Many motorcycle riders are unaware that motorcycle insurance is required by law in many parts of the world. This blog post will discuss liability coverage and other requirements and provide information on finding motorcycle insurance coverage for your vehicle. We hope this helps you stay safe on the road, wherever that road leads you – domestically or internationally.
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we love motorcycles as much as anyone. While we hope you stay safe at all times, accidents can sometimes happen. If you’re ever hurt on your bike due to someone else’s negligence, we’ll be ready to provide you with the skilled representation you need to have the best possible chance of obtaining fair compensation.
Is Motorcycle Insurance Necessary for Your Travel Plans?
While motorcycle insurance is not required in Florida, it’s always recommended. If you’re taking your own bike to another country, then there’s a good chance you’ll need travel medical insurance as well as other types of coverage. You’ll also want to look into different types of optional coverage that might be available.
Motorcycle accidents can happen at any time and while traveling out of state or even internationally. As a result, many riders choose to purchase coverage for their bikes anyway – just in case something happens.
It would help if you understood that motorcycle insurance often doesn’t provide protection for injuries caused by another vehicle hitting yours.
If you plan to ride in other countries where motorcycles are more common than automobiles, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental motorcycle overseas travel insurance. While some credit card companies offer a certain amount of limited trip interruption/cancellation coverage, this motorcycle insurance product is not always available. It may also have a high deductible.
International Motorcycle Insurance for Visitors to Canada
If you’re an American citizen and planning to visit Canada or another country where motorcycle riding is popular, it’s wise to purchase motorcycle travel insurance.
Canadian medical costs are much higher than in the U.S., so paying for motorcycle bodily injury coverage would be very beneficial should your trip come to an unfortunate end due to someone else’s fault.
Another benefit of purchasing overseas motorcycle travel health insurance before crossing any borders is that it may help avoid delays at the border crossings themselves when trying to enter other countries.
How Can I Buy International Motorcycle Insurance?
There are quite a few options online where you can purchase international motorcycle insurance.
Before you purchase a policy, however, you may want to look into comprehensive coverage when riding overseas. Here are a few options most international travelers will want to consider:
– Life insurance – these policies typically pay out $250,000 or higher when someone dies from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident;
– Health insurance – the higher your coverage, the more it will cost you. However, if you have significant medical problems and depend on transplants or other expensive procedures to stay healthy, then motorcycle travel health insurance may be worth considering;
– Dental care coverage (this is an excellent idea for Canadian citizens who don’t receive free dental care at their local hospitals).
– Theft insurance coverage.
What Happens If I Get Injured While Riding My Motorcycle Overseas?
While traveling in a foreign country, motorcycle accidents can sometimes occur due to factors completely out of your control. For example, you could get into a car versus motorcycle collision with another vehicle that swerves too close or changes lanes without looking. You could fall off your bike while riding on a treacherous mountain road. You could be in an accident with an uninsured motorist and have difficulty obtaining compensation for medical payments.
Whatever the reason, if you’re injured while riding your motorcycle overseas and need medical attention, it’s vital that you have insurance to cover the costs.
Medical evacuation back to your home country can be costly – upwards of $50,000 – so it’s crucial that you have a policy in place that will help pay for this type of expense. Additionally, many health insurers do not cover motorcycle accidents that happen outside of your home country, so it’s important to read the fine print before purchasing any travel health insurance policies.
Suppose you are involved in an accident while driving your motorcycle in another country and are taken to a hospital there. In that case, the chances are good that you will receive treatment from a doctor who is not familiar with your medical history. This could lead to incorrect diagnoses and treatment, which could result in even more expensive bills.
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident while on vacation, it’s important to take the following steps:
– Contact your insurance company as soon as possible;
– Get copies of all medical records and bills related to the accident;
– Keep track of all expenses related to the accident (including transportation, food, and lodging);
– Take pictures of the motorcycle before it’s towed or shipped home;
By doing these things, you’ll be able to provide accurate information to your motorcycle insurance company when filing a claim. It’s also helpful to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to help you through the process.
Motorcycle Insurance for Touring in Europe
Many motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy touring Europe on their motorcycles. There are many motorcycle-friendly countries in the continent – after all, it’s not called “Old World” for nothing!
If you plan to tour through different European countries and take your bike with you, motorcycle insurance that covers international travel is a must. (Traveling by motorcycle within most European nations is considered local riding.)
If you’re planning an extended overseas motorcycle trip, make sure that your policy includes coverage while traveling outside of the United States. The cost will vary depending on where you go; however, worldwide motorcycle insurance can be purchased from $40 per month upwards of several hundred dollars or more each year. You can also purchase motorcycle insurance for a single country if you don’t plan on traveling to many different places.
If your motorcycle is stolen or damaged while overseas, be prepared for the investigation and paperwork process to take much longer than it does in the United States. In some countries, motorcycle accidents are not taken as seriously as they would be here, making things more complicated when trying to file claims. Also, keep in mind that payment methods vary from one country to another – sometimes requiring wire transfers of large sums of money instead of check payments.
When planning an extended motorcycle trip abroad, ensure that there’s adequate coverage through your rider policy before you leave. If you have questions about how worldwide motorcycle travel insurance works or which company provides these types of policies, contact a motorcycle insurance agent for more information.
Tips for Choosing International Motorcycle Insurance
When looking for motorcycle insurance that will cover you while traveling outside of the United States, it’s important to remember a few things:
– Make sure that your policy includes ” worldwide coverage .” This means that your motorcycle will be insured no matter where in the world you are.
– Check the exclusions. Many policies do not cover motorcycle accidents in certain countries or regions (such as Mexico), so make sure you are aware of these before purchasing a policy.
– Know what is and isn’t covered under your policy. For example, many policies do not cover damage to the motorcycle if it’s being transported by boat or airplane.
– Get quotes from different insurers. The cost of motorcycle insurance varies depending on the company, your age, and the type of motorcycle you own.
– Ask your insurance agent questions. If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to ask! An agent should answer any questions you have about a policy before you sign up.
When traveling outside of the United States on your motorcycle, it’s important to have motorcycle insurance that will cover you in case of an accident. By remembering these tips when choosing a policy, you can rest assured that you’re protected while enjoying the open road in Europe or anywhere else in the world.
The attorneys with The Fran Haasch Law Group hope you found this information helpful, and we also hope you have an incredible time wherever you may be traveling. Remember that we’ll always be here for you if something should happen that’s not your fault. Learn more by getting in touch with us at your earliest convenience.
