Imagine you’re passing by a showroom, and you see the motorcycle of your dreams. Naturally, you want to see this beauty up close and when you do, you know that you’re going to be adding a new member to your family.
You also know that you are legally obligated to have insurance in most states. But what do you do if you don’t have your motorcycle license yet? Can you still get motorcycle insurance?
You might be surprised to find out that the answer is usually yes, but there are some caveats you need to know that we’ll discuss in this article.
What Happens If You Purchase Motorcycle Insurance without a License?
Keep in mind that every situation is unique, but you can typically get insurance for a motorcycle even if you’re not licensed. However, you could run into some complications, including the following:
– Insurance agencies might charge more for a policy because they view an unlicensed owner as higher risk.
– You might not get approved by the first company you contact, so you’ll have to shop around.
– You may be able to get an insurance policy without any issues, but failure to get a license after a specified time can put you at risk for cancellation of your policy if you’ve been given a deadline to submit proof of insurance.
3 Reasons You Might Get Motorcycle Insurance without a License
We talked earlier about getting caught up in the moment and eagerly buying a bike and deciding to purchase motorcycle insurance before securing a motorcycle license. This often happens if you’re financing the bike and the lender requires proof of full coverage insurance.
There are also other situations you may find yourself in that require you to get insurance coverage even if you don’t have a Class M driver’s license.
1. You Have a Vintage Motorcycle or You Don’t Plan on Riding
If you own a vintage motorcycle that you’re restoring or you’ve been temporarily sidelined from riding, you might not have an active license. Still, you’ll want insurance to protect your property, including your motorcycle, from situations like fire, theft, or vandalism.
2. Your Motorcycle License is Suspended
All states are different, but the vast majority require you to have motorcycle insurance before they issue a license. It can feel like a chicken and egg scenario. We recommend contacting several insurance companies to see which ones offer the most reasonable rates if your license has been suspended.
3. The Motorcycle is in Someone Else’s Name
There are all sorts of financial arrangements that can be made that result in the person who will ride the motorcycle not being the person who owns it on paper. Maybe you have a partner who can secure better financing, so the bike is in that person’s name. However, that person may not have a motorcycle license.
The Importance of Having a Motorcycle License
It’s no secret that a significant percentage of Americans take to the road without a valid license. According to The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, it’s estimated that 20% of motorcycle riders don’t have a valid Class M license.
Though being licensed is no guarantee of safety, what we can tell you is that unlicensed riders are at a higher risk of being involved in a fatal accident. In Texas, unlicensed riders made up 46% of motorcycle fatalities, which when you think about it is a staggering statistic.
The importance of earning and maintaining a license is helpful in ensuring that you have the proper knowledge and skills to handle yourself safely on the open road.
Have More Questions about Motorcycles?
Here at Law Tigers, we’ve compiled a library of information to answer all your questions about motorcycle riding, safety, events, and more. Give us a call at 1-888-863-7213 Check out our resources here.
