Buying a motorcycle? When you get a loan for a new or used motorcycle, everyone seems to know the bank requires you to have collision and comprehensive insurance in the event your motorcycle is damaged or totaled.
Does The Law Require Collision Insurance on a Motorcycle?
Did you know there is no law requiring you to have collision and comprehensive (fire and theft) insurance coverage? Not even if you get a loan to finance the purchase of your motorcycle or car.
So why do you need collision and comprehensive insurance coverage when you get a loan? It’s just the requirement of the bank to protect the money that they loaned you.
Is it Possible to Get a Loan Without Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Coverage?
It can happen. Sometimes people screw up, and sometimes, three people screw up (the bank, the motorcycle dealer & the buyer).
What Happens When You Don’t Have Collision Coverage?
When everyone makes a mistake, you lose. In almost every accident, the motorcycle is a total loss. We recently had two clients who found themselves owing a lot of money for motorcycles they no longer had.
One of our clients relied on the motorcycle dealer to get his insurance coverage, but the dealer only got him liability coverage. The bank apparently didn’t check, and neither did our client. Our client’s motorcycle was totaled in an accident, and he now owes the bank a lot of money.
Another client was told by a motorcycle salesperson he had to get insurance before taking the motorcycle. In front of the salesperson, he downloaded the Progressive app. Because he didn’t see the checkbox for collision and comprehensive, he only purchased the NYS minimum liability coverage. The loan was processed without the bank ever checking. After his motorcycle was totaled in an accident, he now owes $14,000 to the bank.
Types of Coverage in a Motorcycle Insurance Policy
- Liability (pays someone you injured because of your negligence)
- Collision (covers damage to your motorcycle from an accident)
- Comprehensive (covers fire & theft)
- Underinsured/Uninsured (pays you for your injuries when the car has less insurance than you)
- Medical Payments (pays you for medical expenses)
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP which is no-fault for pedestrians you injure)
See our New York Motorcycle Insurance Guide
What Insurance to Get
It’s always good to have collision and comprehensive coverage, but if you borrowed money from a commercial lender to buy your motorcycle, the lender requires it.
But don’t rely on the motorcycle dealer or the bank! Look at the list of coverages you purchased and verify you have collision coverage.
See more reasons in Should You Buy Collision Damage Coverage?
Buy as much Underinsured/Uninsured coverage as the insurance company will sell you (see CagerProtection.com).
Get a free motorcycle insurance coverage consultation from New York’s Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Related Insurance Articles
- Is it No-Fault if I’m on a motorcycle and get hit by a car?
- Should You Buy Motorcycle Insurance from GEICO?
- Can a Motorcycle Injury be Covered When You Didn’t Have Health Insurance?
- Reimbursement for the Reduced Value of Your Motorcycle
- How Much Can a Motorcycle Shop Charge You for Storage Fees?
- Why are motorcyclists excluded from No-Fault coverage?
- What Should I Do About My Motorcycle Insurance during the Winter?
- No-Fault coverage is on my motorcycle policy, right?
- Getting assistance to stay in your home after a disabling motorcycle accident
- How to avoid financial risk when you cause an accident
- What the Possible New Uninsured/Underinsured Law Means to Motorcyclists
Philip L. Franckel, Esq. personally authored this page and all articles on NYMotorcycleAttorneys.com.
You may have met Phil Franckel and Rob Plevy at motorcycle events. Phil and Rob created the motorcycle awareness campaign BE AWARE MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE®. They are Founding Partners of 1-800-HURT-911® New York, well-known in New York for representing motorcyclists. Phil is an Avvo Top Motorcycle Attorney with a 10 Avvo rating, Avvo Motorcycle Client’s Choice award with all 5-star reviews, Avvo Top Motorcycle Accident Contributor, and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Get New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Rob Plevy, Esq. and Phil Franckel, Esq. at the 1-800-HURT-911® Personal Injury Dream Team™ on your side and become a member of our family!
“I endorse these guys 100% they handled my motorcycle accident very well! And they are genuine human beings.”
—Frank Sundancer Perugi
Please take a look at some of our:
We created the popular motorcycle awareness campaign you know and have seen!
No Win — No Fee — No Expenses — Guaranteed!
Think you were at fault or other lawyers said you don’t have a case, please call us!
At HURT911® you can speak, text, or email Rob Plevy, Esq. and Phil Franckel, Esq. whenever you need throughout your case and afterward, days/nights/weekends.
Call days/nights/weekends for a free consultation with no obligation.
Call right now! 1-800-HURT-911 | 1-800-487-8911
Motorcycle Attorney Phil Franckel talks about how motorcycle accidents are different
Philip L. Franckel, Esq. is the author of all articles and content on this website, one of the Personal Injury Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York, well-known for representing motorcyclists. He has a 10 Avvo rating; Avvo Client’s Choice with all 5-star reviews; Avvo Top Contributor; and is a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Franckel created the motorcycle awareness campaign BE AWARE MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE®.
Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.
New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.
Robert Plevy, Esq. is a motorcycle accident lawyer and one of the Personal Injury Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York. Robert began his legal career in 1993 as an Assistant Corporation Counsel defending The City of New York against personal injury lawsuits.
Get the HURT911® Personal Injury Dream Team™ on your side!
Call Attorneys Rob Plevy & Phil Franckel days/nights/weekends for a free consultation
1-800-HURT-911
1-800-487-8911
