Motorcycle riders are at a higher risk of getting into an accident as compared to car riders. Did you know that approximately 5000 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2019? If the number of motorcycle crash-related deaths is so high, one can only imagine the number of accidents that year. Hence, along with motorcycle insurance being a legal mandate, it’s also essential for your own safety.
If you’ve recently bought a motorcycle or you’re getting your bike insured for the first time, it’s natural for you to be confused. Hence to help you sail through the process smoothly, we have prepared the ultimate recommendation list for motorcycle insurance coverage.
Also, if you are looking for motorcycle insurance in Canada, we advise you to opt for reputable companies like Surex. They provide all-around protection, plus the best rates in the market.
5 Types Of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
Here is a list of the five most common types of motorcycle insurance:
1. Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is legally required in almost every Canadian state. It takes care of the medical and repair expenses of the victim of an accident you were responsible for. Keep in mind that this coverage does not provide any compensation to the policyholder.
However, liability insurance is equally essential for policyholders because you might face a lawsuit if you fail to compensate the victim. Besides covering the post-accident expenses of the victim, liability insurance will also cover your legal expenses should the victim sue you.
2. Uninsured Motorist Coverage
When you get into an accident where someone else is at fault, it’s their liability insurance that is supposed to take care of your expenses. However, not every driver will have enough coverage limit to compensate for your losses. That’s where an uninsured motorist coverage steps in. While you can surely sue the driver for not paying you, the first thing you need to do is pay your own bills. Hence, uninsured motorist coverage will prevent you from a financial pitfall.
3. Collision Coverage
Crashes are one of the biggest causes of damage when it comes to motorcycles. Whether you crash with another vehicle on the road or a tree, the damage can be severe in both cases. Collision coverage will cover the repair cost for your car in case you get into an accident. The best part about having collision coverage is that it kicks in regardless of who was at fault. However, if the other driver was at fault, your insurance company will do its best to extract the compensation from him.
4. Comprehensive Coverage
Just because your motorcycle is not on the road does not mean that it is safe. Several other factors can damage your bike, which includes:
- Floods and earthquakes
- Animal attack
- Intentional vandalism
- Falling objects
In addition to the above, comprehensive coverage will compensate for the loss even if your bike is stolen. You can also get the actual value of the car depending on the type of policy you have. All that you need to do is pay the deductible and reap the benefits of this insurance policy.
5. Medical Payments
Depending on the severity of the crash, motorcycle accidents can leave you with grave injuries. In a situation like that, medical payments coverage ensures that your treatment goes on uninterrupted and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Recommendations For Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind before buying motorcycle insurance:
- Always buy insurance from a reputable company to ensure safe transactions and smooth settlements.
- The model of the bike plays a huge role in deciding the premium. Expensive bikes cost higher to insure. Hence, before you buy the motorcycle, consider the effect it will have on your premium.
- Certain things like installing anti-theft devices, increasing your deductible, or enrolling in a driving course can help you reduce your premium.
- Several add-ons will add an extra layer of protection to your bike. Consider the options carefully before settling down with a plan.
What Decides Your Motorcycle Insurance Premium
We all love to get a little discount on everything we buy. The same goes for insurance. Hence, if you want to know how you can land the most affordable policy, it is important to understand what affects your bike’s premium in the first place.
1. Model of The Bike
The model of the bike plays a crucial role in deciding the premium. The more expensive the bike, the higher the premium will be. The reason behind this is that expensive bikes cost more to repair. This increased cost ultimately leads to an increase in your premium.
2. Safety Features and Probability of Accidents
You might know that installing an anti-theft device in your vehicle can reduce your premium. The reason is that an anti-theft device reduces the chances of robbery and the risk on your insurer’s part. Similarly, any safety feature that reduces the chances of an accident or robbery will help in reducing your premium.
Apart from that, your probability of getting into an accident is also taken into consideration. This is decided by reviewing the crash rate of your bike’s model. The crash rate is basically the number of bikes of the same model that were involved in an accident in a given period.
3. Location
Certain locations, especially the ones with a high population have a higher accident rate. Hence, the insurance premium for policyholders of that location will also be higher. If your area has a high crime rate, it will indicate that motorcycles are at a higher risk of being stolen. This, too, will add to the rates of your premium.
4. Age
Younger people generally have less driving experience. Hence, they are considered as a high-risk party. That’s why policyholders from the age group of 18 to 25 would have to pay higher premiums than older policyholders.
Endnote
Since insurance is a substantial investment, it is important to opt for a reputable company that’ll keep your money safe. We hope that the above guide will help you land the best coverage at an affordable rate.