There’s nothing quite like riding a motorcycle—the freedom, the rush and the feeling of pure enjoyment that all passionate riders share. But just as you would with a car, you’ll need insurance to protect yourself and your investment. While motorcycle insurance is not a requirement in the state of Washington, it’s important to be fully covered in the event of an accident. You shouldn’t be riding without it.
At Evergreen Motorcycle Attorneys, we would like to explain the importance of motorcycle insurance and why you need to buy it now— if you don’t already have it.
Why Get Motorcycle Insurance?
Washington State is one out of three states that do not require motorcycle insurance, including Montana and Florida. However, our motorcycle attorneys highly recommended riders purchase an insurance policy.
Motorcycle insurance is important to protect yourself and others on the road. Accidents do happen, and if you are involved in an accident, you will want to have your assets protected. If you are involved in a crash, medical payments and damage costs can get add up very fast. Having a good motorcycle insurance policy will help cover you against those expenses.
Motorcycles require more skill to operate than a car. Due to the size and shape of the bike, they can be hard for other motorists to see. This raises the risk of accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2013 due to traffic accidents.
Riders must also be mindful of where they are riding. If you’re taking a scenic route to nearby states, keep in mind that the requirements are different there. Idaho, Oregon and Canada all require motorcycle insurance. It’s better to be safe and insured than to travel in a different state without insurance and be driving against the law.
Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
You may want to consider the following types of motorcycle coverage:
- Liability coverage will cover damages or injuries you cause to a third party, including a passenger.
- Comprehensive & Collision pays to repair or replace your motorcycle if it’s stolen or damaged in a crash, regardless of who is at fault.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists will cover your injuries and damages that the at-fault party is legally liable for. This insurance kicks in if the at-fault party uninsured or does not have enough insurance to cover the loss.
- Medical Payments pays for medical bills if you and your passenger are injured in an accident. It generally does not cover lost wages and other costs.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will help cover your own medical costs and some wage loss after an accident. PIP will also generally cover your passenger as well.
Talk with your insurance provider about which of these coverage types best suits your need. However, we highly recommend that you carry UIM and PIP coverage. If you are involved in wreck that involves injuries, UIM and PIP will most likely be the most important coverage you have.
Finally, make sure your insurance limits are high enough. Generally, buy as much insurance as you can reasonably afford. This is especially true with UIM and PIP coverage. However it’s also important with your liability limits as well.
Motorcycle Endorsement vs. Motorcycle Insurance
As you are looking for motorcycle insurance, you may have the option of adding a motorcycle endorsement onto your car insurance policy. This generally means that the endorsement will extend your car insurance coverage to your motorcycle.
For many riders, the benefit to an endorsement is that your car and motorcycle will be under the same plan, thus making it simple to manage. However, this also means that you have little flexibility when it comes to the type of insurance coverage you can get for your bike. Motorcycle insurance, compared to a motorcycle endorsement, has the advantage to being its own plan and customizable to your coverage needs.
Your Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
While motorcycle insurance is not a requirement in Washington State, it is the best way to financially protect yourself in the event of an accident. The extra money that you’ll be paying every month will be well worth it every time you get on your bike.
If you have any questions on motorcycle insurance in Washington as it relates to potential injury claim, contact one of our experienced attorneys at Evergreen Motorcycle Attorneys. We’re here by your side in the event of an accident or injury. Never ride alone.