Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida? A motorcycle accident with property damage or bodily injury, could be devastating if your insurance company, or the insurance policy of the other motorist, doesn’t have liability coverage. Personal injury protection for motorcyclists is necessary to cover medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. While it’s not required of motorcycle owners in Florida, if you are a biker lacking liability coverage, you may be putting yourself and the drivers of other motor vehicles at risk, and get stuck with expensive medical bills. Here’s everything you need to know about motorcycle insurance in Florida. Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance In Florida? The state of Florida does not require that motorcyclists have liability insurance that protects drivers in the event of a motorcycle accident. Florida is the only state that doesn’t require motorist coverage for motorcycle owners to register their bikes. Florida also gives motorists the option of self-insuring by way of self-insurance certificate. However, drivers that go that route must be able to show they can afford to cover their own bodily injury liability without assistance from an insurance policy with personal injury protection. Car insurance is an essential purchase for motorists, but Florida doesn’t require motorcyclists to have insurance coverage. Florida Motorcycle Insurance Requirements Florida has no requirements for liability insurance when it comes to motorcycle owners. However, that doesn’t mean your driving privileges are limitless. You have to register your motorcycle, or any motor vehicle, just like you would a car. Florida residents are required to have the following: Driver’s license Registration document and plates Titling and fees paid The only other requirements for motorcycle riders who live in the state of Florida are residency requirements for registration. To be a Florida resident one must have one of the following: A job in Florida, or evidence of accepting a job A child enrolled in Florida public schools Establish a living address in Florida Motorcyclists without insurance may be responsible for their own property damage liability. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida has almost 9,000 motorcycle crashes a year. In Hillsborough County, where the large metropolitan city of Tampa is located, more than 15,000 accidents a year result in property damage. For this reason alone, it’s smart for motorcyclists to have motorcycle insurance like other motor vehicles. Florida motorcycle insurance laws allow bikers to self insure by getting a self-insurance certificate from the Bureau of Financial Responsibility. Since auto insurance isn’t required for registered motorcycles, many motorcyclists in state are driving around without a deductible that protects them from having to overpay for medical expenses. Florida law allows bikers to ride their motorcycles without insurance coverage for basic things like serious injury, vandalism, property damage or uninsured motorist coverage. How To Get Motorcycle Insurance In Florida Florida motorists who drive cars are required to have no-fault insurance, also known as personal injury protection or PIP. However, this rule doesn’t apply to bikers operating a motorcycle to get around. If you’re a homeowner with an insurance carrier that provides coverage for a lot of different situations, your insurance agent may suggest liability insurance products for your motorcycle. A motorcycle crash can be devastating, so it’s important to speak to an agent who can help you make sure you are protected from large medical bills and other expenses in the event of a personal injury or property damage. Motorcycle insurance coverage offered by a reputable insurance firm will cover things like: Medical bills from bodily injury Lost wages due to injury in a motorcycle accident Uninsured motorist coverage for other motor vehicles Funeral expenses in the event of wrongful death A motorcycle insurance policy can make sure you aren’t without a vehicle in the event your motorcycle gets damaged in an accident. In Florida, a motorcycle license is a required endorsement to be able to operate a motor vehicle, but you need insurance if you are going to ride safely. 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Find out if you have a case we could help you win Speak To a Specialist Why Should I Buy Motorcycle Insurance? If you live in Tampa or the surrounding areas in Florida, you may wonder, “why buy motorcycle insurance since it isn’t required?” For many people, self insurance isn’t a possibility because their net worth doesn’t allow for liability coverage. While Florida law makes it clear that motorcycle insurance is optional, if you get into a motorcycle accident, you can still be penalized for not carrying insurance. If you are in a motorcycle crash, you will still be asked for proof of motorcycle insurance. This can be proof of existing motorcycle insurance policy with a major insurance provider, a self insurance certificate that certifies your net worth or a responsibility certificate from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that proves the existence of a surety bond or asset that serves as insurance in the event of an accident. Failure to provide proof of coverage after an accident can lead to the following issues for the motorist in question: A suspended license or revocation of driving privileges Civil judgments and fines Criminal court charges, community service, probation or even jail time Invalidation of your tag Court orders for obtaining liability insurance We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers Contact Florin|Roebig If You’ve Been Injured In A Motorcycle Accident Florin|Roebig has a long history, winning settlements throughout the United States, as car accident attorneys for more than 30 years. If you’re a motorcycle owner looking for justice after a motorcycle crash left you with unexpected medical bills, Florin|Roebig’s award-winning legal team can help you receive compensation. Call the law firm of Florin|Roebig today for a 100% confidential a free case evaluation.