How Much Motorcycle Insurance Should I Have?

Riding a motorcycle on an open road can be exhilarating and pack an individual with adrenaline and excitement. The rider may feel invincible and free while the wind hits their face. They may also feel very protected in their safety apparel, so they believe they have nothing to worry about. However, if they have inadequate motorcycle insurance and they happen to get into an accident, those feelings of thrill will quickly disappear. While a motorcycle may not feel like a traditional vehicle at times, it’s crucial to get yourself and your ride insured before hitting the road.

If you have a motorcycle and you live in either Missouri or Kansas, you will be required to obtain some form of motorcycle insurance. Even before you register your vehicle, you will need to provide proof of this insurance. The coverage must be maintained during the entire registration period and the insurance information must be carried while riding. Like the majority of states, Missouri and Kansas require that the riders carry the minimum coverage amounts of liability insurance for motorcycles. If the motorcycle is being financed, the lender may sometimes require that the rider have both comprehension and collision coverage.

In both states, the minimum insurance requirements are as follows:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability limit per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury liability limit per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

These amounts are often written as 25/50/25 in insurance paperwork. As far as how much you may pay for premiums, that number truly depends on the rider’s age, the kind of motorcycle they have, where the rider lives, and how inexperienced/experienced they are as a rider.

What other types of motorcycle insurance are there?

There are other types of motorcycle insurance that a rider can purchase. Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay, helps to provide additional protection if they’re injured in an accident. Accessory Coverage helps with covering any equipment or parts that the rider is utilizing at the time of the accident. It may not seem like a big deal to many people, but motorcyclists invest well in specialized safety apparel and gear; therefore, these should be protected, too. Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is required in Kansas and helps with medical costs without regard to fault.

Why should I have more motorcycle insurance?

It’s normally assumed that motorcycles are at higher risk than cars, but how much exactly, and why would this matter when buying motorcycle insurance? Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than passengers in sedans. They are also four times more likely to be injured than a passenger in an enclosed car. Due to the nature of the motorcycle and the many different ways that a motorcycle accident can occur, the types of injuries the rider can sustain are unpredictable. It could range from a simple sprain to an entire tear in the muscle. The motorcycle could end up with a few bumps or dents or it can be completely totaled.

So, when you find yourself asking the question, “how much motorcycle insurance should I get?”, the best answer is: as much as possible. Having minimum coverage may help you in a minor accident, but the truth is that it is never known when we will get into an accident and how severe it will be. It’s suggested to have as much collision and comprehensive coverage as possible to ensure that you and your ride will be protected and covered in all sorts of instances. Having extra comprehensive coverage can also protect you and your motorcycle from accidents that do not involve other vehicles, like natural disasters and unexpected road debris.

What if the other driver is not insured?

The basic aspects like comprehensive and collision coverage are significant; however, having minimum coverage may not be enough to cover your injuries and your ride if the other driver at fault is not insured or does not have enough insurance. It is vital to not forget about purchasing uninsured motorist coverage, also known as UM or UIM. If you are injured by another driver who was not carrying insurance at the time of the accident, having UIM protects you from having to pay for your own injuries.

It is often recommended to obtain the maximum uninsured coverage available. For an accident that was not the motorcyclist’s fault, they may be left with having to cover thousands of dollars in medical expenses if the responsible party does not have insurance coverage. It is important to keep in mind that health insurance companies are always looking to pay the least amount possible. Do not rely on them for your medical expenses caused by this type of accident.

How severe can motorcycle accident injuries be?

There are countless types of injuries that an individual can sustain from a motorcycle accident, depending on how severe the accident was and if other vehicles were involved. Motorcyclists may feel they are attentive and prepared enough with safety gear, but they will always be more at risk of severe injury. Compared to a car, they do not have protective boundaries, and some car drivers may not respect motorcycles or even deem them as vehicles. A rider could be easily thrown off their motorcycle and dragged across the harsh, hot asphalt because of a motorist or debris on the road.

Some injuries from accidents involving motorcycles include broken bones, burns, road rash, disfigurement, ligament damage, and more. More severe injuries involve paralysis, severed limbs, and brain injuries that can lead to death. Brain injuries are extremely dangerous as they could cause lifelong complications like seizures, memory loss, loss of motor control, and so much more — especially if left untreated. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to mild numbness that can be temporary or permanent, or it could cause full-blown paralysis of many parts of the body. Car and truck drivers should be extra vigilant for motorcyclists on the road, as a seemingly simple crash could lead to many severe injuries.

Whether you have a good amount of insurance or not, a motorcycle accident can lead to devastating injuries with long-term effects. If you or a loved one experienced an injury due to a motorcycle accident, reach out to an experienced lawyer from Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys today. Contact our Kansas City, MO, office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Our other Missouri locations are Lee’s Summit, Parkville, and St. Joseph. We have offices located in Kansas: Olathe, Kansas City, and Overland Park. These locations are by appointment only.