Can I Use My Car Insurance for a Motorcycle Crash?

You can’t use car insurance to cover a motorcycle crash if you ride a motorcycle. While you’re allowed to have both policies with the same insurance carrier, the two policies are kept separate. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2019 was over six times greater than the death rate for passenger vehicles. Therefore, your motorcycle insurance should cover bodily injuries and the passengers on your motorcycle.

Your St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer can help if you were seriously injured in an accident on a motorcycle and need to file a claim. Your accident lawyer can help you understand what you can file under your motorcycle insurance and how it affects your auto insurance policy.

What Kind of Motorcycle Insurance is Required in Missouri?

Missouri insurance law requires all motorcycle riders to carry liability and property damage insurance. Liability insurance only covers your financial obligations to others, including bodily injuries to your passengers.

If your motorcycle damaged a vehicle in an accident, your property damage liability policy pays for its repair or replacement.

Missouri has the following insurance coverage limits for all motor vehicles, including motorcycles: 

• $25,000 for one person’s death or bodily injury
• $50,000 if two or more people are killed or injured
• $25,000 for property damage or destruction per accident

The Missouri Department of Insurance also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This policy protects you if an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you. However, it only covers physical injury under the uninsured motorist policy. 

Motorcycle accidents that result in serious injuries can quickly exhaust these limits. If you go over your motorcycle insurance limits, you may pay for additional medical expenses out-of-pocket.

How Does Motorcycle Insurance Affect Auto Insurance?

Determining the rate of a motorcycle insurance policy depends on various factors, including the motorcycle rider’s age, location, years of experience riding a motorcycle, and the type of motorcycle. By insuring motorcyclists, insurance companies assume financial risks on behalf of their customers.

The insurance companies can also consider any previous accident history, including your passenger car. If you are found at fault for an accident, you may see increased costs reflected in your auto policy. Similarly, an at-fault crash with one of your cars can cause an increase in your motorcycle policy rate.

If you want to find out the cost of your motor vehicle insurance and motorcycle insurance policies, speak to a representative of your insurance company about the specific conditions of your policy. Your lawyer can also go over the coverage limitations of your insurance policies to see if they affect your claim.

If I am Not at Fault, Can the Insurance Company Increase My Premiums?

If the insurance company increases your rates in response to a claim, it must inform you about the specific reason for the increase and why your rates are going up. Missouri law prohibits the rise in premiums on an insurance policy after accident claims when you were not at fault.

Contact one of Cofman Townsley’s St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers if you discover that your insurance rate has increased without adequate notice. Your lawyer can look into all the circumstances that may have led to the accident to determine which party is liable.

Your motorcycle accident lawyer can represent you in all negotiations with your insurance company to prove you are not at fault for the accident. Their understanding of insurance law and policy language may enable them to negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf.

Your lawyer can assist you in filing a claim against the negligent party, which will enable you to pursue the type of compensation you are seeking.

Get in Touch with an Experienced Motorcycle Lawyer Today

Missouri’s motorcycle insurance laws may affect your claim and your right to compensation if you are injured in a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle lawyer at Cofman Townsley can go over the specifics of your accident and help you understand your legal options.

We’ve been helping accident victims in Southern Illinois and Missouri for over 40 years. Our legal team is here to defend your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch now for a free consultation.