Very few things are as exciting as hitting the open road on a motorcycle, but it’s important to remember this activity has a few inherent risks. Before you head out for the first time on your new motorcycle, you need to make sure you have the proper insurance. With a solid motorcycle insurance San Diego policy, you can rest assured that some or all of your expenses are going to be taken care of if you’re involved in an accident.
Understanding State Minimum Requirements
The total cost of your insurance policy depends on a wide variety of factors, including the extent of the coverage. In California, motorcycle riders are legally obligated to have liability insurance. If you cause an accident, liability coverage will cover the other party’s expenses, such as medical bills and vehicle repairs. However, liability insurance doesn’t extend to the rider’s expenses, and a basic liability policy won’t cover your own injuries or repair costs. Sticking to the state minimum requirements could end up costing you a huge amount of money if a collision ever occurs.
Expanding Your Coverage
Your premiums are likely to go up if you expand your coverage, but this type of insurance is still very affordable. On average, motorcycle owners in California pay between $55 and $65 a month for their insurance, which is well below the average for traditional auto insurance. For a few dollars more, you can add a wide variety of riders to your insurance policy. Those riders cover very specific risks, and you might benefit from at least a few of them. Some of the most popular riders include guest passenger liability, comprehensive collision coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Determining the Base Cost of Your Insurance
When crafting your policy with an agent, you’ll need to provide some information so the agent can come up with the base cost for your policy. This information includes your age, how many years you’ve been riding, the type of motorcycle you own, your driving history, and how the vehicle is used. All of those different variables must be taken into consideration when the policy is being created. An older rider with a clean driving record and a slower motorcycle is going to pay much less than a young adult with a powerful motorcycle and some tickets on his or her record.
Keeping Your Premiums Low
While a few of those variables are completely out of your control, there are some steps you can take to keep your motorcycle insurance premiums at a reasonable level. Maintaining a clean driving record could end up saving you quite a bit of money in the coming years. You can also invest in a cruiser instead of a sport bike if you don’t want your premiums to skyrocket. Adding safety and security features to your motorcycle could drop your monthly expenses as well, and many of those upgrades are very inexpensive.
If you’re looking for reliable, affordable motorcycle insurance and high-quality customer service, reach out to the friendly agents at Altra Insurance Services. Our experienced team can help you meet all your insurance needs, including homeowners and auto insurance Chula Vista. Call us today at 619-474-6666.