Driving a motorcycle in California means knowing the laws related to California motorcycle insurance coverage. State law requires California motorcycle drivers to purchase a minimum amount of Motorcycle Insurance. Operating your motorcycle without this coverage could mean facing fines, loss of your motorcycle or financial hardships in the event of an uncovered accident.
History
Driving a motorcycle in California means knowing the laws related to California motorcycle insurance coverage. On November 5, 1996, California voters passed Proposition 213 which required all drivers of vehicles on public roads in California to have at least a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. This became a part of the Civil Code Section 333.4 and affects motorcycle drivers as well. Therefore, California law requires a minimum liability insurance coverage of 15/30. This provides $15,000 to cover bodily injuries, $30,000 for all injuries in one accident, and $5,000.00 for property damages.
Significance
The significance of this law is that driving without proper insurance is breaking the law. This could result in strict penalties that include the potential loss of your driver's license for up to one year, having your vehicle impounded and possibly sold at auction, and fines up to $2,000.00 for riding without insurance. A lack of proper insurance could also mean facing heavy financial, personal, or professional losses in the event of an uncovered accident caused by you or another party.
Types
While 15/30 liability insurance is the minimum required for California Motorcycle drivers, other types of coverage are available for the California motorcyclist. These include collision coverage for damages incurred from getting hit by another vehicle, animal, person, object, or from flipping over and comprehensive coverage that covers damages incurred in other than a collision type incident. Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses expenses incurred from an uninsured driver and under-insured motorist coverage protects you in the event of an accident where the other party has inadequate insurance to pay for your loss or damages.
Considerations
Consider all relevant factors before buying the cheapest or least amount of motorcycle insurance. For instance, does your policy cover a motorcycle passenger in an accident? Does the insurance on a motorcycle loan include liability coverage or just the motorcycle, and collision and comprehensive insurances? An umbrella policy that provides large amounts of coverage's may be a solution depending on your particular financial situation and potential liability. Check rates from various California insurance companies to find the best premium as rates vary according to driving history, age, health and other factors. You can choose to pay a higher deductible for your coverage to lower the premium rates.
Benefits
California motorcycle insurance is to protect you financially in the case of an accident, injury or other problem. The benefits of having the right amount and types of insurance when you need to file a claim could include recovering damages to your motorcycle, getting medical payments, recovering lost wages, or even paying for funeral expenses.
