Motorcycle Insurance: What You Should Expect From Your Provider

With so many different providers stomping around out there, the already bland topic of motorcycle insurance becomes exponentially more so with every ad we see. You're probably familiar with the variety of endless promotions. They feature abbreviated product names that suggest simplistic freedoms with subtexts so small, you need a microfiche projector to peruse them.

These overly happy, fast-talking wallet grabbers only extend their reach when you, as a rider, approach them with uncertainty about what you're after - namely, protection from the unknown. A meager search for a motorcycle insurance provider shows that even Google is oversaturated with jargon marketing that underhandedly aims to draw your attention to shiny statements. Avoid this nonsense.

Moreover, know that not only do insurance companies have their own rulebook but their individual agents have a personalized approach to it. Believe it or not, this is where the above bitterness finds its sweet. Let me just say that no one hired me to write any of what you're about to read.

When I first approached Allstate, my only motorcycle was a peppy little Yamaha XS400RJ Seca. I compiled a collection of hip-fire facts regarding the bike's year/make/model, its displacement, where I live(d), where I park it and, most importantly, my opinion of its value. For those of you hoping to find a motorcycle insurance provider who bills based on your personal value of a bike, understand that finding such a policy is unlikely but with mindful bookkeeping, you can pursue an alternative solution.

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An experienced rider, one who truly loves his/her motorbike, keeps their receipts. That little Yamaha of mine now has a drilled-out front brake rotor, fork brace, upgraded suspension, matched-paint bikini fairing, smartphone mount, USB ports, bar-end mirrors, heated grips, LED signal and brake bulbs, brand-new petcock, blade fuse panel and custom-built passenger backrest. I'm sure the new owner appreciates all of it. If this bike were ever totaled under my watch, Allstate would pay not only the listed value of the bike but also the full price for each installed upgrade. My point: Keep. Your. Receipts!

Allstate makes it concisely clear what a given rider's options are without any complication or smokescreening. They know (as you now will after reading this) that, through Allstate, a mass-manufactured motorcycle carries coverage only up to the total sum of its Certified Collateral Corporation value. What's more, if the total cost for repairs to said motorcycle is above that amount, the motorcycle insurance provider will "total" the bike and write the customer a check before taking the bike away (stipulated in their liner). This might not be the best option if an owner can make more money selling it or parting it out (selling individual parts to those who require them until the source machine no longer exists in its original form).

As of this post, I'll confidently suggest that Allstate provides more consideration with better pricing than anyone I've previously approached. That doesn't guarantee that you'll get the same deal but odds are good. My history with Allstate is ten years deep, all of which include a bundled automotive and homeowner's package, which then led to discount pricing for motorcycle insurance. Because I'm married, over thirty and have a clear driving record, the cost to insure all four of our moto flock plummets to a very modest sum. The question now is, what happens when I file a claim and the motorcycle insurance provider applies the policy?

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One day, I hit a deer. It sucked. The afterparty goes something like this ...

After making certain that I'm okay, my friend and I scan my 2003 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S with intense focus. The goal is to have a solid concept of the aftermath. I take maybe thirty to forty photos from numerous angles before calling. Of course, they're glad that I'm okay but then it's down to business. I describe what happened, that a deer jumped out in front of me. That really is the truth of it. The article title states that "I hit a deer" but the details make my case. The deer doubled back, crossing my only option to maneuver and that's important. Others in the industry who aren't familiar with you as a customer scrutinize and question wording like this. Always be clear about exactly what happened.

The agent takes note of everything and informs me that they'll be putting the claim into motion. The bike remains rideable so I manage to get home without much difficulty. Parking your beloved sport bike in this condition is pretty heartbreaking. All one can do is wait but in my case, that proves to be more difficult than expected. Luckily, the agent's a patient person. Whenever I call to ask about the repair plan, they pick up right where we left off with new information. It's empowering in some ways because it gives a rider the sense that resolve is on its way.

Now, this entire chain of events isn't without hiccups. It's how Allstate handles these hiccups that I find truly impressive. The agent needs to send out an assessor. The assessor's job is to inspect the damage and estimate the sum of its correction. For being such a big resource, Allstate doesn't quite have a handle on who to assign to motorcycles. They attempt to schedule something but there's concern over the expertise involved. It's a specialty situation that nobody wants to acknowledge. A responsive motorcycle insurance provider can make or break this stage.

We're at a crossroads. Jessica, the agent's counterpart, takes over at the helm. Jessica kind of rocks.

With Allstate, I never get caught up in such entanglements. Jessica maintains her position as my reliable "go to". Not only are they the person who informs me as internal conflicts arise, they remove me from the argumentation of it and do battle for me within the company. Sounds a bit heroic, right? It gets better.

Jessica knows that I'm anxious to get my motorcycle back and that Allstate's temporary inability to make that happen is beginning to upset me. Others would be more patient but I want answers immediately after the incident. So, they coordinate a new plan that allows me to take my motorcycle, which I work on independently, to a dealership for an estimate.

This is where a proactive motorcycle insurance provider earns their keep.

Dealerships overcharge. It's a fact. Yes, a good mechanic is worth the money but you never see the mistakes they make and immediately remedy while working on your bike until they add it to your bill. Still, even the estimate is paid for by Allstate because my policy is for total coverage (take note), so if I take my bike to a dealership they're going to write things up based on brand new parts and hourly mechanic rates. Before I select a dealership to take it to, I already worry they'll total it, forcing me to consider my next bike purchase throughout the ordeal.

I bought my bike for around girble garble. With 15k more miles on it, the estimated total value was about 2/3 that price. This would be Allstate's "totaled" threshold. Off the top of my head I remember replacing the reflectors, plastics, stay, fender, headlight, signals and fasteners but by installing everything myself, I ensured I repaired all unseen damage. The total estimated cost to put my ride back on the road amounts to almost 95% of 2/3 of girble garble.

That means I'm keeping my Bandit! Allstate found the entirety of my wreckage to be below the "totaled" threshold by a mere 5%! I'm fortunate and grateful for their stellar support. Consider that both a thank you and a plug even though, again, no one hired me to write any of this. In short, I finally felt like I had the right motorcycle insurance provider in my corner.

Who's Your Motorcycle Insurance Provider?

Seasoned riders know how important it is to have quality insurance coverage. Which company do you prefer? What do you like them and why? Your input is invited. Leave a comment and/or write an article!