One of the most common misconceptions is that it’s illegal to ride a motorcycle without insurance in Florida. This isn’t true at all, and you might be surprised to learn how many people don’t know this. Motorcycles are not required by law to have any sort of liability coverage because they’re not considered “automobiles.”
However, there are certain instances where you will need some form of protection if you’re riding your motorcycle on Florida roads, like medical payments coverage or uninsured motorist coverage.
The Fran Haasch Law Group knows all about the biases that bikers face. It’s hard enough for riders to obtain compensation when they’re in an accident. Not having insurance only adds to the complications.
We love riding, and we also love our fellow riders. We never want to see anything happen to them, and we definitely don’t want to see them treated unfairly. If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, please contact us as soon as you can for a free case evaluation.
Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?
Forty-nine states require motorcycle insurance. Florida is the only state in the nation that doesn’t require motorcycle insurance. You don’t need it to register your bike, and you don’t need it to obtain a motorcycle license. You don’t even need to take a motorcycle safety course.
However, it’s always a good idea to have some form of protection from an insurance company just in case something happens. If you’re involved in an accident and you don’t have bodily injury coverage, you could be held liable for the damages caused. And if you’re injured in an accident and don’t have medical payments coverage, you could be responsible for the cost of your own medical bills.
Just because the law doesn’t force you to have motorcycle coverage, that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for not having it. It’s true that you don’t need proof of insurance to register your bike. However, you will need to show proof of financial responsibility should you be in an accident that’s your fault.
You can do this in one of two ways. One is obtaining a financial responsibility certificate from the state. You’ll either need to post a surety bond with a company licensed by the State of Florida, or you can deposit securities or cash with the DMV.
The other way is to get a self-insurance certificate. This is proof that you have the money needed to cover any costs associated with an accident that is your fault.
In other words, you’ll basically need to have unlimited resources – and you have to provide proof. Unless this applies to you, and you have the money to pay for another person’s medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, you’ll be much better off purchasing motorcycle insurance.
The Different Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
There are several different types of motorcycle insurance coverage you can choose from. The most common types are liability, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Liability insurance is the most basic type of coverage and it covers damages that you cause to another person or their property. Medical payments coverage pays for your medical bills if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. And uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re injured by a driver who doesn’t have insurance.
You can also choose to add additional coverages like collision and comprehensive coverage, which cover damages to your bike if you’re in an accident.
Can Motorcyclists Get No-Fault Insurance?
Motorcyclists are not eligible for no-fault insurance, nor are they eligible for PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. This type of insurance is only available to drivers of automobiles. This is just one of the many reasons that you should seriously consider purchasing not only liability insurance, but uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance.
If you’re in an accident with someone who isn’t covered, this type of insurance will pay for your medical bills and other expenses. If you don’t have an insurance policy, then you’ll likely be responsible for all of them.
How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost?
The cost of motorcycle insurance varies depending on a number of factors, including the type of coverage you choose, the make and model of your bike, and your age and driving record.
But on average, liability insurance costs around $300 per year. Medical payments coverage is typically a little bit more expensive, ranging from $100 to $500 per year. And uninsured motorist coverage is usually the most expensive, costing anywhere from $200 to $400 per year.
Common Mistakes Motorcyclists Make
There are a few common mistakes motorcyclists make that can lead to accidents.
The first is not wearing a helmet. Helmets aren’t required by law in Florida for riders over the age of 18. But if you don’t wear one, you could be seriously hurt or killed if you’re in an accident. You should also wear eye protection and have many other types of safety gear.
Another mistake motorcycle riders often make is riding too fast. Riding too fast makes it difficult to react quickly to changing traffic conditions and increases your chances of getting into an accident.
Finally, another common mistake is not using turn signals. Not using turn signals can confuse other drivers and lead to accidents.
How Much Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
The amount of motorcycle insurance coverage you need depends on a number of factors, including the type of bike you have, your age, and your driving record.
But generally, most motorcyclists should have liability insurance, medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. You can also add collision and comprehensive coverage if you want additional protection.
So how much motorcycle insurance coverage do you need? It depends on your individual circumstances, but most motorcyclists should have liability insurance, medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
What is Seasonal Motorcycle Insurance?
Some motorcyclists only ride their bike during certain times of the year. For example, they may only ride it in the summer when the weather is nice.
If this is you, then you can choose to buy seasonal motorcycle insurance. This type of coverage allows you to pay for insurance only during the months that you plan on riding your bike.
Seasonal motorcycle insurance is a great option for people who only ride their bike part of the year. It allows you to save money on your insurance premiums by paying for coverage only during the months that you need it.
How Can I Reduce Motorcycle Insurance Costs?
There are a few ways that you can reduce the cost of motorcycle insurance.
The first is to shop around and compare rates from different insurers. The second is to increase your deductible. A higher deductible means that you’ll have to pay more out-of-pocket if you’re in an accident, but it will also lower your premiums.
Finally, you can also try to improve your driving record by avoiding accidents and tickets.
Please. Just Get Motorcycle Insurance
Riding uninsured simply doesn’t make sense. Just because it’s not a legal requirement in Florida – as in most states – that doesn’t mean you should go without a motorcycle policy. Even if you only have minimum coverage, that’s better than nothing. If you’re caught riding without it, and you cause an accident, the financial penalties could be devastating.
