Florida motorcycle riders beware – if you have the mandatory personal injury protection (PIP) coverage required to legally drive your car, you won’t be able to use it if you are in a motorcycle accident in Florida and have sustained injuries. It may sound contradictory, since you can use your PIP benefits if you are a passenger, cyclist or pedestrian hurt in a car accident, but the truth is motorcycles are in a vehicle class all by themselves. To date, Florida motorcycle operators are not required to carry proof of insurance coverage to register their bike. However, they are required to show proof of financial responsibility in case of an accident.
Below we discuss motorcycle insurance coverage options that will not only save you money in the long run but will also help you with your motorcycle accident claim if an accident occurs.
Med Pay
Medical payments coverage (Med Pay) is similar to PIP coverage, but far less comprehensive. Med Pay is a first-party coverage that helps pay for your own medical costs including co-pays, health insurance deductibles, prescriptions and dental care. When purchasing medical payments coverage, discuss with your insurance agent the limits of your coverage as well as the maximum amount you should have to cover yourself for injuries.
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Bodily Injury Liability
Unlike Med Pay which only applies to the operator of the motorcycle, Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law defines the minimum amount of financial responsibility motorcyclists must have if they cause bodily injury to another party or parties, including:
- $10,000 because of bodily injury to, or death of, one person in any one crash
- $20,000 because of bodily injury to, or death of, two or more persons in any one crash
- $10,000 in the event of property damage
UM
If you already own a four-wheel vehicle with uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you can automatically combine that UM coverage with UM motorcycle coverage. This type of “stacking” is automatic under Florida insurance laws but are still subject to the limits set forth by the insurance company. Stacking UM insurance if you own both a car and a motorcycle can be very beneficial if you’re in an accident while on a motorcycle and the negligent party does not have bodily injury liability or is insufficiently insured. Since Florida has one of the highest numbers of uninsured motorists traveling on the road, stacking motorcycle UM coverage with your other vehicle’s UM coverage makes sense.
Contact a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents are often serious, and injuries can turn into lifelong struggles. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident you should contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as quickly as possible. The attorneys at SKG understand your legal rights as a motorcycle operator and can help you navigate the insurance system to help you recover the maximum compensation for damages including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call our firm to request a free case evaluation.
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