Motorcycle Insurance Texas - A Guide to Motorcycle Insurance in Texas
Motorcycles are very popular in Texas. This is probably due to
the wide-open roads around Texas and the lack of traffic in many
parts. However, riding a motorcycle is still dangerous, even in
light traffic. Texas has proven this with its very high motorcycle
fatality rate. There are also other reasons to get various types
of motorcycle insurance, such as theft insurance. Motorcycle theft
in Texas is up more than fifty percent in recent years and bike
sales continue to soar. A recent survey concluded that forty-nine
percent of bike owners are concerned about theft, and that over
eighty percent believe the chance of recovering a stolen bike is
virtually zero. Most motorcycle insurance companies offer specific
theft insurance or offer coverage against theft as part of their
basic plan. You can reduce your insurance rates by purchasing a
stolen vehicle recovery device and having it installed by a professional.
These tracking devices are activated when the vehicle is reported
stolen and increase the rate of vehicle recovery by over ninety
percent. Showing your insurance company proof that you have such
a device installed usually lowers your rates because it lowers
the risk on the part as well.
But of course as a motorcyclist you have more to worry about than
theft. The NHSTA has reported that the motorcycle fatality rate
in Texas is higher than the rest of the United States. The number
of motorcycle fatalities in Texas has increased each year over
the past five years. The majority of fatal and serious injuries
in Texas were a result of the rider not wearing a helmet. In Texas
wearing a helmet is not mandatory, and many have speculated that
this is one of the reasons that the fatality rate for riders is
so high in Texas. The stats have also led to insurance rates that
are higher than ever before. In Texas you do not legally have to
wear a helmet if you have completed an approved motorcycle safety-training
course, or have approved health insurance coverage of more than
ten thousand dollars.
Many riders do not have proper training, licenses, or safety gear.
Even worse, around half of all motorcycle accidents have alcohol
as a factor. The misconduct of irresponsible riders has caused
accident rates, and insurance rates, to soar. As a responsible
rider you do have some options to get the most out of your Texas Motorcycle Insurance and out of your time riding. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)
offers courses in Texas that train riders in accident avoidance.
You can also choose to use a helmet even if you legally do not
have to. Most importantly, do not drink and ride. The statistics
may make riding in Texas look like suicide, but if you do not make
the mistakes that many riders make you can improve your chances
far beyond what the statistics indicate. Insurances companies will
usually offer lower rates to responsible riders.
