fbpx

Ride a Motorcycle in Florida? Then You Need to Understand This about Florida’s Motorcycle Insurance Laws.

Lots of people love riding motorcycles in Florida. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration in 2021 alone, there were 619,079 registered motorcycles in Florida.

Not to mention the fact that every year the Daytona Beach Bike Ride attracts half a million people to the state—most of whom are dedicated riders.

If you are one of the many people who love riding motorcycles in Florida, then you need to understand a few things about Florida’s Motorcycle insurance laws.

Because we may have a lot of motorcycles, but motorcycle accidents are also common throughout Florida.  According to the National Highway Association, Florida has the highest rate of motorcycle-related deaths in the nation.

So understanding how motorcycle insurance works —what it covers and what it does not cover and how it differs from car insurance—is essential if you ride or drive a motorcycle in Florida.

Motorcycle Insurance is Not the Same as Car Insurance

It is plain that riding a motorcycle is more risky than driving a passenger car. Because they are smaller, many drivers never even see a motorcyclist – making accidents more prevalent. Also, because Florida does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets, bikers who do not wear helmets and are involved in an accident may suffer more serious or even fatal injuries.

If you ride a motorcycle in Florida, then you need to understand this: your car insurance will not cover you for a motorcycle accident.

Oftentimes clients believe that their car insurance policy or that of the other driver will cover them in the event of a motorcycle accident.

Not so.

The car insurance or truck insurance you may already have will not transfer over to your motorcycle. This is because the insurance requirements in Florida for motorcycles are different than for those of other vehicles.

Understanding insurance coverage is vital for all drivers, but it is even more critical for bikers. This is because in Florida, motorcyclists have to get separate coverage to protect themselves. Riders in Florida do have to register their bikes with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), of course, but they don’t have to present proof of insurance.

Florida does not require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance for motorcycles.

Plus, the PIP carried by automobile drivers which covers medical bills and lost wages in the event of a car accident, does not apply to motorcycles.

In addition, while many insurance companies offer coverage similar to PIP to motorcyclists, because Florida does not require it, this type of coverage is not regulated by the state.

What this means if you ride a motorcycle is that Florida’s “no-fault” coverage rules do not apply to you. In Florida, “no-fault” law requires owners of vehicles with 4 or more wheels to carry PIP insurance. The PIP insurance pays for their injuries regardless of who was “at-fault” for the accident. For motorcycles, however, “no-fault” insurance does not exist because motorcycles are not required to have PIP coverage.  If your motorcycle is insured only with collision or comprehensive coverage, your medical bills will not be covered.

To recover for your injuries, then, you may have to sue the “at-fault” party or make a claim against your own underinsured/uninsured (UM/UIM) coverage.

If you drive a motorcycle in Florida and were injured in an accident, consult with a motorcycle personal injury attorney to find out how you can get your medical bills covered.

In an Accident? We Are Here to Help.

Our team of personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping those who are injured through the negligence of another. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another, contact us or call the firm at 777-JOHN. Our main office is in Orange Park, but we serve clients throughout Florida. We have consulting offices in Palatka, Middleburg, Keystone, Starke, Gainesville, and Ocala.

There’s Never a Fee Unless We Get Money For You

Menu
Font Resize