Why It’s Important to Have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage as a Motorcycle Rider

If you operate a motorcycle in Denver or throughout Colorado, then you must have insurance. Each state is responsible for setting the types and amount of insurance that motorcyclists are required to carry. However, in Colorado, motorcyclists are not required to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Here, we want to discuss why every motorcyclist should consider purchasing underinsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Colorado.

What Insurance is Required for Colorado Motorcyclists?

Just like traditional passenger vehicles, any motorcycle owner or operator in Colorado must also have insurance on the vehicle. In this state, the law requires motorcyclists to carry the following types and minimum amounts of insurance:

• Bodily injury coverage: Minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
• Property damage coverage per incident: Minimum of $15,000

Any other type of motorcycle insurance that could be purchased from various insurance carriers is considered optional. However, when you look at those minimums and when you consider the total losses that occur as a result of some motorcycle accidents that occur, it quickly becomes apparent that the minimums required by law are not always adequate.

Uninsured and Underinsured Insurance for Motorcyclists in Denver

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is incredibly important, regardless of whether or not you own a motorcycle. We strongly encourage any vehicle driver in Colorado to carry these types of coverages.

• Uninsured motorist coverage. When you have this type of coverage, you will be able to turn to your own insurance carrier if the at-fault driver in the accident did not have insurance. Instead of having to rely on filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you can recover compensation from your own insurance carrier. Uninsured coverage is available for both bodily injuries and property damage.
• Underinsured motorist coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you in the event the at-fault driver does not have high enough policy limits to cover all of your expenses after a crash occurs. For example, if you sustain $100,000 worth of medical bills, but the at-fault driver only has $25,000 worth of bodily injury coverage, your underinsured motorist coverage can kick in and pay for the additional bodily injury damages.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is not terribly expensive, and we strongly encourage all vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to carry these types of coverages so that they have protection in the event an accident occurs on the roadways of Denver.

Working With an Attorney After a Crash

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver in Denver, you need to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to conduct a complete investigation into your claim, determine liability, and vigorously negotiate on your behalf for full compensation.

These cases can become incredibly challenging, particularly when working with insurance carriers. If you do not currently have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you have to rely on the insurance carrier of the at fault driver. If you do have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and turn to your personal carrier, please understand that your own insurance carrier may still put up a fight from having to pay out compensation for a claim. Let an attorney get involved and handle the insurance carriers for you.