Motorcycle Insurance
 

So I'm getting my motorcycle license next week, and my Stella will arrive in 2-3 weeks (in black, sans wind screen). I started shopping around for motorcycle insurance but I'm not sure what level of liability is really needed. I think I asked for a bit too much, what does OOT recommend I get and why? Please consider the following:

1) I was in a skiing accident that totally screwed up my left arm, left me with 4 screws in my elbow and nerve damage. If I ever get in an accident, it could be extra painful for me.
2) I will be spending a lot of time in NYC (bad traffic with wild cab drivers)
3) I have major medical health insurance already
4) NJ is a no fault state

This is what I selected just to get an estimate. My selection costs me $1,181/year. My salesperson in NYC told me it was very high, he plays 300 in the city.
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
- Pedestrian Personal Injury Protection: Basic Coverage
- Loss of Income: Not available
- Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $5,000 per accident
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: $5,000 per accident
- Comprehensive: $500 Deductible
- Collision: $500 Deductible
- Towing & Labor Costs: Not Included
- Rental Reimbursement: Not available

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

well, I recommend the cheapest you can get. I paid like $70 / month for my MC insurance and I am a an ultra high risk driver.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

You getting that Vespa you were talking about a little ways back?

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

and btw, I have a feeling it's the comprehensive that's making it so high. Keep in mind that there's basically no repairing a motorcycle in terms of insurance payouts. It's essentially replacement. Theft coverage can often cause your MC insurance to double or triple.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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You getting that Vespa you were talking about a little ways back?

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Yep. The weather is getting nice, thats what I was waiting for. Stellas are Vespa copies (old school P series style) manufactured by a partnership between the original factory in India and Original Scooters which is the #1 parts supplier for vintage Vespas in the USA. Its essentially a vintage Vespa on Steroids.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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well, I recommend the cheapest you can get. I paid like $70 / month for my MC insurance and I am a an ultra high risk driver.

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ok... what do I trim?

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

well I'm pretty retarded about knowing what i'm actually getting. I basically said "What's the least I'm gonna pay to drive this thing legally?" and went with that. but yeah, try cutting comprehensive if you dare.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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[ QUOTE ]
You getting that Vespa you were talking about a little ways back?

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Yep. The weather is getting nice, thats what I was waiting for. Stellas are Vespa copies (old school P series style) manufactured by a partnership between the original factory in India and Original Scooters which is the #1 parts supplier for vintage Vespas in the USA. Its essentially a vintage Vespa on Steroids.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

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Duh, I need to brush up on my reading of English. You clearly mention all this in your OP. Just looked at the pic. That's an old-school scooter, looks pretty sweet.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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well I'm pretty retarded about knowing what i'm actually getting. I basically said "What's the least I'm gonna pay to drive this thing legally?" and went with that. but yeah, try cutting comprehensive if you dare.

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Comprehensive will be cut. The bike is only 4k after mods, so its not a big loss if something goes wrong.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

I think you can cut the un/under. IIRC, that's just if an un/underinsured motorist does damage to your vehicle. If you're dropping comprehensive, these should go too. Also, if it's only $4k, consider dropping collision as well. Basically, you want liability only.

Edit to add: If you have a loan on this thing, your titleholder will likely make you get comprehensive/collision. It may be more cost effective, since the bike is only $4k to own the bike outright, so you can save on the insurance. Also, this is based on Indiana rules, NY/NJ may (will) be different.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

I'd go with the minimum legal requirement.

Ditch Comprehensive and Collision; they're horrendously expensive. Just take the chance that nothing goes wrong. At $1,181/year you only need to go a couple of years without totaling the thing to be +EV. Gamble!

You're not going to injure anybody who is inside a vehicle so if the Uninsured Motorist part can be reduced, do it.

Your insurance isn't going to give you any $ for pain and suffering if fall off your bike. If you're going down, try to fall against a Mercedes. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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I'd go with the minimum legal requirement.

Ditch Comprehensive and Collision; they're horrendously expensive. Just take the chance that nothing goes wrong. At $1,181/year you only need to go a couple of years without totaling the thing to be +EV. Gamble!

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I echo this.

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You're not going to injure anybody who is inside a vehicle so if the Uninsured Motorist part can be reduced, do it.

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This covers people on his bike, should it get hit by a motorist w/out insurance. In the event that he's at fault, the liability coverage is used.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

At least at State Farm, rates seem to go by engine size. I have a 550cc Suzuki (1983) and I pay about $48/6 months in California. That is for basically the minimum legally required liability insurance. I bought the bike for $1000 so there's no way I need comprehensive coverage. BTW, I'm married, >25 and have a clean recent driving record.

My guess is that since your scooter is probably much smaller (in terms of cc's and in terms of vehicle weight) there is less chance of you causing major damage to someone else's property in the event you are in an accident. Thus, if you only have liability, you might expect to pay even less than I do.

Good luck.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

A couple years back my brother was involved in a chain collision in NYC while he was stopped at a light.

Someone rammed into the car behind him, pushing it into him, and pushing him into the car in front.

A few weeks later my brother received notice that he was being sued by the woman who was behind him. He called the woman's lawyer and asked why she was suing him.

"You're the only who has insurance."

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

i can add a couple things. from what i remember about my insurance, i have the minimum coverage allowed and i pay about $700 a year with state farm for a 1000cc bike. i think state farm has the best rates of the main stream insurance joints.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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"You're the only who has insurance."



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That sucks.

Get the cheapest insurance possible. You're gonna die when you wreck anyways, so there's no point having to pay more while you're alive.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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i can add a couple things. from what i remember about my insurance, i have the minimum coverage allowed and i pay about $700 a year with state farm for a 1000cc bike. i think state farm has the best rates of the main stream insurance joints.

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Thanks ms, your input is important since you live in NJ as I do now.

Thanks to everyone else as well.... I'll give you all a trip report the first time I get on the bike.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

gl - had one once and let it go - I had too many folks I know take a bounce that wasn't their fault but bad drivers that ran into them - not worth it to me -

but it makes sense in NYC, I suppose - I wouldn't use a car in that town - LOL.

I need a convertible - some place I can keep drinks, and keep my skin should grandma not look before turning left -

watch yer hide -

RB

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

What your payting doesnt sound that high to me I doubt reducing your coverage will help that much its not the liability coverage that runs up the tab. I pay 3300 for car insurance in the city with a clean driving record, and was looking into getting a moderatly priced bike and it was gonna add 850 to my bill.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

Make sure you talk to your current ins agency, as mulit-policy discounts usually get you some money cut. As other said, I would go w/ the bare minumum, no comprehensive, no property damage, 2k deductible etc.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

[ QUOTE ]
A couple years back my brother was involved in a chain collision in NYC while he was stopped at a light.

Someone rammed into the car behind him, pushing it into him, and pushing him into the car in front.

A few weeks later my brother received notice that he was being sued by the woman who was behind him. He called the woman's lawyer and asked why she was suing him.

"You're the only who has insurance."

[/ QUOTE ]

Clearly a lie.

Re: Motorcycle Insurance
 

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[ QUOTE ]
i can add a couple things. from what i remember about my insurance, i have the minimum coverage allowed and i pay about $700 a year with state farm for a 1000cc bike. i think state farm has the best rates of the main stream insurance joints.

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Thanks ms, your input is important since you live in NJ as I do now.

Thanks to everyone else as well.... I'll give you all a trip report the first time I get on the bike.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

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ill try to dig up my insurance info to get official numbers if need be. you know of course you need a helmet, right?
btw, are you going to wear your $600 shoes while riding?