In California it’s critically important to know your car insurance will not cover you in the event of a motorcycle crash. Even though you may have both policies with the same company the two policies are separate. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the fatality rate for motorcyclists is over six times greater than the fatality rate for passenger vehicles. This extreme difference changes the risk profile for insurance companies thus the need for separate policies covering you and any potential passengers.
California law requires liability insurance for all registered motorcycles and anyone found to be operating without the required insurance could find themselves in the same trouble they would be in if they were found to be operating their regular vehicle without insurance. In California the minimum insurance requirement is $15,000 per person and a total of $30,000 per accident if there is more than one person involved and only $5,000 for property damage caused by a collision. This is referred to as a 15/30/5 policy and this is considered to be a minimum policy.
The California Department of Insurance also encourages riders to purchase additional coverage to ensure all parties are covered in the event an accident happens. Of particular importance are uninsured and underinsured (UI/UM) motorist coverage. Even though this coverage is optional it is vital if you are struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver of which there are many in California. Our office also recommends all riders carry collision and medical payments coverage to help pay for additional accident costs.
Motorcycle accidents tend to result in serious injuries and these injuries quickly exhaust these limits. Costs exceeding your motorcycle insurance limits may result in additional out-of-pocket expenses. Motorcycle insurance premiums are based on factors including the primary rider’s age, location, experience and motorcycle type. Anytime an insurance company insures motorcycles, they assume potentially greater risks than with traditional passenger vehicles.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or contact Guenard & Bozarth online. We would be honored to represent you!
