Motorcycle Insurance
Like car insurance, insuring your motorcycle is only one small part of the equation; the other, larger, part is protecting you from liability should your driving cause injury or property loss to other drivers. Smallwood Insurance Agencies helps Maryland motorcycle owners find the right motorcycle insurance, period.
Why You Need Motorcycle Insurance
There’s only one state that does not require motorcycle insurance, and it’s not Maryland. Even if it weren’t required, we would still suggest it. A motorcycle accident is an expensive proposition, after all. Riders don’t have the same protection afforded by the unibody and sheetmetal of a car, so they’re much more likely to be injured, and thirty times more likely to perish in an accident.
The cost of an accident starts high and can quickly end up stratospheric; Autoblog pegs the starting cost of a non-fatal accident at $2,500, with costs often adding up to a million dollars or more. Add a fatality — yours, or another rider or driver’s — to the mix and the costs climb higher still, thanks to medical and legal expenses, judgments, lost wages, and more.
Types of Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcycle insurance policies are similar in many respects to your auto insurance policy. The one exception is discussed below, and should be taken up with your insurance agent. So, too, should the other ancillary insurance products available to you.
Vehicle Liability Insurance
If you incur damage or suffering on a third party in the form of injury, property damage, or death, vehicle liability pays the damages. The coverage minimums dictated under Maryland motor vehicle law are discussed below.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Just because you have insurance doesn’t mean the other party in an accident was as diligent. Having uninsured motorist coverage prevents the expenses from that accident coming out of your pocket.
Personal Injury Protection
Unlike your auto insurance policy — where it’s required — Maryland law does not require personal injury protection (PIP) for motorcycle riders. However, we strongly suggest it, since this coverage assists with hospitalization, disability, and ongoing medical expenses that may arise from an accident. Having your life insurance policy in order likely wouldn’t hurt either.
Motorcycle Insurance in Maryland
Maryland requires you to have a motorcycle insurance policy in order to register and ride your motorcycle. While there are many types of motorcycles, the state has a specific definition: a vehicle with two or three wheels and an engine displacing 70 cc’s or more. There are also specific MVA requirements for insurance coverage — the same minimums, incidentally, as for auto insurance in the state.
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $60,000 for 2 or more people
- $15,000 property damage
A friendly reminder: if you’re an uninsured motorcycle rider, you’re breaking the law. As such, you face loss of plates, steep fines, restoration fees, registration suspension, and additional penalties that may be court-imposed. The cost of insurance pales by comparison.
Motorcycle Insurance from Smallwood Insurance Agencies
Most Marylanders are inundated with insurance advertisements on a daily basis. The temptation to shave a few dollars off our insurance costs is tempting, but remember that there’s a right way to save on insurance. Rather than sacrificing coverage, we will help you bundle your motorcycle insurance with other policies, whether you’re here for auto insurance, homeowners insurance, or renters insurance.
More importantly, unlike insurance providers that cut corners, we’re here through the claims process to ensure that you have the help and support you need. We invite you to contact Smallwood Insurance Agencies for insurance quotes based on a policy that best fits your insurance needs.
