Nothing beats summertime in Traverse City. Sun is shining down, warm breeze coming off the bay, and of course cruising around on your motorcycle. Another thing that comes with the warmer weather is more people, which means more traffic on the road.

Unfortunately, all the traffic in town means that accident on your bike is more likely. Being in an accident on your bike is a terrifying fear. We certainly hope nothing happens, but in the event that it does, it can be difficult to know whether or not you’re covered by your insurance policy. Even more difficult is figuring out who ultimately pays for the damage to your bike. In most cases, it’s the insurance company that pays but that is not always the case.

What Happens When You’re in an Accident

If you’re in an accident on your bike, and you have collision coverage on your insurance policy, you’ll be covered. However, the state of Michigan does not require motorcyclists to carry collision coverage on their policy. Collision coverage pays the cost of repairs if you’re in an accident, minus your deductible.

One coverage that you legally have to carry is property protection insurance (PPI). However, this would only cover your bike if it was parked at the time of the accident. PPI is a great, and combined with collision coverage will put you in a safe spot.

It’s also important to note that the Michigan Mini Tort is not available for bike owners. Although it does cover the cost of your deductible if you’re in a motor vehicle accident, it will not cover you if you’re on a bike. This is because Mini Tort only covers “motor vehicles,” and under the No-Fault Law, motorcycles do not fall under the definition of a motor vehicle.

Knowing whether you’re covered in the case of an accident is important to know before it happens, and not after. The best-case scenario is that you’ll never have to use your collision coverage or PPI, but you just never know. With the way traffic flows in Traverse City during the summer months it’s important to make sure that you’re covered, especially if you’re on a bike.

Choose Johnson and Associates Insurance

For over 20 years Johnson and Associates Insurance has been providing an honest and one-on-one type of approach for our insurance planning. Our knowledgeable agents will sure that your policy properly reflects your needs. Our rating system provides a great comparison of the country’s finest insurance agencies. So, you’ll not only get the best coverage, but you’ll get the best rate on motorcycle insurance in Michigan. Call Johnson and Associates today to speak with a real person, not a machine, to see what motorcycle coverage options we can provide for you and your bike.