Unless you live in Florida, Montana or Washington, you are required by law to have insurance when operating a motorcycle. If you are in a collision that causes property damage or bodily harm to another individual, liability insurance will cover that individual’s expenses. There’s also collision coverage, which covers your motorcycle if you are responsible for the collision. While motorcycle insurance is legally required in most states, there are steps you can take to lower your premium and reduce your risk of an accident in the process.
Take a Safety Course
Whether you are a first-time or seasoned motorcycle rider, you should consider taking a safety course. As explained by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), many insurance providers offer premium discounts to riders who complete a safety course.
Motorcycle safety courses are typically offered through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). This typically has two different types of courses: beginner and advanced. The beginner safety course covers basic elements like braking, shifting, throttle control and safe riding whereas the advanced course covers advanced elements like adjusting for corners, swerving to avoid a collision, defensive driving and threshold braking. Visit the MSF website to find a motorcycle safety course near you.
Avoid Accidents
While easier said than done, you should try to avoid accidents when riding your motorcycle. If you are in an accident for which you are responsible, your insurance provider may raise your premium.
You can reduce your risk of collision by driving defensively and anticipating what other vehicles are going to do next. According to the Hurt Report, three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. It’s not uncommon for other vehicles to merge into a motorcycle rider’s lane if they don’t see them first. By making yourself visible to other vehicles and keeping a safe distance, you’ll reduce your risk of collision and save money on your insurance premium.
Safety Features
You may be eligible for insurance discounts if your motorcycle has factory safety features. An anti-lock brake system (ABS), for example, is designed to stabilize the wheels when a rider hits the brakes so that it doesn’t skid off the road. Some insurance companies offer discounts to riders of motorcycles with an ABS.
Choose an Older Model
If you’re looking to buy a bike, SC motorcycle insurance agency, Upside Insurance, suggests choosing an older model. Like cars, insurance companies typically offer lower rates for older motorcycles. Older motorcycles usually cost less to repair and replacement than new ones so that you can expect a lower insurance premium.
Older motorcycles typically have smaller engines as well, which insurance companies view as a risk reduction factor. If you drive an old motorcycle with a small engine, insurance companies will assume your risk of collision is lowering than riders on new motorcycles with fast engines. Therefore, they’ll offer you lower insurance rates.
Don’t let a high insurance premium keep you from enjoying your motorcycle. Following these tips will lower your risk of collision while saving you money on insurance in the process.