Negotiate a Motorcycle Claim
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Just because you have motorcycle insurance does not mean that your insurance company will accept your claim. You need to keep yourself informed in order to maximize your recovery after you are involved in an accident. Just as motorcyclists have to qualify for a different license, so too do they have insurance that differs from your average automobile insurance. Most insurance companies that offer car insurance also offer motorcycle insurance. Coverage can include things like bodily injury that you sustained or someone else sustained, injury as a result of a motorists who was uninsured or under insured, compensation for theft, vandalism or other incidents that can damage your motorcycle and also coverage for damaged side cars if the motorcycle has that. Each motorcycle policy is different.
You may have to pay more to be insured if you have a poor driving record. The more accidents that you have on your record, the more expensive your premiums will be because you pose a higher risk for liability. The cost of motorcycle insurance will also differ depending on where you live. Cities and rural towns, for example, will likely differ when it comes to the cost of insurance. This is because there is a statistically higher likelihood of being involved in an accident in some places over others. Your motorcycle isn’t just a means for transportation; it is likely your hobby as well. When it is damaged or you sustain injuries while riding it, you want to make sure that you are covered.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
The claims process is nearly the same for motorcycles as it is for any other type of vehicle involved in an accident. Regardless of who caused the accident, you will have to promptly report the accident to your insurer. You will then be assigned to a claims adjuster who will evaluate the accident, gain more information from both you and the other driver and assess your policy. Say for example that your motorcycle was vandalized. You walk out to the place where you parked it only to find that it has been significantly scratched up. If the policy that you have been paying for does not include vandalism insurance, then you will likely be left paying out of pocket for this type of damage. Let’s look at another scenario. Say you are driving down the highway when an unassuming driver side-swipes you.
Provided that you are a faithful policy holder, have been paying your premiums and you reported the accident on time then you should be entitled to compensation to cover your medical costs as well as the cost of damages that your bike sustained. Your claims adjuster will evaluate your policy, evaluate the accident and then offer you a settlement. By understanding your policy fully, you can make a determination of whether or not the settlement is enough to cover the cost of damages. Keep a full record of all medical bills and other expenses that you incurred as a result of the accident. If you are partially at fault, then you may be able to collect up to the amount that the other party was liable.
Contesting Your Settlement Offer
Know that the first settlement offer that your insurance company gives you is not something that you have to take. If you believe that you are entitled to more, then you are legally able to negotiate your claim. Take special care to note what is provided in your policy, ask your insurer the reasons for the amount that they offered and make sure to keep record of all expenses that resulted from the accident. This information can be presented in a letter to your insurance company so that your claim can be reevaluated. Our Personal Injury Attorneys can help you negotiate your claim so that you maximize your recovery!
