Insurance can get expensive, but did you know motorcycle safety, belonging in an association, and the right bike can help lower the price of your motorcycle premium? There are many factors that play a role in determining your insurance costs. Here are a few ways you can lower your premium.
Enroll in a Training Course
Enrolling in a motorcycle training course allows motorists to become more informed and educated. Many insurance companies offer discounts that range from 10 to 15 percent on motorcycle insurance for those who become graduates of the training course, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course. Make sure to view our other article, Why You Should Take a Motorcycle Safety Course.
As an organization, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, strives “to make motorcycling safer and more enjoyable by ensuring access to lifelong quality education and training for current and prospective riders, and by advocating a safer riding environment.” MSF offers a broad range of courses for all types of riders from beginner courses to advanced courses including, but not limited to the following courses:
- Basic RiderCourse: This course teaches the basics of operating a motorcycle and safety-oriented mental strategies, where riders will receive five hours of formal classroom activities and ten hours of riding instruction.
- Street Strategies RiderCourse: A half-day program allowing newly licensed riders to focus on perceptual skills, practice time for basic riding skills, and a couple hours of street riding.
- Ultimate Bike-Bonding RiderCourse: A program that allows experienced riders to focus on limited-space maneuvers modeled after police courses with no classroom work in involved.
- Circuit RiderCourse: A one-day high-performance course that focuses on visual awareness training as well as handling advanced braking and cornering maneuvers.
- Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME): A two-hour session that focuses on reviewing motorcycle’s controls, rather than teaching riding skills.
Maintain a Clean Driving Record
Maintaining a clean driving record makes the roads safer for everyone, while also allowing the potential of a motorcycle premium reduction. There is always a strong emphasis on following the rules of the road, but when you can gain a premium reduction from it, why not do it? Keeping violations off your driving record, won’t just benefit you, it will benefit all those around as well.
Join a Motorcycle Association
Many insurance companies offer a reduction on insurance costs if you belong to a motorcycle association or organization. Associations help qualify you for a discount which can help lower your motorcycle premium. These include:
- American Motorcycle Association
- BMW Motorcycle Owners of America
- Harley Owners Group
- Honda Riders Club of America
- Gold Wing Riders Association
- Motorcycle Touring Association
Choose the Right Motorcycle
All motorcycles are designed differently depending on their intended purpose. Insurance companies may adjust your rates based on the size, make, and model of your motorcycle. Motorcycles of newer models and larger in size tend to have a higher replacement cost due to the high-risk factor. These motorcycles can typically travel at a higher rate of speed, which increases your risk for high-speed collisions. An older model and smaller motorcycle will have less power making it safer for you and decreasing your insurance costs.
Motorcycle safety will always be a critical component for motorists to know. Interested in learning more about how to reduce your motorcycle premium? Contact us now to learn more. We are always willing to help with any of your insurance needs.
