Less than benign side of Motorcycle Insurance in MA

[Karate.Snoopy]

With signs of Spring, the itch to twist the wrist has returned with full ferocity. Along with this itch comes the ever present danger of riding in a sea of distracted cars.
How do you guys hedge your risks pertaining to Motorcycle insurance, apart from crashing obviously.

While looking into this I came across the following article:

http://will.mylanders.com/mc/notes/read.pl?file=57

Most information there seems still relevant.
PIP is the one that stands out and one of the more important things left out of motorcycle insurance.
Are there companies that provide additional/PIP coverage/Extended disability coverage, basically reduce the financial risk in case of a serious injury and inability to return to work (barring death)

[CBR929RE]

I learned firsthand my first summer riding that in MA we have to pay for PIP by law but are denied it's benefits by law. retarded. bought the extra optional medical insurance after that.

[Karate.Snoopy]

I learned firsthand my first summer riding that in MA we have to pay for PIP by law but are denied it's benefits by law. retarded. bought the extra optional medical insurance after that.

Which company did you get the additional coverage from? I will be calling my Insurance agent tomorrow to get this mess sorted out. Too many times we put our faith in these vampires only to learn it the hard way. I believe PIP is compulsory for 4 wheels but not for bikes are they are considered recreational. What a fucking bucket of shit.

[CBR929RE]

Which company did you get the additional coverage from? I will be calling my Insurance agent tomorrow to get this mess sorted out. Too many times we put our faith in these vampires only to learn it the hard way. I believe PIP is compulsory for 4 wheels but not for bikes are they are considered recreational. What a fucking bucket of shit.

well something to keep in mind is this was 2003. not sure if anything has changed since then. It was with Safety but all the info was from my local agent. she even pulled out the book and showed me the law. her suggestion was to sue the state.

[McBiggity]

No PIP for bikes.
Yes, you do pay for it but can not use it for yourself. PIP would come into play if you happened to hit a pedestrian while you were riding. It's cheap. $15/year or so is what I pay.
Medical Payments is the coverage you want on your MC policy. Also known as part 6.

[Karate.Snoopy]

No PIP for bikes.
Medical Payments is the coverage you want on your MC policy. Also known as part 6.

Big thanks for this, I certainly don't have this coverage as of now and shall be getting on the phone promptly to have this slapped on :-)

Do folks also get additional disability coverage as well?

[TheIglu]

What is the general guideline for how much to get on Part 6?

I quoted going from nothing to $25k (max) and it doubled my premium for the year.

[TheIglu]

Also, if PIP can't be used, should I make the deductible for it more than $0?

That would make sense I would guess.

[nhbubba]

"Medical Payments". Isn't that what I pay my health insurance premiums for?

[TheIglu]

You'd think so.....

[nhbubba]

So paying for that "part 6" gives my health insurance company someone else to sue? Cool.

[Lxpony]

Med Pay (Part 6) is the only way to get paid if injuried on your bike. Med Pay covers things that your health insurance does not- like co-pays, Physical Therapy and prescription drugs. These things could add up to BIG MONEY if you are seriously injuried. Even if you break a bone or collar bone, the co-pays are expensive for PT sessions. I work in the insurance industry and carry 5k on all my bikes during the riding season. I have health insurance but the med-pay coverage guarantees NO out of pocket expenses if I am injuried.

I would never ride without MED PAY coverage. Fools economics in my opinin not to have it on your policy.

[TheIglu]

I'll assume $5k is a good amount to use?

[Karate.Snoopy]

I'll assume $5k is a good amount to use?

I just spoke with my agent at Liberty Mutual and had $5k Medical Payments added to my policy, she also told me that it is the max that they could do.
Progressive offers up to 25k.

[TheIglu]

Just changed my Progressive to $5k. Thanks for the info Biggity and Lxpony.

Went up $91 for the whole year. Total, with full payment discount, $475 for 4 bikes, 100/300, $5k part 6, roadside assistance w/travel interruption.

[nhbubba]

That makes a lot more sense. I can relate to the PT expenses..

[McBiggity]

yes, med pay will cover things that you would normally pay out of pocket. You can also have med pay payments issued to you for bills that your health insurance has already paid. "double-dipping" It's legal and in the policy. Med pay will not pay anything that PIP would have paid for. PIP will not pay anything in a mc accident, therefore, Med pay will pay. Doesn't say anything about health insurance.

[Paul_E_D]

I was stunned when med pay paid ME for medical expenses already covered by health insurance. Chaching

[CBR929RE]

also note that in a vehicular accident the hospital goes after the vehicle insurance first. once they get all the money they can out of them they go after your medical insurance.

[Karate.Snoopy]

Good information guys, appreciate it :-)

[imstuner]

Crap I need to look at my insurance coverage now.