Some motorcyclists buy a bike without realizing the full extent of the financial obligations they face. Often people who already have auto insurance will ask whether they need Maryland motorcycle insurance in Maryland.
The answer is yes. Maryland law requires bikers to carry the minimum level of liability insurance. An experienced Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with a claim. Motorcycle insurance is comparable with car insurance in most states and Maryland is no exception. People who fail to take out motorcycle insurance in Maryland face fines.
For a free case evaluation with our Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.
What Are the Minimum Requirements for Motorcycle Insurance in Maryland?
The minimum requirements for motorcycle insurance in Maryland are set out by the Motor Vehicle Administration. the MVA states that all vehicles in Maryland must be insured at all times by an insurance company licensed in Maryland. Your vehicle insurance must cover, at an absolute minimum, $30,000 for bodily injury, $60,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage.
Motorcycles are defined as any 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled vehicle with engines larger than 70 ccs.
Which Companies Provide Maryland Motorcycle Insurance?
Most Insurers that offer car insurance policies also provide motorcycle insurance policies. Major insurers that offer motorcycle insurance in Maryland include Nationwide, GEICO, Progressive, and Dairyland.
How Much Will Bikers Pay for Maryland Motorcycle Insurance?
A study on ValuePenguin gathered information from 37 cities and counties in Maryland. the lowest annual rate was in Thurmont, where riders can expect to pay $406 a year on average.
The highest rate was in Baltimore, where the average motorcycle insurance rate is about $937 a year. the sheer size of Baltimore and the more congested roads mean riders are more likely to crash. the state average for Maryland motorcycle insurance is $529 a year.
The quotes were based on a 45-year-old male who was married and completed a motorcycle training course. the motorcyclist had a clean driving record.
The policy quoted included bodily injury protection of $100,000 per person/$ 300,000 per accident as well as $50,000 in property damage coverage.
The deductibles for both collision and comprehensive coverage were $500. the study found that GEICO offered the cheapest policies.
Factors That Affect Maryland Motorcycle Insurance Costs
Many of the factors that affect your Maryland motorcycle insurance rates are similar to those that affect automobiles. the location and the driver’s history are pertinent.
The type of bike you own will also impact the insurance premium you pay in Maryland. Slower, safer types of motorcycles are cheaper to insure than fast sports or racing bikes.
Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Required for Maryland Motorcycle Insurance
Personal injury protection (PIP) is a component of car insurance policies in Maryland. it provides additional coverage on a no-fault basis, giving the insured driver first-party coverage for lost income and medical expenses caused by an accident regardless of fault. Maryland automobile insurance policies must offer at least $2,500 of personal injury protection coverage.
PIP is not required under Maryland law but car insurance policies offer it. People who do not want PIP must opt out of it by signing a waiver.
PIP is a great coverage to take out because it allows you to recover twice for your medical bills and lost wages if you get hurt in a car crash.
Riders should be aware that Maryland law allows car insurance companies to deny personal injury protection to motorcyclists. Almost no motorcycle policy in Maryland has personal injury protection benefits included.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Maryland, you will likely receive less coverage than car drivers. This is an unfair situation. Motorcyclists are much more likely to be injured in an accident than car drivers, and their injuries are often more serious.
Although motorcycle insurance policies in Maryland are unlikely to contain Personal Injury Protection, you should ask about this insurance. PIP is more important on two wheels than on four. This coverage is relatively cheap and can give you lots of additional protection. It is worth shopping around for a motorcycle insurance company that offers PIP.
What Are the Fines and Penalties for Driving Without Maryland Motorcycle Insurance?
Driving without motorcycle insurance or car insurance in Maryland is a serious matter. You may lose your vehicle and your right to drive and face a large fine. Drivers on the roads with no insurance can face several consequences. First, a $150 fine can be assessed for the first 30 days and $7 for each additional day, up to a yearly maximum of $2500 per vehicle. It can also result in the suspension of your registration. If you drive with a suspended registration, your vehicle can be impounded and face further fines. Failure to respond to MVA insurance notifications leads to the driver’s case being referred to the Central Collections Unit (CCU).
Once a case is sent to CCU, fines are subject to a 17 percent collection fee that can be taken from your tax return. Maryland requires bikers to show proof of insurance to register a motorcycle. If you lack proper insurance, you will not even be able to get Maryland license plates for your bike.
Can Health Insurance Cover Damages from a Motorcycle Accident in Maryland?
It is important to determine whether your health insurance will cover injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. In the past, motorcycle riders could usually count on their employer-provided health insurance for injury coverage. However, this is no longer the case. Currently, employers can acquire health insurance plans that exclude motorcycle injury coverage as a way to reduce expenses. Although the Affordable Care Act still requires most employers to offer health insurance, they are not compelled to cover injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident.
Determining If Motorcycle Coverage is Excluded from Your Health Insurance
The coverage of your motorcycle injuries by your health insurance hinges on the terms specified in your policy. Insurance companies often use complex language intentionally to confound policyholders. Thus, you must verify if your policy includes an exclusions section where such language could be present.
However, your policy might not directly cite exclusions for motorcycle injuries. Instead, it will usually have some language referring to “high-risk activities” as being excluded. This generally produces the same result, as insurance companies will likely contend that motorcycle riding is a high-risk activity.
Why Using Your Health Insurance Should Not Be Your First Choice
If your health insurance covers your motorcycle accident injuries, there are several factors to consider before deciding how to handle your injuries. First and foremost, you will likely need to pay a deductible or co-pay prior to receiving the care you require. Co-pays and deductibles often cost victims thousands of dollars even before obtaining treatment.
Generally, health insurance only covers specific medical expenses. While it typically includes hospital stays, exams, diagnostic tests, and prescription medications, it typically will not cover additional medical costs associated with treatments like physical or occupational therapy. Health insurance will also not compensate for lost wages resulting from missed work due to your injuries.
Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation and bike repairs, incurred during this time will also not be covered by an employer’s health insurance plan. Moreover, injured motorcyclists usually experience non-physical damages, such as physical pain and emotional trauma. Regrettably, non-economic “pain and suffering” damages are rarely, if ever, covered by health insurance companies.
Will Homeowners’ or Renters’ Insurance Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Maryland?
While homeowners’ and renters’ insurance is incredibly valuable to protect your property after an incident, it will likely not be of much use in the event of a motorcycle accident. These types of insurance are intended to cover damages to your home and the property contained within. This is one of the reasons Maryland requires all motorcyclists to carry liability coverage.
Filing a Lawsuit in Maryland to Recover Damages Insurance Might Not Cover in a Motorcycle Accident
In the event that you have substantial damages following a motorcycle injury, you should consider filing a lawsuit in addition to your insurance claims. Severe injuries can often result in the need for time off work to recover, or even permanent injuries that can prevent you from returning to work altogether. Additionally, you may need to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle, as well as any other property that was damaged during the accident, such as your helmet or personal items. Lastly, it is likely that your injuries will have caused you considerable pain and suffering. Filing a lawsuit in court is typically the most effective, and sometimes only, way to seek compensation for these damages.
In a motorcycle accident lawsuit, compensation can be awarded for the losses you sustained, including those previously mentioned. However, when you file an insurance claim, the damages you receive are constrained by the policy. For example, while your medical insurance may cover medical bills, you will likely be responsible for a portion or a copay as part of your deductible. Additionally, this insurance will not address lost wages or vehicle damage. Even with multiple insurance policies, it is probable that your damages will not be entirely covered.
Opting for a lawsuit, rather than utilizing your insurance and out-of-pocket payments to manage your injuries, enables you to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the harm they caused. Courts can determine the at-fault driver’s liability and mandate them to pay for all resulting damages. Because you can receive economic and noneconomic damages in a successful lawsuit, this can greatly increase the compensation you recover.
What is Covered Under Maryland Motorcycle Insurance?
Most insurance policies cover the following elements that can help riders and other parties who are injured in motorcycle wrecks in Maryland.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
This type of coverage allows you to receive money for your injuries, vehicle damage, or an accident caused by an uninsured motorist who is at fault for a wreck. This also applies to hit-and-run drivers who cannot be tracked.
Underinsured motorist coverage allows you to obtain payment from your insurance company if the person who caused your accident lacks adequate coverage.
Coverage for Bodily Injury and Damage
Insurance policies can protect a rider if another party, including a passenger, claims they were injured due to the rider’s fault unless the damages exceed policy limits.
Medical Payment Coverage
Some Maryland motorcycle insurance policies include medical payment coverage when pedestrians are hurt in motorcycle accidents. the policies may cover hospital bills incurred by injured pedestrians but do not cover passengers’ or drivers’ bills.
Other Types of Insurance That Could Help Cover Injuries from a Maryland Motorcycle Accident
There are other forms of insurance that can help in the event you are injured in a motorcycle accident. However, it is important to keep in mind that these types of insurance must be elected and purchased as they are not typically included in a basic insurance policy.
Collision Coverage
If your car is involved in a collision, collision coverage can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing it, regardless of who was at fault. It is important to note that health insurance and liability insurance typically will not cover these costs. Without collision coverage, you may have to pay for any necessary repairs out of your own funds.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage provides extensive protection against non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, floods, and storms, leaving you secure in most scenarios, except for motorcycle accidents.
MedPay
MedPay, or Medical Payments coverage, is an optional form of insurance that serves as a supplementary layer of protection to your motorcycle and health insurance policies. It is designed to help cover the immediate medical expenses resulting from a motorcycle accident, regardless of who is at fault. One of the key benefits of MedPay is that it typically is not subject to health insurance subrogation. This means that, unlike other forms of insurance, it usually does not require reimbursement after the claim has been settled.
Depending on the specific policy you choose, MedPay can offer coverage ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to help cover some of the costs associated with your injuries. These costs may include emergency room visits, ambulance fees, diagnostic tests, medical treatments, physical therapy, and even dental care if required due to the accident.
Do Mopeds and Scooters Require Insurance Under Maryland Law?
Yes. A law enacted on Oct. 1, 2012, made it mandatory for moped and scooter riders to obtain insurance. Maryland vehicle law requires all mopeds and motor scooters to be titled and have the Maryland minimum insurance.
All operators of scooters or mopeds must hold a valid driver’s license. or a moped operator’s permit and must wear a helmet and eye protection. All motor scooters must also display a title decal on the rear of the vehicle.
Talk to a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291 for a free review of your case with our Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys.