Imagine getting ready for your next ride with your motorcycle gear and accessories. You put on your favorite jacket, boots, helmet, and gloves while throwing a couple of items into your bag. You just cleaned your bike, so it's glistening in the sun. You turn on the radio and your GPS, and you're good to go.
Somewhere along the journey, there's an incident, and your expensive GPS system and FM radio are damaged. Thankfully, there's insurance that covers those items.
Did you know that motorcycle gear and accessories are covered in your insurance policy in the event of an accident? In this article, we will focus on explaining motorcycle gear and accessory coverage so that you can submit a claim confidently for either your primary insurance or motorcycle gap insurance.
What Is Considered a Motorcycle Accessory?
How can we explain motorcycle gear and accessory coverages without defining what is considered an accessory? Insured accessories and gear include:
- Custom paint
- Custom chrome
- Permanently-mounted GPS systems
- Cruise control
- AM/FM radio
- CB radio
- Luggage racks
- Helmets
- Lightbars
- Windshields
- Saddlebags
- Fairings
- Highway pegs
Any equipment, devices, accessories, enhancements, or modifications are covered by motorcycle insurance.
How To Properly Insure Your Gear
There are some caveats to having motorcycle gear coverage. Insurance companies will consider your bike's gear separate from the motorcycle itself. You must ensure your accessories are separated from your bike. When you make a claim, accessory coverage is all that insurance will compensate you for.
You may find yourself submitting a claim for your GPS, radio, saddlebag, helmet, and custom paint, but you only have $300 worth of accessory coverage. It is imperative to evaluate and assign values to each motorcycle accessory.
How To Ensure You Are Properly Covered
When you buy gear and accessory insurance, you need to ensure that they are adequately covered. Here are a few steps to make sure your equipment has the right amount of coverage.
Find Out Which Items Are Stock on Your Motorcycle
The dealership or previous owner may have added aftermarket items to your bike that would be considered accessories on an insurance policy. It's best to learn all your motorcycle's specifications from the manufacturer to know what was on your bike when it left the factory.
Compare Your Motorcycle to the Manufacturer's Specs
First, create a list of your motorcycle accessories. When you have the specs from the manufacturer, look at your bike and find anything on your bike that is not original. Don't forget to list items like your helmet, riding boots, goggles, or additional leather to your accessory list.
Evaluate Each Accessory
Examine various websites, stores, or receipts to determine the value of your motorcycle gear and accessories. This way, you will know how much coverage you need. If you find that your items are greater than 50% of the total value of your bike, you should talk to your insurance company to agree on a value to ensure you are appropriately protected.
Saferoad Insurance Services offers insurance for motorcycles in California for residents who love to live on the wild side. When riding on the open road, it's always best to ensure that you are properly covered. Understanding motorcycle gear and accessory coverages can be complex, but we will always steer you in the right direction. To learn more about motorcycle gear and accessories coverage and other types of auto insurance, browse our blogs or contact us today.