By: Mary Ann Morgan, Esquire; Managing Partner of Billings, Morgan and Boatwright

The debate goes on. " Should I go bare?  Why buy insurance if I don't have to?  I have a mortgage or rent to pay and the last thing I want to do is give an insurance company my hard earned money! Besides, I'm a careful rider. And even if I do get insurance, it will be the minimum to keep me legal. I'm not wasting money on that UM coverage (Uninsured/Underinsured coverage). By the way, what the heck is UM?"

Sound familiar?  As we all look for ways to tighten our belts in an ever increasing downward turn in the economy, the last thing on our minds is spending a bunch on insurance. In a tight economy, often insurance coverage is one of the first things to go.  WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

We all know the statistics. 70% of accidents involving motorcycles are the fault of the other person. You've seen them on the road.  Crazy drivers who don't care a flip about motorcycles or the safety of those riding them.  And face it.  If we really thought we would be in an accident, we may be driving only cars.  But they happen.  And if you are involved in an accident while on a bike, chances are it will not be pretty.  You WILL be on the losing end of that battle.

So what's the best use of your insurance dollars?  First you have to look at the risk.  If chances are greater that you may not be at fault for an accident, let's look at statistics regarding other motorists in Florida who share the roads with you.  Florida law does not require vehicle drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance, only property damage insurance. (Some may say our legislators care more about cars being damaged than people, however that is a topic for another article)

If drivers can legally drive without carrying insurance to cover someone they injure, then ask yourself...who are the drivers most likely to only carry the minimum insurance?  RIGHT!  The WORST drivers!  Because it costs so much more for insurance if you have a bad driving record.  Then consider that bad drivers are the most likely to cause accidents, particularly with
bikers and you understand the point: You are more likely to be hit by bad drivers...bad drivers are more likely to carry no insurance for injuries they cause.

IT'S UP TO YOU to protect you and your family!  You can purchase insurance to cover you for those reckless yahoos who cause accidents and have little or no insurance. Ask your insurance agent about UM coverage being added to your policy if you don't currently have it.

I frequently have clients tell me, 'don't worry, I have full coverage'. What that usually means is they have collision coverage for their car or bike.  Most people I know have no idea how important UM coverage is.  That is the insurance that steps in if you are injured by someone without insurance or without enough insurance.  If you don't have this important coverage you have rejected it by signing a form.  (Again, most people have no idea exactly what they are signing when their agent just points and says, 'sign here and here')

So the bottom line is you need to take a few minutes out and check your policy covering your bike and car/truck.  Make sure you have UM/UIM insurance on your policy.  And the amount should be equal to your Bodily Injury Liability limits.  If you have more than one vehicle, then choose 'stacked' UM. This doubles the coverage if there are 2 vehicles on the policy.

If you have any questions, ask your attorney.  If you don't have one, our office conducts free policy check ups.  Just give me a call at 407-679-9900 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . And remember...Happy Riding!

Mary Ann Morgan is a board certified Florida trial lawyer specializing in personal injury. She has been serving the Central Florida community since 1986 and is a Managing Partner at Billings, Morgan and Boatwright in Winter Park, Florida. Mary Ann is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an eminent group of trial lawyers in the United Sateswho have won for their client, million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. For more information, please visit www.billingslawfirm.com.