Motorcycle insurance is a necessary evil for most riders. It can be expensive, and it’s not always fun to think about, but it’s important to have it in case of an accident. However, there may come a time when you decide that you no longer need motorcycle insurance. Maybe you’re not riding your bike as much as you used to, or perhaps you’ve decided to sell your bike and don’t need the coverage anymore.
In any case, if you want to cancel your motorcycle insurance policy, there are a few things you need to know first. The motorcycle accident attorneys at The Fran Haasch Law Group got you covered.
Motorcycle Insurance in Florida
In Florida, motorcycle insurance is not required by law. However, you will still want to purchase a policy if you plan on riding. The reason for this is that medical bills can add up quickly after an accident, and the costs of replacing or repairing your bike could be more than what it’s worth.
While you’re not legally required to have motorcycle insurance in Florida, if you are involved in an accident and the other driver is at fault, having a policy can help protect your assets.
Reasons to Cancel Your Motorcycle Insurance
There are a few reasons you may want to cancel your motorcycle insurance policy. These include:
- You’ve decided not to ride anymore and have sold your bike.
- You no longer live in the state of Florida, so it’s cheaper for you to get coverage elsewhere.
- Your financial situation has changed (even if this is only temporary), and you need to cut costs and save money.
- You bought a new bike that has full coverage, so it’s cheaper for you to keep the policy on your old one than get another one just yet.
- You were involved in a motorcycle crash, and your insurance premium increased. Because of this price spike, you may run into debt or be unable to continue paying for insurance.
- Your motorcycle insurance provider has increased rates or changed their terms of service in such a way that makes it more costly for you to keep them.
- You’re switching providers because you don’t like how they’ve handled claims, or their customer service has been poor.
Cancellation Rights With Motorcycles
Typically, when people cancel their auto insurance policies, they are subject to cancellation fees. This fee is designed to cover the costs that the insurance company incurs when a policy is canceled, such as the cost of processing the cancellation and refunding any premiums that have already been paid. However, this is not always the case with motorcycle policies.
Many motorcycle insurers will not charge a cancellation fee if you decide to cancel your policy. Some will even refund any premiums that have been paid, as long as the policy has not yet expired. This is because motorcycle policies are seen as being less risky than car policies, and therefore the insurance companies are more willing to forgive cancellations.
Other Options to Consider
Although most motorcycle insurers won’t charge a fee for cancellation, there are still some things to consider before you cancel your policy. For example, if you have financed your bike and still owe money on it, then chances are that the lien holder will require you to keep insurance in place until the loan is paid off. If this is the case, then you will need to maintain your insurance policy until the bike is fully paid off.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you plan on riding again in the future. If so, then it might be better to keep your policy active and lower your coverage limits or drop a few optional coverages from the policy instead of canceling it altogether. This way, you won’t have to worry about any insurance gaps in your coverage, and there will be no lapse between policies when you decide to start riding again.
Pausing Motorcycle Insurance
If you’re not sure you want to cancel your motorbike insurance but still want to save money, you can pause your insurance instead.
Some policies will let you put your coverage on hold for a period of time and then resume once that period ends. It’s important to understand what coverage is available before deciding whether or not this would work best for your needs. If you have any questions, be sure to contact your insurance provider for more information.
Laid-Up Insurance
If you are putting your bike away for a limited amount of time, it might be best to get laid-up insurance. This type of policy covers motorcycles when they are not in use. It is typically used by people who only ride their bikes during the summer months or those who live somewhere where snowfall makes riding impossible for much of the year. It’s also popular among collectors and enthusiasts because it allows them to keep their policy active even if they’re not using the bike right now.
Even if your insurer doesn’t offer “lay-up” coverage, you could approximate this coverage by temporarily suspending your collision coverage or liability coverage with your insurance carrier. Remember, you’ll need to call and place full-coverage back if you plan to start riding again.
Discounts
If you don’t want to cancel your insurance but are looking for ways to save money. There are several ways to save on your motorcycle insurance policy. The first is by getting a multi-policy discount if you already have other types of coverage (like auto or home insurance) with the same provider.
Add Security Features
You may also want to consider adding security features such as an alarm system or a GPS tracking device, which will help keep your premium down.
Safety Courses
Another way to save money is by taking a motorcycle safety course, which can give you up to 15% off your policy if it’s approved for this type of discount.
Shop Around For Quotes
If you’re thinking about canceling because the price has gone up recently or there are other issues with service, try shopping around for quotes from other providers first before making any decisions. If that doesn’t work, then consider canceling your policy and switching to another provider that offers better terms or lower rates.
Canceling Your Policy
Canceling your insurance policy is more than turning off direct debit. If you’re certain that you want to cancel your policy, then the best thing to do is contact your agent or insurance provider and let them know. They will usually be able to cancel your policy over the phone, and you should receive confirmation of the cancellation in writing within a few days. You can also do this online through their website if they offer that service. Most companies will give full refunds within 30 days of purchase so long as no claims have been made on the policy yet, which means there is usually no need to go through an agent.
It is also important to note that canceling an auto insurance policy is different than letting it lapse due to non-payment of premiums. If you simply stop paying premiums on your motorcycle insurance policy, then your policy will not be canceled. Instead, it will simply lapse, and you will no longer be insured. This could lead to some serious consequences if you were to get into an accident while uninsured.
When it comes time to cancel your motorcycle insurance policy, make sure you know what the process entails. Canceling a car policy can be tricky, but canceling a motorcycle policy is usually much simpler. Just be sure to contact your insurer and let them know what you want to do.
How Long Does It Take to Cancel an Insurance Policy?
It can take up to 30 days for your insurance company to process a cancellation request. During this time, you will still be insured and liable for any damages incurred during the time period; after that point, though, all coverage ceases immediately upon receipt of confirmation from your insurer.
Can You Take Insurance Off a Financed Motorcycle?
Motorcycle riders can take insurance off a financed motorcycle, but they won’t own it. If your bike is totaled and the money from your insurer does not cover what you owe, then the lender will expect you to pay out of pocket for the difference. In this case, there’s no way around having insurance on a financed bike unless you want to lose it altogether.
Can You Get a Refund on Motorbike Insurance?
You can get a refund on bike insurance, but it will depend on the policy you have. Typically, if you cancel your policy before it expires, the insurer will give you a prorated refund for premiums paid. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions of your policy so that you know what is and isn’t covered.
Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, consider contacting an accident lawyer. The motorcycle accident lawyers at the Fran Haasch Law Group have committed to protecting motorcycle rider rights. We have years of experience helping riders get the compensation they deserve.
