According to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse survey, nearly one in five motorcyclists does not have motorcycle insurance.
“Florida law does not require motorcycle insurance,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent motorcycle insurance agency. “Motorcycle insurance is not required however, if a motorcyclist is charged in an accident, then they are financially responsible for injuries and property damage.”
AAA estimates the economic cost to society for each motorcycle death is $1.48 million. These costs include; lost productivity, medical costs, legal and court fees, emergency services, insurance administration costs along with property damage and workplace losses.
Florida has the most motorcycle fatalities in the nation, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcyclists accounted for 19 percent of motor vehicles deaths in the state. Florida Department of Highway Safety reports in 2014, there were 449 motorcycle fatalities.
Further complicating the issue is the helmet law in Florida. A motorcycle rider is not required to wear a helmet in Florida.
“There are exceptions to the helmet law,” says Buck from GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent motorcycle insurance agency. “Those under 21 and anyone without a minimum of $10,000 of medical insurance coverage are required to keep their helmet on while riding.”
The helmet law is not without its controversies. In Florida, 32 percent of motorcyclists do not think they should be required to wear a helmet when riding. “Since the repeal of the helmet law in Florida, motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled,” said Karen Morgan, Public Policy Manager, AAA.
The NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,630 motorists in Florida in 2013. They believe if all motorcyclists wore helmets, an additional 715 lives could have been saved.
GreatFlorida Insurance can create a custom policy for you regardless of the type of bike you ride. We have available moped insurance, scooter insurance, dirt bike insurance, motocross insurance, Harley-Davidson Insurance and more, there is a policy to fit every biker’s needs. Give us a call today.
