Charlotte Motorcyclist Insurance Attorney

Riding a motorcycle is fun, but trying to figure out which motorcyclist insurance is best for you is not. With so many insurance companies in North Carolina offering motorcycle insurance policies, it can be overwhelming to pinpoint the right one for your needs and budget.

Motorcyclists do not want to be overwhelmed, which is why many of them forgo having insurance altogether. However, doing so is illegal in the state of North Carolina, which requires all motorcycle riders to have minimum insurance coverage.

Interestingly, North Carolina became one of the first states to pass a compulsory insurance law back in 1957.

If you do not have motorcyclist insurance in Charlotte or elsewhere in NC, you risk being penalized, and, above all, you could be held financially responsible for any damages and losses incurred by other parties in the event of an at-fault crash.

Contact our Charlotte motorcycle accident attorney at Brown Moore & Associates, PLLC, to learn more about state-required insurance for motorcyclists in North Carolina.

Am I Required to Have Motorcyclist Insurance in North Carolina?

Yes, you are. The state of North Carolina, like most other states, require motorcyclists to carry at least a minimum amount of insurance.

The minimum motorcycle insurance coverage in North Carolina is as follows:

• $30,000 for bodily injury or death per one person
• $60,000 for bodily injury or death per one accident
• $25,000 for property damage or loss

Compared to other states, the minimum insurance coverage requirements in North Carolina are relatively high. However, if your motorcycle crash involves a catastrophic injury (e.g., a brain injury or spinal cord injury), the compensation could quickly reach those limits.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Work Like Auto Insurance?

Yes, in many ways, it does. Your motorcyclist insurance has a premium that you pay for the coverage. Your policy also has a deductible that you are required to pay before the coverage is activated. So, it works pretty much like the regular car insurance in North Carolina.

For those wondering, “What is a deductible in motorcycle insurance?” a deductible is the amount that the insured motorcyclist must pay before his or her coverage kicks in. For example, let’s say your crash resulted in $1,500 of damages to your motorcycle and your deductible is $300. Your insurer would pay $1,200, and you would pay $300 out of pocket.

The amount of deductible is pre-determined based on your motorcycle insurance policy. The lower the deductible amount, the higher the premium.

The Cost of Motorcycle Insurance in North Carolina

Based on the findings of ValuePenguin, which gathered motorcycle insurance quotes for a 45-year-old male motorcyclist in North Carolina, the cost of motorcycle insurance in our state ranges from $400 to $700 per year.

The cost of motorcycle insurance depends on these factors:

• The motorcyclist’s age
• Driving record
• Motorcycle type
• The amount of deductible and coverage are chosen by the insured
• Approximate annual mileage
• How and where your motorcycle is stored and parked

Does Motorcycle Helmet Use Affect Premium?

In North Carolina, all operators and passengers of various types of motorcycles and mopeds are required to wear a helmet that meets the federal safety standards.

Wearing or not wearing a helmet does not directly impact your motorcycle insurance premium rates. However, helmet use reduces the risk of head trauma by nearly 70 percent and the risk of fatality by 37 percent, according to the CDC.

Meaning, helmet use could potentially help you avoid serious injuries, which, in turn, could prevent you from filing a claim with your insurer (which can affect your premium).

Let our Charlotte motorcyclist insurance attorney at Brown Moore & Associates, PLLC, review your case, and determine your best strategy to recover damages. Call at 704-335-1500 (local) or 800-948-0577 (toll-free) today.