26th October 2006

Motorcycle Insurance Information and Tips

If you have been looking for motorcycle insurance, you’ve probably noticed how similar it is to insuring an automobile. Motorcycles are a lot of fun, economical to ride and they give you the ability to experience freedom on the road. However, just like any vehicle, you must at least be minimally insured to be allowed on the road to protect yourself, others and your motorcycle investment. You have the option to shop around to find cheap motorcycle insurance, regardless, there are many factors affecting the premium of your policy.

Motorcycle Insurance Premiums Usually Vary According To ;

- Number of years riding experience
- Your age
- Value of bike
- Type of bike - cruiser, touring, sport, sport/touring
- Driving record, previous claims - tickets, accidents, etc
- Where you reside - High crime areas will result in higher premiums
- Engine size of motorcycle - commonly under 500cc, 500-750cc, 750-1000cc and 1000 and up
- Commute - Whether or not you commute to work and amount of mileage you ride
- Training - Whether you have taken a motorcycle safety course or special training
- Number of years consistently insured

With many companies, you may find that motorcycles are considered to be high risk vehicles, and depending on the size, power, make and year, motorcycle insurance may seem a little costly to some. Get a motorcycle insurance quote and make a few rate comparisons, but cheaper may not necessarily better, depending on what you get. Motorbikes are very fast, and could be somewhat intimmidating to an inexperienced rider. If this applies to you, a great way to obtain cheap motorcycle insurance is to take a riding course and purchase a basic motorcycle that is a few years old with less power. This will keep your premiums low while you learn to handle a motorcycle and accumulate some experience. An older motorcycle may not require as much coverage as a sporty and flashy new one.

Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage commonly include ;

- Liability - in an accident, covers damages to others ;
- Passenger liability - covers injuries and bodily harm to passengers ;
- Uninsured motorist - protects you from drivers with insufficient or no insurance ;
- Medical expenses - due to an accident ;

- Collision and Comprehensive - Pays for the repairs or the replacement of your motorcycle, as well as protects against fire, theft and vandalism. Additional insurance may be required to protect any modifications done to your bike, equipment other than standard equipment and more.

Motorcycle insurance policies can be quite flexible considering their level of risk due to theft and danger. An older, more basic one will alter your chances of finding cheap motorcycle insurance. This could be a good option for beginners until they get a few years of riding experience under their belt. You could save a considerable amount.

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26th October 2006

Online Motorcycle Insurance Quote - Where to Get One

Getting an online motorcycle insurance quote is very convenient, but the online motorcycle quote that you get may not be accurate. You may be in for a surprise if you don’t carefully check the information that you send in for the quote, and check the information you receive when you are given a quote.

Start with the information that you are supplying on the form. If you omit any information, or if you get any information wrong, the quote that you receive will not be accurate. You need to remember that this is just a quote. You are not applying for the insurance, and by supplying wrong information, or omitting information, you won’t be doing yourself any favors.

You cannot fool the insurance companies. Omitting information will not get you a lower rate, because when you actually apply for the insurance, the insurance company will get a copy of your driving record, and possibly a copy of your credit report as well. They may require pictures of the motorcycle, or they may require you to bring the motorcycle to an agency for inspection. If you’ve omitted any information – whether it was on purpose or on accident – the insurance company will find out during the application process.

Most online quote sites don’t allow for discount information. In other words, if you are eligible for specific discounts, you won’t see those discounts when the comparisons are done. You will need to contact the insurance companies for a more accurate quote that includes your discounts.

After you get your online motorcycle insurance quote, call the insurance companies for a more accurate quote, and apply for the insurance over the telephone if possible, as opposed to applying online. This way you can be sure that you are getting the most accurate quote possible.

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26th October 2006

Motorcycle Insurance Quote

An insurance quote is the first step towards buying motorcycle insurance. It lets you know how much it would cost to provide insurance for your bike. Such quotes make it possible to compare prices and know which one would suit you best.

Today, numerous insurance companies and agencies exist. Such companies offer different schemes and quotes for different kinds of motorcycles. Due to the large number of companies, you have to be on guard and seek insurance quotes from different companies before you buy a policy.

Insurance quotes can be obtained in different ways. They can be had either from insurance agents or online, by completing a form which requires you to provide certain information.

Quotes provided by insurance companies, agencies, or brokers usually give an estimate of your insurance payment. Insurance quotes are provided quickly online. Online quotes usually offer quotes on a six-month insurance policy.

Companies such as GEICO, Progressive Direct, Insurance Finder, Ace Insurance Services, All State, Sentry Insurance, Motorcycle Services, LLC, Bike-Line, Foremost Insurance Group, and Rider Insurance Agency provide free online insurance quotes to motorcyclists.

Insurance quotes usually vary from one company to the other, depending upon a number of factors including the type of coverage (liability, medical payment, roadside help, uninsured motorcyclist, and much more), motorcycle engine, type of motorcycle, brand of motorcycle, your driving history, your locality, driving education, and many other factors.

Hence, a bad driving history, sports bikes, less secure locality, and other factors lower your chances of getting a discounted insurance policy.

Quotes are the first step towards buying motorcycle insurance. Providing an idea of insurance offered by different companies, they help you choose the best motorcycle insurance policy.

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26th October 2006

What Comprises a Motorcycle Insurance Quote?

A motorcycle insurance quote is based on the type of insurance coverage a motorcyclist requires. The most basic element of an insurance quote for motorbikes is the liability coverage which includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage coverage per accident. It is always a good idea to obtain more extensive liability insurance than what the law requires because drivers can sue other drivers who injure them in accidents and minimum liability insurance does not cover this risk.

If a rider causes an accident, collision insurance will cover the cost of motorcycle repair. Collision coverage is the most expensive component of a motorcycle insurance quote. A higher deductible can result to a lower premium. The cost of replacing a motorcycle or repairing damages with materials of similar kind and quality, without removing depreciation, is the replacement cost. Depreciation is the estimated value of the vehicle when wear and tear is taken into account. Insurance companies would declare a motorcycle a total loss when the repair costs exceed a given percentage of the motorcycle’s worth.

Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, pays for motorcycle damages that are not due to an accident. This covers anywhere from damages caused by theft, fire, vandalism, disasters to hitting an animal on the road. It is wise to check a motorcycle’s book value as insurance companies do not normally pay more than this particular value.

Another part of the insurance package for motorcycles is the medical payments that cover the medical expenses incurred by the rider and his passenger, if any. The expenses can come from accidents while riding one’s own motorcycle or someone else’s with permission. It also covers injuries incurred as pedestrians. Expanded forms of this coverage include personal injury protection and broader no-fault coverage, which may pay for lost income and child care.

Meanwhile, coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists pays for injuries incurred by a rider if he figures in an accident where the other party or parties have no insurance. Some companies even provide coverage for property damage. Other supplemental coverage products are also offered by companies either as part of the master policy or as separate premium items. These could include rental reimbursement, towing and labor costs and gap coverage for a new motorcycle. The last item pays for the difference in the actual cash value of the insured motorcycle and the amount left on its financing if it was declared a total loss in an accident.

Most consumers would admit to not fully understanding a motorcycle insurance quote that is provided for them when purchasing insurance for their motorcycle. People tend to focus on the bottom line figure giving little or not attention to how this figure was arrived at. It would be wise to gain an understanding of the basic features of a motorcycle insurance policy if only to realize that the money paid for the premium is indeed well spent.

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