then you could be facing even higher costs. Property damage liability coverage protects you if you cause an accident out of carelessness or neglect. Any Florida motorcycle rider should have this type of coverage.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Simply making sure that you are covered in the event that you cause an accident while one your motorcycle isn't necessarily enough. Sadly, there are a number of motorists out there who have little regard for the law and do not carry the mandatory bodily injury liability coverage. Unfortunately, if you are hit by one of this reckless and irresponsible drivers then you are left to shoulder the financial burden for medical expenses and replacing your damaged property.

Even if the other motorist is insured, there is no guarantee that their coverage will be sufficient to cover all of your expenses. The minimum coverage requirement in Florida is only $10,000 and medical expenses for serious injuries can easily reach ten times that amount. Carrying additional coverage for yourself is the best way to make sure that you can pay your medical bills if you get injured while on your bike.

Every year, thousands of motorcyclists are injured in Florida. If you ride a motorcycle in Florida and aren't protected with adequate insurance then you are taking a huge risk with your safety and your finances. Having Florida motorcycle insurance may not be mandatory in Florida, but not carrying it is just as foolish as hoping on your bike without proper safety gear. It's just not worth the risk.

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