Motorcyclists must get auto insurance coverage just like any other motorist on the road. This will be extremely important if you get injured in a crash, especially if the other driver has no insurance or flees the scene and cannot be located. Call our motorcycle accident attorneys to learn more. You need to know the details of motorcycle insurance plans in Chicago.
It is often difficult to decide which insurance company to use to purchase motorcycle insurance. While all insurance companies are in the business of making a profit and not paying claims, there are some insurance companies which are more reputable than others. The large nationwide insurance companies who spend millions of dollars on television commercials tend to have the best claim-handling process.
Chances are, if you have never heard of the insurance company, it is likely not a good one. Beyond the company, one should consider the amount of coverage for the policy. The higher the limits, the better coverage afforded. The expression “You get what you paid for” is particularly appropriate when purchasing motorcycle insurance. The cheapest policy is likely to provide the least amount of coverage. Because so many drivers in Chicago have no insurance or the minimum state required insurance of $25,000, a motorcyclist should seriously consider having policy limits in excess of the state minimum.
There are several different provisions in motorcycle car insurance. One is considered “liability only,” which means if they cause an accident, their insurance company will pay for the damages of the other person. “Liability only” does not include payment for damage to their motorcycle. In order to receive money for property damage to their motorcycle in an accident which was caused by them, they need to have full coverage.
Full coverage motorcycle insurance means that any damage to their property will also be covered by their insurance company. “Liability only” covers damage to the other person’s property. It is important to understand the value of their motorcycle before deciding whether to obtain full coverage for liability only.
Minimum responsibility coverage means that they must have at least $25,000 worth of liability insurance. This is the minimum in Chicago. They may have limits above $25,000, and this is highly encouraged. They must have liability insurance to operate their motorcycle, though full coverage is not required under the law. Full coverage means that their insurance company will pay for any damage to their vehicle or motorcycle, though many people will obtain full coverage rather than “liability only.”
There are several versions of a hit-and-run accident. A true hit-and-run accident is one which occurs and no one is able to identify the vehicle which fled the scene. This is different than someone who causes an accident and people obtain the license plate number prior to the car fleeing. In a true hit-and-run case where they cannot identify the at-fault driver, any damages will be covered under their uninsured motorist coverage.
UM coverage means that insurance company will pay for any damages which they may sustain as the results of the hit-and-run driver. If they have liability insurance, it is likely that they have UM coverage as well, and simply because they are injured in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident does not mean that they have no rights of recovery. Their insurance company will step into the shoes of the hit-and-run driver and compensate them under the uninsured motorist provision of their policy.
If someone is involved in an accident on their motorcycle and the at-fault driver flees the scene, there may be ways to identify who was driving the car which fled. We have often obtained surveillance footage which leads to the at-fault driver. However, if there is no ability to locate the hit-and-run driver, then the claim becomes an uninsured motorist action.
A UM claim is paid by their motorcycle insurance if the at-fault vehicle cannot be located. Even if the hit-and-run vehicle is located, it may still have no insurance on it. It is important to speak to a lawyer who has handled hit-and-run accidents in the past. There are many things which should be done to investigate the hit-and-run accidents which are time sensitive. The sooner they speak to a Chicago lawyer about their motorcycle insurance plan, the better chances of obtaining complete compensation.
