Motorcycle Insurance in Texas

Serving Cedar Park, Leander, Houston and surrounding areas

Why do you need insurance for your motorcycle?

You'll enjoy being out on the open road even more when you're not worried about the safety of yourself, your passengers or your investment. Here are a few things to consider:

• If you're in an accident or your motorcycle is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or a passenger is injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If your motorcycle is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth.
• Your motorcycle may be one of your most prized possessions. It deserves special protection.

Types of Insurance Coverages

Liability Insurance Coverage

Required by most states, liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that you may cause to other people involved in an accident.
Bodily injury liability - typically covers the other driver or your passenger’s expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Property damage liability - typically covers the expense of repairing damage to others’ property (vehicles, homes, fences, etc.).

Collision Insurance Coverage

Collision insurance covers damage, minus your deductible, to your motorcycle if you are involved in an accident. Keep in mind, collision insurance usually covers the book value of the motorcycle before the loss occurred.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by an event other than a collision, such as fire, theft or vandalism. However, just like collision insurance coverage, your policy will pay for damages, minus your deductible, and will cover only the book value of the motorcycle.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage covers damages to you and your property caused by another driver who either is uninsured or underinsured to cover your damages. This coverage typically pays for medical treatment, lost wages and other damages.

Optional Equipment Coverage

If you decide to customize your motorcycle, you should look into obtaining additional or optional equipment coverage. Most comprehensive and collision insurance coverages will only cover the factory standard parts on your motorcycle.

Things to consider and questions to ask your agent

At Dowd Insurance Agency, we advocate for your specific insurance needs. To help us find the best insurance, here are few things to consider as you prepare to discuss motorcycle insurance options:

• How much can I afford to pay if my motorcycle is in an accident, damaged or stolen? (Ask your agent what your cost savings would be if you raised your deductible.)
• What discounts and programs are available? (Ask about discounts for taking safety classes or having multiple policies. You may also save money if your motorcycle is stored in a garage or if you belong to a motorcycle association.)
• How much medical and liability coverage should I have?
• Does the insurance company have a good reputation for customer service? Is it known for paying claims fairly and promptly?
• What's the process for filing and settling a claim?

 

Tips for the cost-conscious rider

Many factors can play a role in determining what your insurance costs will be such as your age, your driving record, where you live and the type of motorcycle you own, or being a graduate of a rider-training course.

• Many companies offer discounts from 10 to 15 percent on motorcycle insurance for graduates of training courses, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) rider course. Riders under the age of 25, usually considered a higher risk, may see some savings by taking this course. It's also a good idea for cyclists who have already had accidents.
• Maintaining a good driving record with no violations will also help reduce your premiums.
• In many northern states, riders may save money by buying a "lay-up" policy. With a lay-up policy, all coverage except comprehensive is suspended during winter months.
• Find out what discounts your insurance representative offers. Multibike discounts for those insuring more than one bike, organization discounts, if you're a member of a motorcycle association, and mature rider discounts for experienced riders, are just a few possibilities. Discounts can range anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent, depending on the company and your state. Availability and qualifications for discounts vary from company to company and state to state.
• Keep in mind that the type, style (such as a sports bike vs. a cruiser) and age of the motorcycle, as well as the number of miles you drive a year and where you store your bike may also affect how much you pay for your premium.

Call us today at 512-331-0787 or fill out a free online quote now.