Motorcycle Insurance in New Hampshire

What is Motorcycle Insurance?

Laconia, New Hampshire has a special place in the biking community that extends beyond the town’s beaches. While Motorcycle Week is the epicenter of biking activity in the state (and region), riders can be found on almost any of New Hampshire’s roads when the weather is fair. For all of these riders, motorcycle insurance is a highly recommended protection.

Motorcycle insurance policies won’t prevent an accident or other incident from occurring, and they’re no substitute for practicing safe riding habits. Should a rider be in an accident, though, a motorcycle policy may provide valuable protection from the financial consequence that can follow.

What Protections Can NH Motorcycle Policies Provide?

Many of the coverages that motorcycle policies offer are similar to those found in car insurance policies. For example, both types of policies frequently make available:

• Medical Payments, which may cover injuries that the rider or their passenger sustain

• Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, which may cover injuries that other people sustain

• Comprehensive and Collision Coverage, which may cover damaged sustained by the insured motorcycle

• Property Damage Liability Coverage, which may cover certain damage caused to other people’s property

• Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage, which may cover accidents caused by improperly insured riders and drivers

In addition to these protections, many bikers also get accessories coverage. Accessories coverage might cover aftermarket modifications made to a bike or non-fixed equipment (e.g. a helmet). Such coverage is sometimes available through auto policies, but it’s more common in motorcycle policies.

What’s the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?

Comprehensive and collision are two distinct coverages that normally offer coverage against different types of damage.

Comprehensive coverage usually is applied to incidents where there’s not a collision between two moving vehicles. For example, this might be the relevant coverage if a policyholder hits a deer while riding on backroads or has their bike damaged while it’s parked during Motorcycle Week.

Collision coverage usually comes into play when bikes are damaged in multi-vehicle collisions. For example, this would likely be the applicable coverage if a bike was damaged in a collision with another bike while driving on a rally during Motorcycle Week.

(In all situations, claims coverage is subject to the specific terminology of the relevant insurance policy.)

Who in New Hampshire Needs a Motorcycle Policy?

New Hampshire is one of the few states that doesn’t require vehicle owners (including motorcycle owners) to carry insurance. As long as riders are able to provide proof of financial responsibility, they usually aren’t legally required to get an insurance policy. Financial responsibility is defined as having:

• $25,000 to pay bodily injury payments arising from one person’s injury or death

• $50,000 to pay bodily injury payments arising from multiple people’s injuries or deaths

• $25,000 to pay property damage payments arising from a single incident

Even if riders are able to meet these requirements, the state still strongly encourages vehicle owners to purchase insurance. Self-insuring can leave riders with little protection from large claims, and it can be expensive even if there’s a small claim. Most riders should have a motorcycle policy.

How Do Companies Determine the Cost of Motorcycle Insurance?

As is true with car insurance, many factors influence how much motorcycle policies cost. Some of the factors insurers often consider include the:

• Age and gender of the rider

• Past claims history and driving record of the rider

• Location where the bike is stored when not in use

• Style (i.e. sport, cruiser, etc.) and size (i.e. CCs) of a bike

• Coverages and limits chosen for the policy

How Can Bikers Get Motorcycle Insurance?

While motorcycle policies are similar to car insurance policies, there are nuances that make the two types of policies different. When looking for a motorcycle policy, bikers in New Hampshire should talk with an HPM Insurance agent who specializes in motorcycle insurance. Our agents know what protections bikers need will be able to compare many policies and make informed recommendations.

Motorcycle Insurance: Do You Really Need it?

You are not required by law to buy NH motorcycle insurance, so why should you?

According to the National Safety Council, a motorcycle accident that causes serious bodily injury happens every 14 seconds in the United States. Not to mention that motorcycle theft is on the rise with only 20-25% of bikes stolen never being found.

Keep in mind that even though car insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire, the law would require you to pay for any damages you cause if found at fault in an accident.  This includes property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering or loss of income. 

If there is not a bike policy in place, you could personally be on the hook for these expenses.  You could also run into trouble if you decide to leave NH with your motorcycle because all other states in the nation, including Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont all have compulsory insurance laws on the books and therefore required to drive on its roads.

Even if you are a great driver and assume you will never be in an accident, how many bad drivers have you seen nearly crash into a motorcycle? Because cars are also not required to carry insurance in NH, there are a lot of uninsured cars on our roads. What if you were seriously injured on your motorcycle and the driver found at-fault doesn't have any car insurance? You may run into financial difficulty as it can be a slow process when trying to be reimbursed by an at-fault driver without insurance. Hospitals and repair shops will not wait to be paid.  If you were unsuccessful at getting reimbursed, you would be left paying for your own injuries, bike repair, etc. Don't let this happen to you- call us today to protect you, your passengers and your bike with a motorcycle policy written by HPM Insurance.  

A custom motorcycle policy you can afford

A custom Harley Davidson can be expensive, but the motorcycle insurance doesn't have to be. The professionals at HPM Insurance can discuss with you your areas of concern. Are you worried about liability or getting hit by another driver? What about the custom paint job or chopper handle bars you added? Every bike and biker is different. 

Why choose HPM Insurance 

At HPM Insurance, we love motorcycles. Many of our staff own a bike (or two), so we understand that this is more than a motorcycle - it is a lifestyle. To have HPM Insurance help you insure your motorcycle, enter your contact information on this page.

No matter what you own - a Harley, a sport bike, cruiser, standard, touring bike, or a sweet custom ride - you can turn to us for great rates and the best coverage. Enjoy the freedom of the open road – get covered by HPM Insurance today! You love your motorcycle; now show it the love by protecting it.