Gear not covered?
 

Alright so most of you already know about my "get off" a couple of weeks ago. Now I find our my gear is not covered under my bike insurance. It is covered however under my home owners policy.... where my detectable is $1K. The gear I was wearing (jacket, helmet, gloves, boots) adds up to about that or just under so it's not worth making a claim. WTF? I thought gear was covered under your auto policy.

Depends on your policy I guess. I know mine is covered with my insurance.

Not sure about my policy as far as gear is concerned.

I guess so!

I would've thought it would be covered as well, because I've heard of others who've had their gear covered in a get-off (and their aftermarket accessories, too), but sounds like that's just their specific ins co/policy.

I've heard of gear being covered by auto insurance if you're hit by a car and the driver is at fault. If you're claiming it on your own policy, it may not be covered. Depends on your policy.

Michigan is a no fault state. So the claim goes against my policy anyway no matter who is at fault.

That sucks, Florida used to be a no-fault state, but we still had the right to sue, since the "limited tort" option was not part of out laws.

So when I has hit by a car and it was their fault, they had to cover everything. I let my insurance company know and they told me to call them if the other insurance gave me any problems. Otherwise they were staying out of it.

Didn't even think about gear being covered. I'll be checking with my insurance co. Thanks for the info.

indeed - I never thought about it and just figured I'd replace it myself.

now that I check, it is not covered.

Unfortunately that's correct, Ed.

I have state farm, known to be among the best / most generous, and they stated that they are only required to replace what the state mandates you to wear (i.e. a helmet in MA... if your state doesn't require them you might be out of luck in that area, too)

That's what they told me when I asked about repairing my leathers.

Helmet is required here, but they(Liberty Mutual) don't cover it.

I would try arguing with them. It is a required safety item and it was damaged. It's like if your airbag went off in your car. They have to replace that shit.

Basically just as a general rule, argue with them and never accept their first offer... I argued for a couple days and came out pretty well on the deal.

Thanks for the advice Chris. I'll talk with them and see what they say.

I argued for a little while on an acciedent where someone hit me head on (relatively low speed, car accident) and ended up getting a pretty decent check for my pain/suffering on top of my repairs being covered. I wasnt even in any pain though so it was basically for my inconveinience.

No problem dude. Good luck.

It's not fun to be upset about wrecking your bike, and then on top of that have to deal with all sorts of paperwork and phone calls. You sort of just want it to be done and over with. I've been there. But a little persistence will help you come out better off.

Whoa buckaroo! Last I knew,Mi's no fault laws do not apply to motorcycles. When I was rear ended,the other guy's bike insurance paid for my bike and my medical because he was at fault.

Now as far as gear goes,some companies include a preset amount of gear coverage and some don't. If I were you,I'd look at my bike policy very closely... do not just trust the adjuster's word for it! Also,look into your auto policy and your home owner's policy. A lot of times,homeowner's insurance covers losses not covered by auto policies,like stolen and damaged personal items. Also,since another vehicle was involved,you may be able to claim your medical bills,lost work and your gear against his policy regardless of fault. Make sure you at least call them and check. Trust me,his truck ran over your leg,they would be MORE than happy to pay a couple medical bills,work days and for some gear than the cost of a lawsuit,win or lose! Besides,if they owe anything based on ins. law,your ins will subrogate the money from his company after the fact. Quite frankly,that guy probably called his ins company and they may be just waiting for you to call them.

Its not a michigan thing... a buddy of mine had progresshit and they covered his jacket and helmet.

As soon as your done with this claim and shit... dump them and go state farm.

I have progressive. They would have covered any gear that was damaged- but they take whatever they pay for. I decided to keep everything except my gloves. They also pay for something like $3,000 in accessories.

I already have a claim into his insurance company for the medical bills. They are covering them all. Really it's not a big deal. The only gear that was damaged was the helmet. MY gloves are perfect not a mark on them. My jacket is in great shape once I washed it(It's textile). My boots, who cares, I needed new ones anyway. I'll call his insurance company and see if they'll cover my helmet. If not it's not the end of the world. Helmets are relatively cheap considering their function and I wanted to buy a new one anyway.

Oh and there was no fault cited in the accident since they calculated I was going 36 in a 35. The driver of the truck should have had a flagger at the top of the hill but he is required to have one. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a personal injury attorney and he told me that really unless there is some permanent physical damage they limits my ability to maintain my current lifestyle, I really don't have a case. The way the laws are written, You have to reach a minimum pre defined threshold of monetary damage, and it doesn't look like I would come anywhere close to that. I had an MRI on Sunday, so when I get the results back form that, then we will know if there is any further action I need to take.

OK, strange to me. In every state I've lived - it's been a no-fault state. Yet, in accidents that are clearly someone's fault THEIR insurance company has taken care of my damages.

I think you're being too nice.

36 in a 35? Let's talk error ratios, and the fact that getting an EXACT speed from a skid mark is impossible. I just did skid test training with a County Sheriff department at the track - no where in there did they EVER make an exact speed.

You are being TOO NICE and accepting their answers.

I'm not saying sue them. I'm saying just stand up a bit, it's alright. You aren't a bad person for doing it.

Well now it's up to my insurance company to battle it out with theirs. I'm removing myself from it. The police report has been given to both insurance companies and if they want to take each other to court then that's their problem. The truck had zero damage so his insurance company is only paying for my medical bills. I might press the issue on covering my gear, but that's about all I want. :idk: Whats done is done. I'm just ready to move on and heal up.

Roger dat.

Here's to healing quickly and completely....

Exactly... we are on the same page zoomie.

Unless specifically stated in an insurance policy, there's no coverage for gear. Even if it's a "full coverage" policy (which is a joke in itself), it won't be covered unless listed. Some insurance companies offer coverage of your gear under an insurance rider (add on, not actual rider who rides a bike), but they'll charge extra, of course. Also, the rider will either be for gear which you specifically list with stated values, or a more generic "we'll give you up to $xxx" with the amount they'll cover varying on the amount of coverage you elect to carry.

It sucks, but if it's not specifically listed in your policy, you can fight tooth and nail with the insurance companies and still come out with nothing.

yeah I tried like hell to get mine covered... but it's only covered if there's a statute requiring it. I even tried to use military Regs showing I'm required by military law to wear it... no joy.

the weird thing is I wonder if I went down in a state with no helmet law would my helmet be covered? at least I got $ for that.

sorry to hear about that though Rider... doesn't make any sense to me... you'll pay my fuck'n medical bills if I go to the hospital for not wearing gear... but not the gear that's saving you money by keeping me out of the hospital...

In Michigan, the motorcycle rider's insurance doesn't pay the medical bills anyway if it is involved in an accident with a car. Now if it's a just a self inflicted off like your's....:whistle: then yes they would cover it. I got 3 years and 1 crash out of that Shoei... It served it's purpose. Time for a new lid anyway.

yeah I claimed my Arai... but it was the rest of my gear that got fucked up....

and wouldn't that go by your policy not by state? or just all the policies with residents of MI fall under that... either way... :bs:

In Michigan a motorcycle is not considered a motorized vehicle. No medical insurance coverage is required for motorcycles. It is an option in case you crash on your own but it's not required like it is for cars.

ahh... I thought you meant it was like a law saying that you would have no coverage in that case...

still... :bs: imo

Doesn't anyone ever read their policy when they buy it/renew it and understand what's covered and what's not? Not knocking anyone; I'm just surprised to hear this? :idk: I guess I must be anal.

I don't. :idk: I just get pissed when it's not what benifits me... :lol:

The American way! :pat:

I had to get burned before I made sure that my ins. carries a gear rider AND a custom equipment rider!

HELL YES! :lol:


no honestly... I have a very good Agent... my dad's best friend from HS... and he's helped me out with several claims... actually finding benifits I didn't know I had... like coverage for the rental truck I had to use to get my bike home.

usually I'll browse my contracts/policies/agreements... but won't decypher them completely... I'm lazy that way... but in all honesty don't get worked up unless i know for a fact that I'm being screwed

Update:

Helmet replacement is covered. I just need to give them a receipt for the new helmet purchased. :rockwoot:

Sweet. Going to get a nicer one?

SHARK!!! Hey Ed,this is kinda dirty but if you don't really want a new helmet,I'll be happy to pick one out and split it with you....if you want me to that is....just a thought. Hopefully you've decided to keep riding and if so then NEVERMIND!!!!

I'm thinking a Duhamel. :drool:

Not sure if I can even ride again. MRI results should come back today or tomorrow.

Well,I'm rooting for you AND I can find that helmet for under $400 um but since the ins co is eating it...who cares?

Yeah cost is not an issue.