What Does Liability Insurance Cover?

• Damage to property of others: You run a light and hit the side of a car, causing damage to the doors. Liability coverage would pay to repair the door.
• Medical coverage for others: The driver of the other car goes to the emergency room, with injuries requiring medical treatment, including surgery and rehabilitative care. Liability coverage would pay the cost of emergency transport and medical bills.
• Lawsuits arising from an accident: The driver sues you because of the accident. Your liability insurance would pay for the legal defense.

How much your liability insurance covers in each of the above scenarios depends on the limits set for your policy. Read on to understand the importance of adequate motorcycle liability insurance.

Motorcycle Liability Protects You against Financial Loss

The risks of the road are always there, whether you are in a car or on a motorcycle. If you are in an accident and are found to be at fault, you are liable for damages. In the mildest case, this means your motorcycle insurance company pays for damage to another driver’s vehicle to their insurance company.

The worst case scenario is much more important to consider. Even if you never ride recklessly, a moment of inattention that results in another person’s injury or death can result in severe financial consequences. The high costs of property damage, medical payments and/or funeral costs and legal fees can be enough to devastate family finances.

Texas Liability Insurance Requirements for Motorcycles

Currently, up to 20% of Texas drivers on the road at any time are uninsured. In an effort to decrease that number, state lawmakers have set required minimum amounts of liability insurance. So, if you want to drive in this state, you must have liability coverage in at least the following amounts:

• $30,000 bodily injury coverage for one person in an accident

• $60,000 bodily injury coverage total per accident

• $25,000 property damage coverage per accident

How Coverage Affects Helmet Requirements

Texas helmet requirements are not affected by how much automobile insurance you have. They are, however, somewhat affected by your health insurance policy. In short, if you ride a motorcycle (as driver or passenger) you must wear a helmet, unless:

• You are at least 21 years old, AND

• You have either:

• Completed an authorized training and safety course, OR

• You have health insurance in the amount of at least $10,000 to cover any potential injuries you might get while not wearing a helmet.

New Mexico Insurance Requirements for Motorcycles

If you don't post a surety bond, you must buy insurance to be legal on a motorcycle. Not only will insurance protect the other drivers, it will protect you and your assets from getting liquidated in the event of a bad accident.

The minimum liability amounts you must buy are:

• $20,000 for bodily injury or death of one person

• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to or death of two or more people

• $10,000 per accident for property damage

You don’t actually put down those amounts; you pay much less than that. These amounts are how much the insurance will cover you for.

Yet you may need more than this. Uninsured motorist coverage and collision coverage are also available. If you have a loan on your motorcycle, the loan company might require you to get more insurance. Call us to discuss the different types of coverage you may need.

How Coverage Affects Helmet Requirements

Every rider younger than 18 must wear a helmet. Ask your insurance company if they will give you a discount for wearing a helmet, or for taking a safety course.