Although some people actually use motorcycles as their primary source of transportation, most people ride a motorcycle purely for pleasure. Either way, you must carry insurance if you are using the bike on public roads. Unlike auto insurance, you won’t necessarily need to have full coverage insurance, even if you still owe money on the bike, but you must carry liability insurance. Following are a few tips on how to get insurance for a new motorcycle.

Determine Your Coverage

Before you actually go out to buy motorcycle insurance, you should have a good idea of what type of coverage you want to get. Like any other type of insurance, buying a policy for a motorcycle means getting the mandatory coverage dictated by the law, as well as any additional coverage you may desire. In most states, you will have to carry liability insurance, which will protect you in the event you’re involved in an accident that is your fault--it will pay for any damage you’ve caused. If you want to be covered in the event you’re in a single-vehicle accident, you will need to carry comprehensive insurance--which will also reimburse you if the bike is stolen or damaged by vandalism. You should also check with your agent to make sure you’re not already covered by your auto insurance policy. As is the case with any type of insurance, you can get coverage for virtually anything--provided you’re willing to pay for it.

Research

The next step is to find an insurance carrier that will give the coverage you want at reasonable rates. All insurance companies don’t provide the same services. You want to make sure you’ll be dealing with a reputable company that will stand behind their coverage. Do a little research to find a good company. Since the best form of advertisement is word of mouth it would be a good idea to talk to your friends and relatives who ride motorcycles and ask them what company they have their insurance policy through, and whether or not they’re satisfied with the service. If you already have insurance coverage on your car, home, or life, you should ask your agent if they provide motorcycle insurance, as well.

Shop Around

Prior to signing a policy with an insurance provider, you should shop around and compare rates. Companies that do business through Internet websites are a good place to get a few quotes. Use these quotes to compare to the rates quoted by the more traditional brick and mortar insurance companies, including the company you presently do business with. Keep in mind that unlike auto insurance, motorcycle insurance coverage is based on the size of the engine, as well as the type of bike. The motorcycle dealer will most likely try and sell you insurance through them. In most cases you will better off obtaining your own coverage, because insurance through a dealer will most likely cost more.

Have Your Information Available

When you talk to an insurance agent about getting a motorcycle insurance policy, they will want some basic information from you. Having this info on hand will speed up the process. Basically what they’ll need to know is the make and model of the bike, as well as the engine size and VIN number. You will also need your personal information, such as date of birth, address, social security number and driver’s license number.

Discounts

Because the insurance industry is extremely competitive, most companies are prepared to offer a variety of discounts to their customers. When you’re shopping for a provider, make sure you ask them what discounts are available, and what the qualifications are in order to be eligible for those discounts. One of the best reasons to go with your present insurer, if you already have one, is because most insurance companies offer discounts for multiple policies--such as car, home, life, and health coverage--as well as discounts for longtime customers. If you’ve taken a motorcycle safety course, you may qualify for additional discounts--you will need to be able to provide verification that you completed the course. People who don’t ride very much, or store their bike during the winter months, may also qualify for low-mileage rates. Due to the fact that young riders account for the majority of motorcycle accidents you may receive a discount as you get older--providing you don’t have a history of too many claims.

Guest post from Kerry Clare. Kerry writes for MotorcycleInsurance.com.