As motorcycles become more popular throughout the United States, there are more riders on the road. More motorcycles can raise the probability that you or someone you love may be involved in a motorcycle accident. As a motorcycle owner, it is important to understand what types of insurance you should have on your motorcycle and what is and is not covered.
TYPES OF INSURANCE FOR A MOTORCYCLE
In the State of New Hampshire, motorcycle insurance coverage is not mandated by the law. As experienced motorcycle accident lawyers and motorcyclists, we highly encourage all motorcyclists to carry full coverage insurance on their motorcycle. If you do not maintain sufficient insurance coverage and are seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, your medical bills may not be fully covered by insurance.
Full Coverage Insurance
It is highly recommended that motorcyclists obtain full coverage insurance. This type of insurance typically includes:
- Bodily injury liability limits and uninsured/underinsured limits of at least $250,000;
- Medical payments coverage of at least $10,000; and
- Collision, comprehensive and property coverage on your motorcycle.
Although New Hampshire is a non-mandatory insurance state, if you suffer serious injuries due to your accident, your medical bills may far exceed your savings. Health insurance coverage may pay these accident-related medical bills. When this happens, the health insurance company may place a lien against any injury settlement or verdict to get reimbursed for their payouts.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is another option for insurance coverage. In some cases, certain convictions may require that you file proof of insurance (SR-22) with the state, including:
- Driving under the influence (DUI);
- Underage DUI;
- Leaving the scene of an accident;
- Multiple flagged traffic violations; or
- Multiple reckless driving convictions.
In most cases, the individual will be required to continuously file proof of insurance with the state for a minimum of three years from their conviction date.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage generally has different required minimums, depending on whether you carry full coverage or liability insurance.
Liability insurance requires minimum coverage of $25,000 per person, but will typically cover no more than $50,000 per accident for uninsured or underinsured motorists.
For example, with liability insurance, an underinsured motorist, will have just enough insurance to cover losses suffered as a result of a collision. This type of insurance will not cover any additional damages, such as medical bills or prolonged treatments. An underinsured motorist clause will pay for your injuries when the at-fault motorist has insurance coverage, but the liability limit is not high enough to fully compensate you for all the damages you have suffered.
Alternatively, an uninsured motorist is simply a person that has no insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage is an insurance clause that will cover you in the event that you are hit by a motorist that is uninsured.
NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. understand the complexities that take place when the unimaginable happens and you are injured in an accident. As advocates for our clients, we exert our best efforts to maximize any recovery for the injuries that you have sustained as a result of your motorcycle accident. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney today for a free injury consultation.