Motorcyclists, like all other motorists, are required to carry insurance in the event they are involved in an accident or cause one to occur. In the state of Louisiana, a rider is required to carry liability insurance which is used to cover damages and/or injuries you cause in an accident. This can include damage to another vehicle, someone else’s property, or the injuries you cause a driver and/or their passenger to sustain. Liability insurance can also be used to protect a biker in the event they are sued by another driver, although it is unlikely given a motorcyclist “bears the brunt” of the damage in a wreck.
As we mentioned above, the state of LA does require drivers to carry liability coverage and they must have purchased the following minimum limits in order to be in compliance with state laws:
- $10,000 bodily injury per person
- $20,000 bodily injury per incident
- $10,000 property damage per incident
[Source: Esurance].
Now, if you currently own a motorcycle or are in the market to purchase a bike, these are only the minimum limits you must purchase, however, you can raise them higher at your own discretion.
Are motorcyclists required to carry any other type of insurance coverage?
Although bikers do not need to purchase any other types of insurance coverage, there are a few we are sharing with you below that would be beneficial to have in the event you are involved in a wreck.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
This type of insurance will protect your bike from the following:
- Theft
- Damage to your windshield
- Vandalism, riots, explosions, and fire
- Falling trees, branches, limbs and other objects
- Rocks, debris, or other objects kicked up by other vehicles
- Storms, wind, hail, floods, earthquakes, and lightning
- Accidents involving animals
- Your bike getting knocked over
[Source: Progressive Insurance].
Collison Coverage
Collison coverage in another type of coverage that is beneficial to have as it will cover any damage your motorcycle sustains if it were to collide with another vehicle or object, regardless of whose fault it was. Progressive Insurance says that collision insurance also covers you in the event your bike was to overturn.
Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage
This is one type of coverage that is highly recommended to have as you never know when you may engage in an accident with a driver who is only carrying minimum coverage or no coverage at all. This type of insurance is helpful to have as it will “repair or replace your bike up to your policy’s limits.” Any injuries you sustain in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist are also covered when you choose to purchase this type of coverage.
There are a few additional types of coverage you can purchase to protect you and your motorcycle and it is best you contact an insurance agent who can provide details on what these are. Having insurance and enough of it is essential in today’s day and age. There are a significant number of distracted drivers on the road along with those who are driving recklessly which means you are more at risk of engaging in an accident than ever before. And if you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck in Alexandria, LA and sustained severe injuries, while your insurance should be there to provide you with some of the compensation you will need, our LA motorcycle accident attorneys may be able to help you recover more.
To find out what your accident is worth and how our lawyers can help you recoup this amount, simply call The Law Offices of Ross Down at 318-284-8551 to schedule a consultation.
The Downs Law Firm can be reached at:
Bastrop Office
4214 Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA 71203
318-284-8551
Monroe Office
4214 Hwy 165 N.
Monroe, LA 71203
318-284-8551
