By “Marketing Guy” Chris Genovese
It’s that wonderful time of year when we’re all excited to be getting out on the roads again, and that means it’s also time to take a look at your insurance coverages. Fun stuff, right?
We get it. Nobody out there ever intends to crash, so it’s difficult to get excited about insurance if you don’t plan to ever use it. Unfortunately, you’re gambling with your well-being when you just go with the minimum required coverages. It’s a risk that I myself accepted for many years, and I feel like I was very lucky. However, the more you ride, the more you realize that chaos on the roads happens to even the best of riders, and all too often to people that you know and ride with. Of course, it can also happen to you.
Backing up a bit, you might wonder why The Kantor Gullo Law Firm puts so much energy and time into talking to riders about their insurance. For us, it’s really a mission, because the number one thing we hear from injured riders is that they wish they knew more about their insurance coverage. So we are compelled to make sure we do our part and share that information, even when folks don’t really want to hear it from us.
Important Fact
In New York State, motorcycle riders are “exempt” from No Fault coverage when they’re involved in a collision. That means we don’t get that kind of coverage when we ride. It’s like the state is saying that, as a rider, you’re taking on too much risk, and it’s kind of your own fault if a negligent driver turns into your path and ruins your day/life.
This is what makes it so critical that YOU invest in the available coverages that protect YOU if/when things go wrong.
Important Fact #2
Many riders find out that this extra coverage does NOT cost as much as you might think. We mostly see folks with decent driving records taking on these extra coverages and paying less per month than what they’d spend on a burger, fries and soda. Of course, your unique personal factors, like your driving record and whether or not you’re “bundled,” for example, will affect these costs.
Recommended Motorcycle Insurance Coverages for New York
Supplemental Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist (SUM). Essential coverage that we need as bikers because (as previously mentioned) No Fault coverage does NOT apply to motorcycle collisions in NY, and most drivers carry the minimum. Max out on this coverage even if it requires you to carry more liability insurance!
Medical Payments. Additional coverage that will help pay for your medical expenses if you are injured while riding. Max out on this to avoid having to rely only on your personal health insurance!
Accessories. If you’ve invested in your motorcycle with aftermarket upgrades, this coverage will pay for those accessories that you’ve added if they are damaged in a collision.
PLEASE NOTE: Since 2023, spouses should be automatically covered in New York State if two are involved in a collision or are otherwise injured while riding! Make sure to confirm this coverage is in place with your insurance company!
Bring your motorcycle policy’s declarations page to any event that The Kantor Gullo Law Firm sponsors, and we’ll be happy to review your policy free of charge!
Every one of us accepts a certain level of risk when we ride, and that risk and the comradery around it lends itself to the lifestyle that we love so much. Let’s all do our part to protect ourselves and make sure we make it home to our families and friends at the end of the day. For our part, we are compelled to share this message. We sincerely hope that you never need to use your insurance, and that you have a great riding season!
But if you or somebody that you know goes down in a collision, Kantor Gullo would love to fight for the justice and recovery that you/they deserve.
