By law, California requires all drivers to carry liability coverage. However, the minimum coverage limits are fairly low—in an accident, the cost of medical bills and property damage can quickly exceed them.
If you’re a motorcyclist in the Golden State, you may wonder whether uninsured motorist coverage is necessary for your bike. After all, it’s an extra cost that can add up quickly when combined with other insurance rates. But while it may seem convenient to avoid this additional expense, being without uninsured motorist coverage can leave you financially exposed – particularly if you get into an accident with an underinsured driver.
In this post, we’ll look closer at uninsured and underinsured motorists and when it makes sense to invest in motorcycle-specific UM/UIM coverage.
What Is an Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is a form of insurance that can provide financial protection for you and your bike in an accident with a driver without liability coverage. If a driver is found to be at fault but doesn’t have enough insurance to pay out for the damages and injuries they caused, then uninsured motorist coverage can pick up the remaining costs. This type of coverage can include medical bills, lost wages, and damage to your bike.
What Is an Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), on the other hand, is a form of insurance that can provide financial protection for you and your motorcycle if you’re in an accident with a driver who has some liability coverage but not enough to cover the total cost of the damages and injuries they caused. This coverage can pick up the remaining costs, including medical bills, lost wages, and damage to your motorcycle.
Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage for a Motorcycle Worth It?
In California, uninsured motorist coverage is not legally required. However, it can provide important financial protection in an accident with someone without insurance or inadequate coverage. In such cases, the cost of uninsured motorist coverage can be well worth it in comparison to the potential financial burden you could face if you’re left with the bill for an accident caused by a driver without insurance.
Who Else Is Covered in an Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it typically covers anyone with your permission to use your motorcycle. For example, if a family member or friend borrows your bike and gets into an accident, they may be covered by your policy as long as no exclusion would prevent them from being covered.
To be clear, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is not intended to cover injuries and damages to third parties suffered by someone who rode your bike with permission. Rather, it is intended to compensate the borrower’s injuries and motorbike damages if a driver with insufficient coverage caused the collision.
By investing in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can ensure that you, your bike, and anyone with your permission to use it are financially protected if they get into an accident with someone who isn’t adequately insured. Doing so can save you from facing significant financial losses if a driver without insurance or with inadequate coverage causes an accident.
Get Your Coverage Pronto!
At Pronto, we offer comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage tailored to the needs of bikers in California. Our policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, so you can gain peace of mind knowing you’re protected if a driver without liability coverage causes an accident.
Get your free quote today and see how much you can save on motorcycle insurance with Pronto Insurance. With our coverage, you can hit the road without worry, knowing you have the right protection to keep you and your bike safe.
