If you’re planning on getting a motorcycle, there are a few things you’re going to have to figure out. First, how are you going to learn to ride one? They don’t teach you in driver’s ed, and your friends with motorcycles might not be too eager for you to hop on theirs. 

Once you have the knowhow, then you need to earn your permit, and probably your full licence from there. Then there’s the style of bike you need to decide on. You have to pick out a helmet that’s functional, but still looks cool. 

And then, when you’re finally ready to go, there’s one last step. You need to get motorcycle insurance. 

Many people don’t know until they have a motorcycle that car insurance and motorcycle insurance are not the same. While car insurance can protect you in a rental car situation or even driving someone else’s car, that protection usually stops when you hop on a two-wheeled motorcycle. 

Even if you can add an extension to your car insurance to cover a motorcycle, it’s probably not enough.  

Why? 

Because the Risks and Injuries Involved are Very Different 

Considering you need a separate license to operate a motorcycle, it shouldn’t be that surprising that a motorcycle requires separate insurance. 

When you get in a motorcycle accident, even a minor one, the thing most likely to be damaged is yourself. Even with a helmet, you are largely unprotected, riding on a machine that goes very fast. 

Additionally, a motorcycle is usually much cheaper than a car, which means there’s less vehicle damage to cover. 

Then there’s fault. In the case of motorcycle accidents, two-thirds are caused by the other party, who is usually not on a motorcycle. 

Also, with motorcycles, you’re less likely to be carrying passengers than with a car.  

For these reasons and more, motorcycle insurance is separate from car insurance. Here are some of the differences you’ll find with motorcycle insurance. 

Making Sure Personal (and Passenger) Injury is Covered 

Baseline motorcycle insurance might not cover injury sustained in a motorcycle accident. Even in no-fault states, motorcycle accidents do not fall under mandatory coverage laws like cars do. Considering how much more likely you are to be injured on a motorcycle, it’s very important that you’re properly covered. 

Additionally, passenger protection often isn’t built in, since motorcycles are viewed as one-person vehicles by default. 

When purchasing motorcycle insurance, it’s very important to make sure you, and any potential passengers, are covered should an accident happen. 

Equipment Protection 

In the case of motorcycles, protective equipment such as a helmet are considered a standard for operating the bike. As such, they’re generally covered by motorcycle insurance. 

Seasonal Protection 

Seasonal coverage is technically possible with cars, but it requires some extra leg work, and many companies don’t offer it. Seasonal coverage for motorcycles, on the hand is common, particularly for northern states, and therefore, easier to attain. 

If you’re only going to be riding your motorcycle for part of the year, don’t pay for year-round protection. 

General Add-Ons and Protection Levels 

Motorcycle insurance, of course, isn’t completely different from car insurance. There are different levels of protection. You can raise and lower your deductible, protect against different types of damage, and add additional services such as road-side assistance, towing, and more. 

Saving on Motorcycle Insurance 

The best way to get motor cycle insurance with the right amount of protection for the right price is to talk to a professional insurance agent. At Link-Hellmuth, we offer quality motorcycle insurance to Springfield, Ohio and beyond. 

Not only can we find you the perfect insurance policy, but we can help you bundle it with other insurance to save you more money. Motorcycle’s are beautiful machines, but they can also be high risk. Make sure you get the protection you need.  

Contact Link-Hellmuth today.