Time for a Road Trip?

Updated March 1, 2023

It’s that time of year again, when motorcycles and their riders come out of hibernation and hit the road.  It’s a time when both cycle drivers and auto/truck drivers must be more alert and aware.

For the cycle drivers and riders keep the following in mind:

1. Do your part to ride safely.  22% of riders killed in crashes were not licensed at all or not licensed to operate a motorcycle. When you’re controlling this much force, it’s essential that you have the licensing and training to be in complete control of your motorcycle.  In addition, a safety course can help with your motorcycle rates by reducing your premium.
2. Know your bike’s capabilities. Know how it performs in a curve or on slick roads and how quickly it can stop. Errors like over braking, driving too fast or under cornering are major factors in many solo accidents.
3. In a crash, the auto or SUV wins. Often in a crash, the driver of the car failed to see the cyclist. It’s important to take some extra steps to become more visible. Use your headlights both night and day and wear bright colored jackets to make yourself more visible. Position yourself in your lane so that you can be seen easily, not off to one side.
4. Ride sober. Driving while impaired is even more deadly for cycle riders than for drivers.
5. Wear a helmet. The best type of helmet provides full-face coverage. Other protection gear, such as gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle boots also help to protect the body in a crash.

For the auto and truck drivers remember:

1. Motorcycles have the same rights as the auto. Don’t follow too closely or assume that the cycle can get out of your way.
2. Keep an eye out for motorcycles. When at an intersection be sure to look not just for an auto coming, but make a point of looking for motorcycles also – it’s not as easy to see them, and you might miss the cycle if you just take cursory glance instead of a full look each way.

TR Insurance has been writing motorcycle insurance for many years – our current carriers include Safeco, Progressive, Foremost and National General.

These carriers write special policies for cycles that include coverage for protective gear, custom parts and equipment, transport trailer coverage, and trip interruption in addition to the normal policy coverages.  We also have several markets that specialize in antique cycles, including Condon and Skelly and Hagerty.

Keep in mind that ATVs can also be insured – if you take your ATV off your own property, you need insurance to cover liability exposures that you may have – while on your owned property your home policy may provide this coverage, but not when away. In addition, many ATVs are expensive and you may want physical damage coverage for them.

Give us a call for your current cycle renewal, or when you are thinking about getting that bike and heading out on the road.  Randy Riegner, Debbie Riegner and Heather Regan are all available to answer your questions about cycle coverage and provide you with a quote.