Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Motorcycles: What Riders Need to Know

Most riders think about the other driver last. Then a car pulls out of a side street, the driver has no insurance, and the medical bills land on you. Uninsured motorist coverage is the part of a motorcycle policy built for that day, and it is one of the most debated lines on a quote. Here is what it covers, what it does not, and how to decide.

What uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage does

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) applies when an at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) applies when the other driver has insurance, but the limits are too low for your injuries. Many policies sell the two together.

It typically goes toward your medical bills and, depending on your state and policy, lost wages. Some states also offer a property damage version that applies to your bike. Availability and rules vary by state, so check your declarations page instead of assuming.

On a motorcycle this matters more. A rider has no steel cage, so injuries tend to be serious, and medical costs are the real exposure. Plenty of drivers carry only the state minimum, and some carry nothing. A $25,000 limit does not stretch far against a hospital bill.

How much to carry

A common starting point is to match your UM and UIM limits to your own liability limits. Some riders go higher. Ask your agent what the step up costs, because the difference is often small next to the rest of the premium.

Three questions help. How much would a serious injury cost you out of pocket? Does your health plan cover injuries from a motorcycle crash, and what is the deductible? And does your state require insurers to offer UM and UIM, or let you decline it in writing? If you are declining it to save a few dollars a month, make that a decision, not a default.

Uninsured motorist coverage and pay per mile

Riders who log fewer miles sometimes assume they can trim coverage too. The other driver does not care how little you ride. A rider with 800 miles a year can be hit on any one of them.

With pay per mile motorcycle insurance, you pay a base rate plus a small charge for each mile you ride. The savings come from the miles you skip, not from stripping protection. Keep UM and UIM on your policy and let the mileage do the work on price.

If you ride a heavier bike, our page on cruiser insurance covers the basics for that kind of rider.

Before you renew

Pull up your current declarations page. Find the UM and UIM lines, check the limits, and compare them with your liability limits. If they are lower, or missing, ask why. When you want to compare options side by side, get a motorcycle insurance quote at voominsurance.com and try a few limit levels.