THE WISDOM
to do what’s right for clients. The courage to battle for the best results.
Photo of George C. Kezemides

Is Florida motorcycle insurance worth the cost?

On Behalf of | Mar 18, 2022 | Auto Accidents

Florida state law mandates liability and no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage for those with four-wheeled motor vehicles. Driving or riding in motor vehicles puts an individual at risk, and insurance helps protect against financial devastation if a crash occurs.

People with four-wheeled motor vehicles in Florida will need to provide proof of insurance to register their vehicles. However, motorcyclists do not need proof of insurance to register their motorcycles or ride legally on the Florida roads. All they need is proof of financial responsibility in the event that they ever get into a crash, which means having at least $10,000 in medical coverage in case they crash.

Many motorcycle riders forgo insurance coverage, likely assuming that they won’t be the one at fault for a collision. However, riders may find that carrying motorcycle insurance is an important protection.

A simple mistake could lead to people blaming you

Although you and the other driver both know that they were the one to cross the lane divider and hit your bike, there is no proof of what really happened. If they lie about what occurred and try to blame you, a police officer could potentially side with them.

You can find yourself declared the responsible party for the crash and cited for a collision that destroyed your bike and left you with significant injuries. Not only are you not in a position to make a claim against that driver’s insurance, but they could try to hold you responsible for any losses they suffer in the collision.

Of course, the other driver should have their own PIP coverage that pays for their injuries and lost wages, and the crash is unlikely to lead to massive injuries for the vehicle occupants. The difference in size between four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles usually means the motorcyclists suffer the worst injuries in these crashes.

There could be significant property damage, however, which you may have to pay for out-of-pocket if you don’t have an active liability insurance policy. It is also possible that you could injure someone, especially if you have a collision involving a pedestrian or someone on a bicycle.