Like all motor vehicle operators in Washington, motorcyclists must carry accident insurance. This can cover many costs in the event of a motorcycle accident. However, sometimes insurance isn’t enough.
In this blog post, we sill discuss some of what motorcycle accident insurance commonly covers and when it might be insufficient.
What’s covered
- Each insurance policy is different, so check your policy to make sure. Insurance policies can cover:
- Liability insurance, in case you injure someone else or their property with your motorcycle, to cover their costs
- Passenger liability insurance, in case your passenger is injured
- Costs of repairs to your motorcycle after a collision, whether you are at fault or not
- Comprehensive coverage for repair or replacement if your motorcycle is damaged by something other than a collision
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, for your damages stemming from an accident caused by a driver who has insufficient insurance to cover your losses
- Personal injury, to cover your medical costs stemming from an accident, whether you caused it or no
When insurance is not enough
In theory, the above should be enough to cover most of your needs after a motorcycle accident. In practice, it doesn’t always work that way.
Motorcycle insurance is expensive — typically more expensive than car insurance. As a result, many motorcycle riders are forced to carry policies that are less robust than they would like. Many policies have upper limits, and policyholders can exceed these limits when they have suffered serious injuries that require expensive medical treatment.
On top of that, insurance companies frequently pay out less than their customers need or deserve. Insurance is a business, after all, and insurance companies have an incentive to pay less.
In some cases, it may be appropriate to take legal action against your insurance company if it is not honoring its commitment to you. However, it may be more effective for you to take legal action against someone else. if your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you can hold that negligent driver liable for your damages.