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Everyone is re-evaluating their driving behavior in light of the higher cost of gasoline. They’ve been gradually rising again since they fell from the shocking highs of over $4 a gallon. Prices are now in the $3 plus range. Somehow it doesn’t seem as severe as before, because we’ve already had worse. We have become a bit complacent. Gas hit $4 and we survived. Still, when you purchased a car as your main form of transportation, you didn’t anticipate it to be this expensive. So you’ve decided to buy a motorbike to escape the high price of gas. Smart move! Unfortunately there’s another problem ahead; the price of motorcycle insurance.

There are a couple of reasons that motorcycle insurance is so expensive. First, motorcycles are difficult for other drivers to see because they’re small and they can move quickly, leading to more accidents. Although the other driver may be at fault too, if you are partially responsible for an accident, your insurance has to pay. Insurance companies also have to take into account the cost of paying claims when the other driver is uninsured or under-insured.

Significant bodily injury claims are more likely in accidents involving motorcycles. Unlike property damage, which tops out at the value of the property, injury claims can be almost limitless. That drive up insurance premiums. There are some things you can do to reduce this danger – drive carefully and leave your bike in the garage when road conditions are especially treacherous. Motorcycles are more affected than cars by weather factors like fog, wind and rain. If you have a backup plan, like a car or some other means of getting to work, that’s a good time to use it. Always wear a helmet, and insist that any passengers do too.

Lastly, insurance companies base their rates on statistics. The premiums will be higher on a motorcycle (or any vehicle for that matter) that has a higher incident rate of claims and/or a higher average cost per claim. This helps insurance companies account for all kinds of things that they can’t identify, from hot-dogging drivers to vehicles with safety problems. When you’re comparing insurance quotes, get prices with a few different models of motorcycles. If the price difference is significant enough, it might change your mind about what type of motor bike to get.

What’s the best way to keep those gas savings rather than handing them over to the insurance company? First, be a low risk driver. Make sure you drive safely all the time. Whether you’re in the right or not, do what it takes to avoid accidents. Second, compare motorcycle insurance quotes. Don’t just assume that all insurance companies charge similar prices. They don’t. Contact at least three companies and get quotes for the coverage you want for your bike with your driving record. It’s so easy now that you can get quotes online. Yes, it still takes time, but it’s worth it. This is a major expense that recurs year after year, not a one-time expense like buying the motorcycle was. If you find a good insurance policy that saves you $500 a year, you’ll save that much not just this year, but next year and the year after as well. Prices can creep up after a few years, especially if something about your driving record or vehicles has changed since you first chose this insurance company, so it’s a good idea to get a quote from a different insurance company every few years. If the new one is better, then switch. If not, stay where you are. That’s a great way to get a good price with minimal effort on your part.

Written by Coleen Smith Motorcycle Insurance Compare Bike Insurance Comparison