What does motorcycle insurance cover?

There's nothing better than hitting the open road on a sunny day while riding your motorcycle. Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to bikes, you may be wondering what motorcycle coverage is and what it covers. Before you hit the road, stick around to learn all you need to know about protecting yourself and your financial investments as a biker.

What is motorcycle insurance?

Motorcycle insurance is a type of auto insurance specifically designed for those who ride motorcycles, taking into account the various hazards bikers face while on the road.

What is considered a motorcycle for insurance purposes?

So, what exactly is considered a motorcycle in the first place? To qualify for motorcycle insurance, you'll need to ride one of the following:

• High-powered sport motorcycle.
• Traditional road bike.
• Motor scooter or moped.

Note that motorcycle insurance does not protect those riding a motor-assisted bicycle.

What does motorcycle insurance include?

In Canada, regardless of whether you drive a car or ride a motorcycle, you are legally required to carry some form of minimum insurance coverage. While mandatory motorcycle insurance coverage and required minimums will vary between provinces, here's a closer look at what you can expect in terms of coverage options:

Third-party liability coverage

Third-party liability, also known as liability car insurance, is a type of insurance policy that is mandatory in all provinces. The purpose of this coverage is to protect policyholders if they get into a vehicle accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to a third party. Should the third party file a claim against you for damage, liability insurance will cover medical costs, legal fees, repairs, and other expenses associated with your settlement.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage is also mandatory in all provinces, except Newfoundland. With accident benefits coverage, you, your passengers, and pedestrians will receive compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and more if you are injured in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault for the collision.

Uninsured automobile coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage is another mandatory motorcycle insurance policy in Canada. With this motorcycle insurance, you'll be protected if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or unidentified driver. Ultimately, you'll receive financial compensation for motorcycle repairs, ensuring you don't need to pay out of pocket.

Direct compensation coverage

Direct compensation - property damage is a motorcycle insurance coverage that is only mandatory for those in Alberta and New Brunswick. If you are in a motorcycle accident that damages your bike, this policy kicks in and allows you to deal directly with your own insurance company rather than the other drivers. The purpose of this insurance policy is to ensure that policyholders are swiftly compensated for damages following a collision by removing the middleman.

Optional coverages for motorcycle riders

Beyond mandatory motorcycle insurance, there are insurance coverages that are available as an add-on to provide further protection while you're out on the road, including:

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive car coverage will compensate you if your motorcycle is damaged by a non-collision event. Common perils included in comprehensive coverage include theft, vandalism, falling objects, fire damage, and severe weather conditions. Note that when filing a claim with your insurance company, you will need to pay a deductible before your provider will cover the rest.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage protects you if you cause damage to your motorcycle during an at-fault collision by covering the cost of repairs or replacements up to your policy limits. Collision car coverage also requires policyholders to pay a deductible before the remaining repair expenses are covered.

Accident forgiveness

One final type of optional car insurance coverage popular among motorcycle riders is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy as an endorsement, to protect your driving record and to help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.

Note: coverage varies by province.

Does motorcycle insurance cover your gear?

Yes, your motorcycle insurance will cover the cost of your gear if it is damaged or stolen. Typically, motorcycle owners can claim damages or losses for gear under their collision or comprehensive insurance. If you do not have this add-on coverage, you may not be covered.

For any clarification about coverage to protect your gear, we recommend speaking with your insurance company for more information.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost?

If you're thinking about buying a motorcycle, you're likely wondering, "How much does motorcycle insurance cost?" Similar to car insurance, the cost of coverage for your bike will vary based on several different factors.

Common factors that an insurance provider will consider include your driving history, your age, what type of motorcycle you have, where you live, the type of motorcycle insurance you want to purchase, and more. When purchasing coverage, we recommend shopping around with different insurers to compare prices and coverage options.

Motorcycle owners should also ask whether they qualify for discounts such as good driver discounts for having a good driving record, being a member of a professional organization, and installing security features on their bikes to save money on their policies.

Year-round or seasonal motorcycle insurance: which one to choose

As most of Canada experiences poor weather conditions for half of the year, most motorcycle owners are unsure whether to purchase year-round or seasonal motorcycle insurance.

First things first, what is seasonal motorcycle insurance? This type of policy only covers your bike for part of the year. Come winter, owners typically lose coverage and store their bikes indoors. While most insurance providers don't offer six-month policies, you may be able to pause or cancel your insurance.

So, what are the risks associated with only having coverage for part of the year? There are a couple of things that could happen:

• Leasing and financing problems: If you leased or financed your motorcycle, cancelling your insurance policy may violate your contract, which could force you to give your bike back to the dealership or face other consequences from your lender.
• Could face insurance fines: Your insurance provider may make you pay cancellation fines for breaking your insurance policy before the end date.
• Damage to your motorcycle: In the event that your bike is damaged or stolen during the winter, you would be responsible for paying any repair or replacement costs out of pocket.
• Trouble buying insurance: Cancelling your policy early will show up on your insurance history, which is available to all insurance companies in Canada. Frequently cancelling your insurance could increase your risk profile and make it difficult for you to purchase coverage in the future.
• You won't be able to ride: Say a nice sunny day comes about during the winter. Without insurance, you won't be able to go out on the road and enjoy it.

As you can see, seasonal coverage isn't always the best option out there. If you are still unsure whether this type of coverage is right for you, we recommend speaking directly with your insurance company or with a broker for more information.

Group motorcycle safety

Group motorcycle safety is essential when you're travelling on the road with other bikers. To make sure you remain safe to and from your destination, here's what you need to keep in mind:

1. Before heading out onto the road, ensure your gas tank is full and perform a visual inspection of your bike to check for any visible issues. You wouldn't want to be left in the dust while your friends travel ahead without you.
2. Ensure that you have the contact information of all group members in case of an emergency.
3. Throughout your journey, take regular breaks to refuel, go to the washroom, and have a snack with the rest of your group.
4. While you're out on the road, keep more experienced riders at the front of your group and allow less experienced riders to follow behind to keep a good flow of traffic.
5. Rather than riding side by side, ensure that riders are staggered as much as possible. This will help keep a safe distance around each rider and reduce the likelihood of you hitting others around you.

Remember, motorcycle safety is key to enjoying your time out on the road with other rider enthusiasts. For more tips, check out our motorcycle riding safety guide!

How can I safely share the road with motorcycles?

Sharing the road with motorcycles can be daunting, especially if you aren't exactly sure how to do so in a vehicle. To ensure you and others on the road remain safe, here is what you need to do:

• Check your blind spots: As motorcycles are smaller than vehicles, it can be difficult to see them while you're in your car. So, always remember to triple-check your blind spots regularly.
• Turn left with caution: Before you switch lanes or turn left, make sure you scan your mirrors, blind spots, and the intersection to confirm no riders or bikers are travelling toward you.
• your eyes on the road:Keep Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in Canada. To ensure you do not hit another motorist or rider, keep your eyes focused on the road and away from your phone and other distractions.
• Give riders space: You'll also want to give motorcycle riders the space they need to travel in front and behind you.
• Follow the rules of the road: Always remember to follow the rules of the road. Don't speed, do your shoulder checks, allow riders to pass if they need and practice other safe driving tips as usual.
• Never pass a motorcycle in the same lane as you: They are legally entitled to their own lane. Just because they are smaller, does not mean you can swerve around and pass them unless you make a legal lane change.

What are the benefits of riding a motorcycle?

Unsure whether riding a motorcycle is right for you? If you're on the fence, you'll be happy to know that there are numerous benefits of motorcycle riding that you may not be aware of. Here are some you may appreciate:

• The thrill of the outdoors: Unlike driving a car, riding a motorcycle offers you a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors in a more thrilling manner.
• Can improve health and wellness: Riding a motorcycle can improve your core and knee strength and positively impact your mental health.
• Customization: Customizing a bike to fit your needs and riding preferences can be a fun activity with numerous tutorials available online for free.
• Meet new people: The motorcycle community across Canada is large! If you want to meet people and travel to new places, owning a motorcycle is a great way to do so.
• It can help you be a better driver: Riding a bike can also make you a better driver in general. Because you'll be learning new skills and be more vulnerable on the road, riding a bike can make you a more defensive driver, making you more aware of the hazards of travelling.

How BrokerLink can help

At BrokerLink, we help motorists find affordable car insurance. With access to multiple auto insurance policies from some of Canada's top insurance providers, our experienced insurance brokers are able to compare coverage options, access discounts, and help you find the right insurance coverage for your driving habits and budget.

But that's not all! Our insurance brokers are experts when it comes to motorcycle insurance. So, whether you need help debunking myths about motorcycle insurance or advice about motorcycle routes around Alberta, know that BrokerLink has your back every step of the way.

[phone]