How Adding a Simple Supplemental Coverage Can Save Your Ride (and Your Wallet)
You’ve just had the perfect day cruising down some Midwest highways on your bike. The wind’s been in your face, the engine’s purring like a dream, and all feels right with the world. But then, in a split second, everything changes.
A car swerves into your lane, and before you know it, you’re lying on the pavement, a wrecked bike beside you. Now, the real nightmare begins—not just from the injuries but from what comes next. What if that driver has no insurance or too little to cover your massive hospital bills?
You might be thinking, “I’m covered. I’ve got insurance.” But are you sure?
The Hidden Risk Lurking on the Road: Uninsured Drivers
Here’s a hard pill to swallow—about 1 in 10 drivers in Iowa are on the road without any insurance. And if they crash into you, well, you’re left holding the bag. No amount of rage, lawsuits, or judgment in your favor can fix the cold hard truth: You can’t get blood from a stone.
Drivers who don’t carry insurance almost never have any assets worth pursuing in court. You could sue, win a massive judgment, and get nothing but a worthless piece of paper.
That’s why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage exists. It’s your best line of defense when other drivers can’t or won’t take responsibility.
Why Your Coverage Might Not Be Enough
You’ve probably heard the phrase “full coverage,” and you might even think you’re all set because it’s written on your insurance card. But here’s the brutal truth: full coverage doesn’t mean squat if you don’t have enough underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.
Imagine you’re hit by an uninsured driver. Sure, your liability insurance covers the other guy if you’re at fault, but it does nothing for you when someone else causes the crash. That’s where underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage come into play.
Too many riders assume they’re protected, but when they look at the fine print, they’re sitting on a measly $20,000 limit. That sounds like a chunk of change—until you’ve been through a crash. A few days in the hospital and you’ll be in the six-figure range, easy. Now imagine months of rehab, time off work, and medical expenses piling up. Suddenly, that “full coverage” doesn’t look so full anymore.
A Real-World Example: When Coverage Falls Short
Here’s a story we see all too often.
A rider gets into a serious accident, with months of hospitalization and over $200,000 in medical bills. The driver who caused the crash had a $100,000 policy. Sounds decent, right? But it barely covers half of the medical costs. To make matters worse, the rider had only $50,000 in underinsured motorist coverage, leaving him with a massive financial gap.
The sad truth? Even though this guy did nothing wrong, he’s financially wrecked. It’s not just the hospital bills. He’s not working for months, which means no income coming in. Without enough insurance, you’re left scrambling to figure out how to pay the bills and keep your life together.
What Coverage Do You Really Need?
So, what can you do to protect yourself? The rule is simple: buy as much uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as you can afford. If you’re riding a motorcycle, you should never be on the road with less than $250,000 of coverage.
You may think you can’t afford it now, but the truth is you can’t afford not to have as much as possible. Can you afford to live several months or even years without an income? If not, you can and need to afford UM/UIM. The best part? It’s one of the cheapest coverages you can add to your policy. In fact, you’ll pay less to protect yourself than you do to protect the other guy with your liability insurance.
But if you want to go one step further, consider an umbrella policy. It’s exactly what it sounds like—a big umbrella that covers anything your regular insurance doesn’t. Let’s say you get into an accident that totals a million dollars in medical bills and damages. If you’ve got an umbrella policy with high limits, you’re covered. For bikers, that kind of protection can make the difference between getting back on your feet or drowning in debt. It’s vital to understand what your insurance coverage options are and which ones are right for you.
Don’t Rely on Insurance Companies to Have Your Back
Now, you might be thinking, “I’ve got my coverage, so I’m good, right?” Don’t be so sure.
Even when you’re making a claim with your own insurance company, their goal is to pay you as little as possible. In fact, they’ll use every trick in the book to minimize what they owe you. Just because you’re dealing with your own insurance provider doesn’t mean they’re suddenly your ally. They have a financial incentive to keep as much money in their pockets as possible, which means they might offer you a fraction of what you’re really entitled to.
The key is to know when to push back and when to get legal help. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they’ve been shortchanged until it’s too late. You could have hundreds of thousands in medical bills, missed work, and repairs—and your insurance company is lowballing you on the payout.
That’s why having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side is critical.
When Should You Call a Lawyer After a Crash?
The simple answer? Immediately. The moment you’re involved in an accident, you need legal help.
We get it—reaching out to a lawyer probably isn’t the first thing on your mind when you’re lying in a hospital bed, but it should be. The earlier we get involved, the better we can help you navigate the insurance maze and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Remember, the insurance companies have entire teams of adjusters and lawyers who are experts at protecting their interests. You need someone in your corner who knows the game and isn’t afraid to go head-to-head with them.
As soon as you’re physically able, make the call to (319) 294-4424 and talk to The Biker Lawyers for your free consultation.
Wrapping It Up: Protect Yourself on the Road
So, what’s the takeaway here? Riding a motorcycle is about freedom, the open road, and living life on your own terms. But with that freedom comes risk, especially when you’re sharing the road with uninsured or underinsured drivers.
The best way to protect yourself is to make sure your insurance policy is up to the task. Get as much uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as you can afford, and consider an umbrella policy for that extra layer of security. Even most insurance agents will tell you – an umbrella policy is the cheapest way to protect yourself with the largest amount of money and is one of the best investments you can make.
And don’t wait until it’s too late—get covered before you need it.
Lastly, if you ever find yourself in a crash, don’t go it alone. Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to limit their payouts. Having an experienced motorcycle attorney on your side can make all the difference in making sure you’re treated fairly.
At The Biker Lawyers, we’re here for bikers because we are bikers. We understand the challenges you face, and we’ve got your back. So, before you hit the road, give your insurance agent a call, review your policy, and make sure you’re protected.
Then, save our number just in case.
Ride safe, and if the worst happens, we’ll be here to help you navigate the legal road ahead.
Already injured? Get your free consultation now.