Motorcycle Insurance Articles
Common Injuries Motorcycle Insurance Will Pay For After Accidents
2010-11-18
Motorcycle insurance costs can vary significantly due to a long list of factors. This list typically includes such things as the age of the rider; age, make and model of the motorcycle being insured and also the particular state in which the bike will be registered. Some states such as Florida, California, Arizona and Hawaii may have higher base motorcycle insurance costs since those owning motorcycles here are likely to ride them for much of the year because of the predominantly warmer climate. Common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents, however, can occur anywhere, regardless of locale.
While there are certainly many fewer motorcycles than cars or trucks on US roads, odds of being injured in an accident on a bike, in terms of percentages, are more than five times greater. The reason for this is simply because a driver in a car or truck is much more protected than a rider or passenger on a bike, even one wearing a helmet and protective clothing.
Because of this, motorcycles are considered riskier than four-wheeled vehicles, which are calculated by insurance companies when writing a policy. Some car insurance underwriters, in fact, don't even offer motorcycle coverage because of this greater exposure to risk. On the other hand, some insurance companies actually specialize in writing policies for motorcycle and ATV riders.
Motorcycle insurance costs are lowest for those policies covering liability only. These types of policies are usually the minimum required by state law and are designed to cover only damage caused to accident victims or property other than the insured policyholder. In other words, if you are responsible for causing an accident where any type of loss occurs, your liability protection will not pay for your injuries or damage to your motorcycle. It's only designed to protect you from your liability to the other party or parties involved.
The most common injuries sustained by a rider involved in a motorcycle accident are the breaking of joints, most commonly the pelvis and the shoulders. Other common injuries include broken knees, elbows and fingers. Road rash is also typical, which occurs from the rider sliding across the road surface. More serious but fairly typical injuries also include neck and spine trauma, concussions and head injuries.
Because, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries and fatalities for motorcycles are much higher than cars (per mile traveled), getting more comprehensive insurance coverage on your bike may be worth considering. Adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, for example, will pay benefits if someone who is uninsured or underinsured is determined to be at fault for the accident. Medical pay coverage can also be added, which is designed to pay for your medical costs.