What to Know About Insurance Coverage for Motorcycle Accidents in North Carolina

North Carolina motorcyclists should understand that the freedom of riding comes with risks. Do you know how insurance coverage works for motorcycle accidents? Having the right coverage can financially protect you if you’re ever involved in a crash.

Our Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers understand how confusing motorcycle insurance can be, especially compared to regular car insurance. It’s important to know about motorcycle insurance coverage in North Carolina, including what’s required, what’s recommended, and how it all works if you’re in an accident.

What are the minimum insurance requirements for motorcycles in North Carolina?

Motorcycle insurance in North Carolina is mandatory. Just like other vehicle drivers, motorcyclists must carry liability insurance in order to ride on our roads legally. The state requires that you have at least:

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person.
• $60,000 for total bodily injury per accident.
• $25,000 for property damage.

This is called 30/60/25 coverage. It protects other people if you cause a motorcycle accident. If someone is injured or their vehicle is damaged because of your actions, your liability coverage helps pay for their expenses and losses.

North Carolina law only requires liability insurance. However, this coverage doesn’t pay for your own injuries or motorcycle repairs after an accident. Given the high cost of medical bills and repairs, we strongly recommend that you get additional coverage.

What type of motorcycle insurance coverage should I consider?

There’s a variety of insurance coverages from which to choose, including the following.

Collision coverage

If you crash your motorcycle – whether it’s your fault or not – collision coverage helps pay for the repairs or replacement of your bike if it’s totaled. This is important because motorcycles are more likely to be totaled in a crash compared to cars, and even minor accidents can lead to expensive repairs.

Without this coverage, you’d be stuck paying out-of-pocket to fix or replace your motorcycle.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers your motorcycle if it’s stolen, damaged by fire, floods, or vandalism, or hit by an animal (like a deer). Remember, motorcycles are stolen more often than cars, and bad weather/natural disasters can cause costly damage. If your bike is worth a lot of money, this is coverage worth having.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

Unfortunately, not all drivers follow the law. Some have no insurance at all, while others only carry minimum coverage. This is likely not enough to cover your medical bills. If you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, UM/UIM coverage helps pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and repairs to your motorcycle. Here in North Carolina, UM/UIM coverage is required at the same minimum limits as your liability coverage. However, you can – and should – increase the limits to better protect yourself.

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage

MedPay helps cover your medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. It can help pay for emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy. Even with health insurance, you may have high deductibles or copays. MedPay is a great backup plan to help cover out-of-pocket expenses after an accident.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

North Carolina doesn’t require PIP coverage, but some insurers offer it. PIP is similar to MedPay, but it also covers lost wages and childcare expenses (if you’re injured and can’t take care of your children). Since motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries that keep riders out of work, PIP can provide some much-needed financial support.

What’s the difference between motorcycle insurance and car insurance?

There are several differences between the two types of insurance. For example, motorcycles tend to have a higher risk of accidents and severe injuries. Because of this, insurance companies may charge higher premiums as compared to car insurance.

Further, standard motorcycle policies don’t always cover passengers. If you ride with a passenger, make sure you have guest passenger liability coverage.

If you’ve customized your bike, basic insurance won’t cover aftermarket parts. You may need accessory coverage to protect things like custom paint jobs, saddlebags, or upgraded exhaust systems.

How does insurance work if I’m in a Charlotte motorcycle accident?

If you suffer losses in a motorcycle accident, here’s how the insurance process works.

• If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should pay for your injuries and bike repairs. If they don’t have any insurance or don’t have enough coverage, your UM/UIM coverage kicks in.
• If you’re at fault, your liability insurance pays for the other driver’s damages. Your collision coverage would cover your bike repairs, and your MedPay or health insurance would cover your medical bills.
• If it’s a hit-and-run accident, your UM/UIM coverage helps pay for your injuries and damages.

Having the right motorcycle insurance is essential here in North Carolina. The state’s minimum coverage might keep you legal, but it won’t financially protect you if you’re in a serious accident. Our motorcycle accident lawyers recommend that you carry collision and comprehensive coverage, UM/UIM coverage, and MedPay or PIP.

Remember, a motorcycle accident can change your life in a second. Make sure you’re protected before you hit the road. If you have any questions about insurance claims or need help after you were injured in an accident, the team at Price, Petho & Associates is here for you. Ride safe! Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation at one of our Charlotte, Rutherfordton, or Rockingham offices today.