Getting insurance to protect your vehicles isn’t just smart, it’s legally mandatory in most areas. But even if the law didn’t require it, you would stlil benefit from vehicle insurance so much that going without would be foolhardy. The practical benefits of insurance are only multiplied when the vehicle in question is something small and flashy, like a motorcycle. Maybe you pride yourself on being a rebellious biker or a king of the road, but that doesn’t mean taking poor care of your motorcycle, does it? Of course not! In fact, if you’re truly conscious of how valuable your motorcycle is and how easily it can be damaged, then you’re also aware of why you need an insurance policy to cover it. A vehicle so easily totaled can’t aford to coast by on minimum liability coverage, and that’s not even taking into account your vulnerability as the bike’s driver. Hopefully, you’re convinced that you need insurance by now if you don’t have it already. But where do you start?
You can usually begin by going to the same company that insured your car or other vehicles. Insurance companies like repeat customers who hold multiple policies with them, so keeping things all in one company is often a good idea. At the same time, however, you need to do enough research into the motorcycle insurance market to know how other companies stand up by comparison. There’s no point in sticking with a company that is giving you poor coverage for high rates, after all. Don’t change companies frivolously, but know enough about all the trustworthy ones to be able to tell when you should stay and when you should jump ship. It may even be worth looking into companies that specialize in motorcycle insurance, if you’re really passionate about your bike.
When you’re getting a policy, you want to be sure that it will be there for you when you need it. After all, there’s no point in paying all those monthly fees if the insurance doesn’t pay out during an accident or some other disaster. This is why you want to stick with reliable companies with a proven name for satisfying their customers. Insurance needs to be something you can depend on for it to have any value at all, so consider that your top priority.
One of the biggest things you’ll want to look at, of course, is the overall rate of a policy. Naturally you want toe best coverage you can get for the lowest possible price. However, it’s not worth it to go with a cheaper but unreliable company over a more expensive but proven one. Remember that rule in the above paragraph! You can also cut costs by getting the legally minimum coverage for your state. Whether you want to take that risk or not is entirely up to you, of course.
Ask if your insurance company offers a discount on your policy if you have taken an approved motorcycle safety course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for people who have taken these courses. Additionally find out if there are any other discounts you may be eligible for from your insurance company such as the aforementioned multiple policy discount.
Some of the things that your service company will take into consideration while quoting you on a motorcycle insurance policy include your age, driving history and record, experience riding, and details about your motorcycle. They will consider the value, the power, and age of your motorcycle as well as any modifications that may have been made to the bike. It is important to be honest with the insurance company because if you were later found to have been untruthful they may deny future claims.
Small payments every month can make a very big difference for both you and your motorcycle over time. Don’t be scared of making a little investment for your safety. After all, being a reckless road warrior doesn’t have to mean being stupid. If you care enough to buy a bike in the first place, you owe it to yourself to protect it as much as possible.
Susan Reynolds is a content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider that specialises in Motorcycle Insurance Policies.
categories: Insurance,Motorcycle Insurance,Bike Insurance,Finance