10th March 2007

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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10th March 2007

Progressive Motorcycle Insurance Features and Coverages

Progressive Motorcycle Insurance is one of the top-selling insurance product lines in the United States. The provider offers its motorcycle insurance products through two distinct marketing channels called Drive and Progressive Direct. The former corresponds to the needs of customers off- line while the latter caters to online buyers and consumers.

Motorcycle riders shopping for insurance have many ways of purchasing a policy. At Progressive, customers have a choice between Drive and Progressive Direct. Drive policies are offered through brokers and agents while Progressive Direct is for riders who prefer making their purchase online or through the telephone. Whatever option customers prefer, Progressive motorcycle insurance can lay out a series of options from which buyers can take their pick.

The premiums for Drive and Progressive Direct are different. When insurance is purchased through an agent or broker, as in the case of Direct policies, the motorcycle insurance quote factors in the commission of the agent or broker who made the sale. On the other hand, Progressive Direct policy rates incorporate the cost of maintaining a direct-selling center.

The protection provided by Progressive include bodily injury and property damage liability, collision and comprehensive, uninsured and underinsured motorists, medical payments, custom parts and equipment, and roadside assistance. Valued customers can enjoy significant discounts and riders with a good safety record are given low premium quotes. Insurance quotes are computed based on a rider’s safety record, marital status, age, type of motorcycle and the number of claims made against previous policies. Progressive also has a discount tie-up and is offering coverage for multiple motorcycles and a homeowner’s discount.

The company underwrites policies for a variety of motorcycle types. It provides coverage for customized motorcycles and bikes that are over 25 years old. Motorcycles are classified into several types and the more popular types include, the cruiser, the limited production cruiser, street sport, high-performance, touring, sport touring, regular, dual purpose or endure, motocross or dirt bike, mopeds, scooter and trike.

Progressive motorcycle insurance has become easily accessible through the company’s Web site. The site offers information not only about motorcycle insurance, but everything that has to do with riding a motorcycle. Most valuable to riders is the information on U.S. state laws pertaining to motorcycle driving. The site also offers road safety tips and recommends motorcycle safety equipment and devices to give customers a better idea of how to take care of themselves and their vehicles.

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10th March 2007

How to Customise Your Motorcycle Insurance!

Everyone wants the best insurance premium! So how do you go about getting it? Because motorcycle insurance has always been a high-risk, premiums are calculated differently to that of a car. Knowing these factors can help you customise your insurance.

Lets take a look at a few of the factors that influence your premiums…

The Age of the Rider!

How long the owner has operated a motorbike is a major factor! First-time bikers will be charged higher premiums despite their age. To save money on coverage, it is advisable to take a motorcycle driving class through a legitimate track school. Find out more though your local bike shops!

The Perception of Bikers

In the past bikers were perceived with a negative attitude! This view still persists, especially with larger companies who do not specialise in motorcycle insurance. In South Africa, thankfully there are companies like Harnacks Insurance who have known that not all bikers deserve this reputation. Using a more up-to-date and less biased calculation, Harnacks make sure low-risk policyholders no longer subsidise high-risk individuals!

Low-Risk Policy Holders

Riders who prove to be competent, receive the best premiums. Obviously age is one factor to consider. If you’ve been biking for 20 years, let your insurer know. If you’ve got an excellent history without accident or have never made a claim, again let your insurer know you’re a credible rider.

However, if you are older, although inexperienced, or younger with much experience, this will also play a role in determining your premium. Talk to an insurance company who offers a personalised service and they’ll evaluate your individual circumstances.

Also, riders who use their motorcycles for recreation, as opposed to regular commuting, will have a lower premium. The frequency of use therefore determines your level of risk.

High-Risk Individuals

Another factor is the size of your bike and its cost. Expect to pay more for a Kawasaki ZX14, 1400cc than you’d pay for a Honda Super Four, 400cc.

If you ride a customised bike with performance parts, you’re considered differently than if your motorcycle was stock standard.

Drivers Licence

Although it’s nice that your learner licence allows you to ride for up to a year and a half, a full licence affords you greater credibility, and thus lowers your premiums. Get your full licence!

The Motorcycle

Purchasing a motorcycle that is relatively old can help you save money on insurance. Additions such as an alarm system or tracking device will also lower the rate, together with storage in a secure area. Bear in mind that expensive features like GPS systems or sound systems increase your premiums.

Newer motorcycles are prone to theft so high risk neighbourhoods can make your coverage more expensive! Try to avoid parking your bike in risky areas on a regular basis i.e. inner-city streets, busy sidewalks and so on!

Conclusion

Taking these factors into consideration will lower your premiums. Customise your motorcycle insurance by informing your insurance company, lowering risk factors and becoming a credible rider. Ride to live, live to ride!

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10th March 2007

California Motorcycle Insurance

There are several insurance companies that cater to all kinds of motorcycle insurance in California. They offer dozens of useful hints that save you a lot of dollars. If you want to buy motorcycle insurance, it is advisable to shop more than 25 top rated, best service insurance companies for the lowest premium. Additional discounts are given for being a safe rider, insuring more than one bike, and touring bikes. A bike owner is very likely to get a medical expense policy without any hospitalization insurance. The coverage for motorcycle insurance is very different from that of an automobile insurance policy. Motorcycles give less protection than automobiles, so the chance of severe injuries is high. Motorcycle insurance serves to reduce a high percentage of money loss in accidents. There are various types of motorcycle insurance coverage in California. Liability (bodily injury), property damage, uninsured or underinsured motorist, comprehensive, collision, and medical expenses are among them. If an accident occurs due to the fault of the motorcyclist, the liability coverage pays the injured person. According to California motorcycle insurance law, the insurance companies have to spend $15,000 per person for an injured person and $30,000 for all injured persons in a single accident. Property damage coverage will pay for the property that is damaged by your motorcycle. The law requires $5,000 for the destruction of property of others. Collision coverage requires comparatively large amount of deductible than that for standard bikes. If an accident is caused by an uninsured person or those who do not have enough bodily injury coverage to satisfy your claim, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will pay for you. It also meets your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and future damages. The coverage pays around $30,000 per person and $60,000 for all persons injured in any one accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for losses due to theft, flood and fire, while medical expenses coverage meets all medical expenses.

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10th March 2007

Save Big Bucks On Motorcycle Insurance

If you own a Harley, Yamaha, Honda or other fine bike you are probably very proud of your wheels. Bike prices are skyrocketing in the face of more motorists deciding to take to the streets in search of the ultimate riding experience. How well insured are you? Are you satisfied with your current motorcycle insurance? Just because your auto insurance is with one insurance company doesn’t mean that you’ll get the best deal on motorcycle insurance with them, therefore it is important for you to shop around for competitive quotes for your cruising or touring bike. Let’s face it. Not every auto insurance company will offer motorcycle insurance. You could have the best auto insurance plan available for the buck, but learn that motorcycle insurance isn’t even covered by the company. Or, if it is covered, rates are through the roof as your insurer simply doesn’t want to cover the risk involved with riding. Whatever the reason, you may want to shop for motorcycle insurance separately from your car insurance. This insurance should offer a wide range of options including: Damage to your vehicle Theft of your bike Vandalism of your ride Collision insurance In addition, towing and labor can be included with your plan or medical payments and even additional coverage for special equipment such as exhaust pipes, side cars, and more. Choose the deductibles that work best for your needs. If you don’t ride your bike all that much, particularly in colder weather, make certain that you insurance representative takes information into consideration when quoting you a rate. Why pay for extra insurance if you only ride your bike six months out of the year? If you find that the rates quoted to you are still too high, you may be overlooking additional available discounts due you including: the successful completion of a motorcycle safety course you had previously taken and your riding association membership. In many cases you can receive additional discounts if your homeowners insurance and auto insurance are through the same company. Savings of ten percent or more on all of your insurance is possible if you bundle your insurance through one provider.

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