If you are in the market for a new motorcycle, especially if your are a first time bike owner you will need to also begin figuring out how you will to insure the bike and with which company you might take out a motorcycle insurance policy . While there are some similarity when it comes to choosing the best  motorcycle insurance policy that mirror the kind of considerations a car owner needs to keep in mind when choosing auto insurance owning and riding a motorbike brings with it some unique insurance concerns as well.

There is no big master list of insurance companies that are the best at providing great motorcycle insurance policies. All the big “national” insurance companies now offer motorcycle insurance plans but there are a number of smaller companies that make it their business to specialize in insuring motorcyclists. Which one actually ends up being right for you will depend on a number of different factors and doing the right amount of pre purchase research.

Which are the Best Motorcycle insurance Companies for New Riders?

If will be purchasing your very first  motorcycle you should definitely do your homework and research on motorcycle insurance costs before you begin visiting dealerships or shopping for your new motorcycle in other ways.

A good starting place is to try to connect with who own  similar motorcycles to the one you want to purchase and ask them what motorcycle insurance companies they personally use to insure their bikes. Often when shopping for insurance its common to use the same company your parents do, but even if your parents are motorcyclists the company that provides great coverage for their Harleys may not provide such great rates on the type of Japanese sport bike you have been saving up for for all this time, as the two bikes are so very,very different (and be warned, even the biggest Harley type motorcycles usually cost less to insure than their sportier, sleeker Asian cousins)

If you personally do not know anyone who owns the type of motorcycle you plan to buy head online to the Internet forums. People in these forums are usually very helpful and will be happy to share their knowledge and experiences with you and at least you will have a fairly good starting point for your motorcycle insurance research.

Will I get a Better rate from a Larger Motorcycle Insurance Company?

As previously mentioned all of the major national insurance companies who provide auto insurance (the one with the gecko, the one with the animated pink haired girl etc) now offer motorcycle insurance policies as well, most of which can be combined worth other insurance policies (home, renters, auto) to save you money.

All motorcycle insurance companies will take all of the following  personal factors into account as well as looking at they kind of motorcycle you want to insure when calculating the rate they are willing to offer you:

• Your age (the younger you are, the higher the rate is going to be)
• Your occupation(yes it makes a difference)
• Where you live (your rate will be higher if you live in a urban area than a suburban or rural one)
• Your driving record (even traffic tickets make a difference and the longer you have held a license the better)
• Your credit rating
• Your gender (lady motorcyclists usually get a better rate than the guys)

All companies use these criteria whether they are huge national motorcycle insurance companies or smaller local ones. Although you may be most familiar with the big guys do not forget to check out the rates offered by those smaller companies, especially if they specialize in motorcycle insurance only.

Which are the Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies for those on a Tight Budget?

If your finances are tight, which is the case for so many of us these days , it does not mean you cannot afford adequate insurance for the motorcycle you love so much. Settling for state minimum basic coverage will save you a lot of money but it will not replace or repair your bike in the event of an accident, just the other guy’s.

Fortunately there are a number of different ways you can save on motorcycle insurance and you should keep them in mind when shopping around the various motorcycle insurance companies.

The very best way to reduce your annual or monthly motorcycle premium is to opt for a higher deductible. Yes, you are taking a bit of a chance in that you will have to find money out of your own pocket if your bike is damaged in an accident or is stolen, but it is a way to save, on average, about 30% on the cost of keeping your motorcycle insured.

You may also be able to get a good discount on your motorcycle insurance premium if you are a member of a motorcycle owners group or organization such as the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, American Motorcycle Association, or Harley Owners Group. When comparing motorcycle insurance companies ask each one if they offer such a discount.

To save even more money on your motorcycle insurance make sure you are not paying for thins you really have no use for. For example, if you already have a decent stealth insurance policy there is no need for you to pat for medical accident insurance on your motorcycle insurance policy because you already have coverage in that area. You may also not need to take passenger insurance if you never intend to have (although in some states that is mandatory)

In the end the best motorcycle insurance company for you depends upon who offers you the best coverage for the most reasonable rates and also one that has good reputation for customer service, something that seems fairly unimportant until you actually need to make a claim, at which point it often becomes the most important thing.

“Guest contribution provided by
Cheap Insurance 1-2-3″

Motorcycle enthusiasts are a hardy lot.  While pursuing their favorite pastime gliding down a mountain road at early dawn or cruising along the highway near dusk, the inescapable fact of life is that they are more prone to having an accident than a car driver by a factor of 2 to 1.  Although these accidents are more often than not caused by a car driver’s inability to notice them, many motorcyclists unfortunately fall victim to poor road conditions.  Oil spills, puddles, gravel, and potholes are just a few of the hazards that must be avoided to enjoy a safe ride.

For all of the above reasons, finding affordable motorcycle insurance can be a daunting task, but there is one more factor that also influences premium levels – a driver’s location, and if that driver’s location is continually in the eye of a hurricane or tornado, then finding cheaper insurance premiums can be all the more difficult.

The initial estimates of the damages wrought by Hurricane Irene are coming in at roughly $12 billion.  The insurance industry will pay out claims in the neighborhood of 50% of this amount, and these losses will affect future premium calculations for all types of property coverages.  Motorcycle insurance is very similar to auto insurance in how agents design various peril coverage, deductibles, and exclusions, and one fact that is often overlooked about the insured losses during the year of Katrina is that over 700,000 cars were destroyed during that year’s storms nationwide.

Hurricane season traditionally begins after May each year, and then continues through November.  The ability to predict the creation of destructive storms and their eventual paths has increased geometrically over the past few decades.  However, computer models are not nearly as accurate when they attempt to predict hurricane intensity.  Even after accepting these limitations, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has already warned that an above-normal hurricane season will occur this year.  There may be as many as ten serious hurricanes forming this season over the Atlantic Ocean.

If you live in an area that has a high probability for hurricane damage, then you can expect to see insurance policy rates increase.  However, finding inexpensive motorcycle coverage is very much like finding cheap auto insurance rates.  There are several websites that provide safety tips on how to prepare for potentially bad storms that may severely damage your home, car, boat, or bike.  Unfortunately, you cannot control the weather or affect its potential for damage to your property, but if your goal is to lower the cost of insurance, then these tips may help you achieve that objective:

• First, familiarize yourself with the details of your present policy.  You may find that you do not have the coverage that you thought you did.  Review the fine print for perils covered and specific exclusions.  Once informed, define your needs and obtain quotes from a number of sources.  Be especially tuned into where all discounts are available.  If you stay with one insurer, you will most likely qualify for multi-peril discounts if you also insure other property items with them.  Be sure to ask each potential insurance partner what specific discounts that they might provide based on your specific circumstances;
• Your driving record is already behind you, but many insurance companies offer discounts if you have taken an approved course in motorcycle safety.  Improving your skills is good for your own peace of mind, but you may also save a few dollars in the process;
• Are you a member of an organized motorcycle group like the American Motorcyclist Association?  Many insurance companies also offer discounts for various groups that promote safety while on the road;
• One rule of property insurance is that the more expensive the item to be covered, the more expensive the insurance.  If you are considering buying a model on the high end of the cost spectrum, expect to pay more regardless of what you do to limit the monthly premium.  If you have a loan on your bike, you can also be sure that your lender will want more than adequate coverage to protect his collateral;
• Lastly, you can always experiment with deductibles and various coverage options.  Since most motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers, be sure that you have uninsured motorist coverage.  Your state will most likely require a minimum of bodily and injury coverage, but deductibles and collision and comprehensive coverage are areas worthy of review.  However, remember that any losses not covered will be your responsibility.

Motorcycle insurance rates are based on your driving record, the value of your bike, and where you live.  If you live in a hurricane area, premiums will be higher, but by following these tips and comparison-shopping, you can arrive at something affordable.

Finding a  good deal on a good motorcycle insurance policy can be quite a difficult task. Even with today’s “fifteen minutes or less” quick and easy Internet quotes, motorcycle insurance rates for any motorcycle can vary by hundreds of dollars a year from company to company but also by which elements a rider chooses to incorporate into the motorcycle insurance policy they eventually buy.

To make a decision that makes financial sense but still gives you adequate coverage , it is very important you understand the basic types of motorcycle insurance coverage as well as how you can save money on the policy you eventually choose to purchase.

Liability and Property Damage Motorcycle Insurance

Almost all the states in the US mandate that motorcyclists carry liability and property damage as the minimum motorcycle insurance allowed. Liability insurance is also sometimes referred to as bodily injury insurance and it basically means that if it were to be determined that an accident involving the injury of another person was your fault then your insurance will cover their related medical expenses/provide damages. The property damage element relates to any damage caused to someone else’s personal property (their bike, their car etc.) in an accident that it is determined was your fault.

Most people who own their own bike may be perfectly happy with this minimum coverage but if you are leasing or financing your motorcycle it is very rare that your lender would find this low level of coverage unacceptable, one of the reasons why it essential that you find out from your lender exactly how much coverage they expect you to carry on the motorbike that they are providing you with the finance for.

Collision and Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance

If you have a leased or financed bike, a brand new bike or a more expensive bike collision and comprehensive motorcycle insurance are elements you may need – and should certainly consider – adding to the basic motorcycle insurance policy described above, Comprehensive motorcycle insurance covers you in the event that your motorcycle is damaged by fire, flood or vandalism or if it is stolen. Many people who choose to take a state maximum insurance policy do not realize that such a policy does not cover them for these kinds of eventual ties and get a nasty surprise when something does go wrong.

Collision insurance covers your bike for the cost of repairing damages it picks up in an accident, something that once again the state minimum coverage does not, that kind of basic coverage only covers damage to the other party’s motorcycle.

Both comprehensive and collision insurance come with a deductible attached to them. A deductible is a certain amount of money you agree you will be responsible for paying before your insurance coverage kicks in and that amount can be as low as $50 or as much as several hundred dollars. Usually the higher the deductible you agree to the lower your monthly premiums will be.

Another thing that some riders who do pay extra money on their motorcycle insurance policy for comprehensive and/or collision insurance is that when it comes to replacing damaged parts your insurance company will only cover factory standard items. For example if you chose to install  a new Yoshimura racing pipe onto your Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle to improve its performance if that pipe is damaged a replacement will not be covered under the usual collision or comprehensive coverage most motorcycle insurance companies provide. If you do like to customize your bike (or bikes) a lot you can purchase specialist insurance that will cover the higher end parts in the event of accident or theft.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Another important motorcycle insurance coverage type that you should consider taking is uninsured motorist coverage. Unfortunately there are a lot of insured car drivers and motorcyclists on the roads and if you are involved in an accident that is the fault of such a motorist obviously they have no insurance coverage to cover any of your costs and you may be left thousands of dollars out of pocket through no fault of your own. By paying a little extra for uninsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle insurance policy you will have the piece of mind of knowing that if you are unlucky enough to encounter an uninsured motorist in an accident your own insurance policy will cover both your own medical expenses and any damages to your motorcycle.

Money Saving Tips

There are ways you can secure yourself a motorcycle insurance policy that provides good coverage and still save money on your monthly premiums. Here are a few tips for doing just that:

Take a Higher Deductible

If you have weighed up all the pros and cons and have decided that purchasing both comprehensive and collision coverage for your motorcycle is the best course of action for you it still may come as quite a nasty shock when you get your monthly premium quote, especially if you ride a high end sport bike. The single easiest and most effective way to lower that monthly premium rate is to agree to a higher deductible. Taking a higher deductible can shave as much as 30% off the actual dollar figure attached to your monthly payment.

Claim all Your Discounts

Most motorcycle insurance companies offer discounts for certain things but it may be up to you to make sure you are getting all the discounts you might be entitled to. Common motorcycle insurance discounts include:

• Not having had an accident in 3 years
• Not having had a moving violation in 3 years
• Being a motorcyclist over the age of 50
• Riding a motorcycle equipped with anti lock breaks
• Riding  motorcycle equipped with an anti theft device
• Low annual mileage
• Completing a defensive riding course
• Completing a motorcycle safety course

Combine All Your Insurance Policies

You can save quite a lot of money of you combine all of your insurance policies and take them all out with the same company. If you combine your motorcycle insurance with your car, homeowners, renter and/or life insurance policies many companies offer a good discount on them all. It is also far easier to keep track of them all as well!

If you are convicted of a DUI it is indeed going to impact your ability to secure the best rates on insurance as a driver or a motorcyclist. A DUI does not make you uninsurable but for a few years at least it will mean that insurance companies will see you as a higher risk and set your rates accordingly.

DUI and Motorcycle Insurance Basics

There is a common misconception held by some that if you receive a DUI while driving a car it will have no bearing on your motorcycle insurance rates as they are different types of vehicles with a different licensing test and operate in completely different ways. This is not the case.
A DUI conviction applies to you as a person, not to the type of vehicle you choose to get around in. that means whether you drive a car, a truck, a motorcycle or even a moped the DUI will affect your insurance rates as the insurance companies do not make that kind of vehicle specific consideration (they would still charge you a higher rate after a recent DUI if you had a spaceship!)
When you apply for a motorcycle insurance policy your general driving record is accessed by the insurance company and your DUI will show up to them. If it is a black mark from years ago and you have had a good clean driving history ever since many insurance companies will not hold it against you, assuming based on your history that you made a mistake and have taken the right steps to become a safer driver. Often those convicted of a DUI are mandated to attend safety courses, and the completion of these will show up on your record and count in your favor. Therefore even if a DUI conviction does not come with that kind of condition attached voluntarily taking one of these courses will go a long way towards minimizing the impact a DUI will have on your insurance rates, both for motorcycle insurance and auto insurance.
The Impact of a DUI on an Existing Motorcycle Insurance Policy

The impact a DUI has on a new motorcycle insurance policy is one thing, but what will happen if you have a motorcycle insurance policy in effect and are convicted of a DUI?
One thing you will probably need help from your insurance company is the filing of an SR 22 information form. An SR-22 is a document that shows proof of financial responsibility. You’ll need an SR-22 if the police catch you driving (technically riding if you a motorcyclist) under the influence, driving with a suspended license or driving without insurance.
You will usually be required to carry the SR-22 for a certain amount of time (usually two to three years). Once you have properly fulfill that time period with no more blemishes (including too many tickets for minor violations) your SR-22 status expires and that is when your motorcycle insurance rates, which will certainly be raised right after your DUI, should start to go back down. The initial form has to come form your insurance carrier and in most cases they will file it for you and just send you a copy to keep on hand. You should check though as although most insurance companies do file the SR 22 for you that is not always the case and you may have to do the legwork yourself.
Tips for Overcoming the Motorcycle Insurance Rate Impact of a DUI

As mentioned, whether you are buying a new motorcycle insurance or have one in effect a DUI is going to impact the cost and flexibility of your policy for some time. There are some steps you should take though to make sure that you give yourself the best possible chance to minimize that impact. Here are some tips:

• Take Classes: Many times driver education and safer driving/riding courses are mandated by a court issuing a DUI conviction but even if they are not it will look very favorable on your record if you complete some.
• Avoid Tickets; Many people are motorcyclists and car drivers. Tickets issued against either type of vehicle will count against you when it comes to motorcycle insurance and if you already have a DUI on your record you really do not need any more black marks. So that means you need to be especially careful about speed limits, where you park and even the condition of your vehicles as a broken tail light is a ticket as well!
• Downgrade your Bike – If you have a DUI on your record and you also ride and own a powerful, zippy sport bike you may want to consider garaging it for a while and swapping to a different bike unless you are willing to pay very high motorcycle insurance premiums. Sporty biles already cost more to insure than any other kind and if you have DUI as well that figure is likely to double or even triple.
• Add safety Features to Your Bike – Just like auto insurance your motorcycle insurance policy rates can usually be reduced if you have certain security and safety measures implemented on your bike. While motorbikes cannot really be equipped with air bags but they can have security alarms and many manufacturers are offering other safety features like on-board camera for better rear views and additional lights for better visibility.

Check out what can happen when you drink and ride:

These days it is as easy to buy a motorcycle insurance policy on-line in just a few minutes as it is to buy auto insurance. Fifteen minutes or less is the famous ad slogan and it is indeed possible to buy motorcycle insurance and have the right proof in your hand in as about much time as it takes to drink a large cup of coffee. All very convenient but often that convenience can mean you are missing out on a better deal.

What do Motorcycle Insurance Brokers Do For You?
It is important that you understand the difference between a motorcycle insurance agent and a motorcycle insurance broker. An agent works for as an independent. He or she makes a living from the commission they earn on selling a policy, no matter which company it happens to come from. For the most part in terms of dollar amounts the commissions paid by different insurance companies are very similar so there is usually little reason for a good motorcycle insurance broker to show a particular bias to one company and concentrates instead on developing a good client base by providing a great service, especially since much of a successful motorcycle insurance broker’s business comes from referrals.
Specialist Product Knowledge
One of the biggest advantages to working with a motorcycle insurance broker is that they haver specialized product knowledge. They know the ins and outs of all the policy offerings and know which policies are best suited to certain common situations. You could try to that yourself but it would mean hours and hours on-line shopping around. And in fact sometimes a motorcycle insurance broker knows of a company – often a smaller, local company – that offers something the well known national names, the ones that you are likely to research, better. If you are a bit of a ‘problem” motorcyclist – you have a point or two on your license, or have never owned a motorcycle before – a motorcycle insurance broker can help you get a deal that you may have been turned down for or not offered on line because those systems are so generalized.
In addition insurance companies actually change their policy offerings quite often but do not necessarily over publicize that fact. If you have a motorcycle insurance broker in your corner they will usually make you are aware of any savings opportunities that come up along the way whereas if you buy motorcycle insurance on-line its is usually very much ‘pay for it every month and forget about it” thing. If you work with a motorcycle insurance broker they will initiate regular coverage reviews to make sure that the insurance coverage you have is still the best option for you.
Extra Help at Claim Time
Possibly where a motorcycle insurance broker can be most helpful to a motorcyclist is if and when you actually have to make a claim. For all that you see in adverts about concierge claims service and great telephone customer service there is nothing quite like having a specific person – and a specific person you know – who is there to handle your claim. Motorcycle insurance claims – like any kind of insurance claim – can get rather complicated and occasionally even a little contentious – and having a broker their to mediate on your behalf can make everything flow a lot quicker and far more smoothly. The broker is essentially working for you but they usually have good solid relationships with staff at the insurance claims centers so they can help mediate a quicker claims resolution.
How do You Choose the Right Motorcycle Insurance Broker?
The first step in choosing the best motorcycle insurance broker is to ask all of your friends, family, colleagues who they use and if they’ve had a good experience with that broker’s services. A lot of people, once they have found a great insurance broker work with them for years and it is not too unusual for an experienced motorcycle insurance broker to work with several generations of the same family, simply because they provide such great service all the time, even if they never have to actually handle a claim.
If your friends and family cannot help you (not everyone rides after all) then you can try checking with your local Better Business Bureau, as a positive report there is usually a good sign.
With the huge popularity of Internet social media sites you can also check there. If a certain motorcycle insurance broker has a number of good reviews on Google Places, or positive comments on their Facebook accounts they can serve as good recommendations too.
You should also ‘interview” the motorcycle insurance broker you are considering, at least over the telephone. Ask about their office hours (important if you have a claim) how long they have been in business and how long they have worked in your community. Motorcycle insurance rates can be affected by the neighborhood you live in so an experienced local agent often has a better idea of which insurance companies weigh this factor more heavily than others. And then of course there is the likability factor – its hard to work in any capacity with someone whose personality does not match your own and the best client/broker relationships are long term ones.

You want to protect yourself just in-case something like this happens!