Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Washington State?
Starting July 28th, 2019 the answer is yes. In April 2019 the Washington state legislature passed and the Governor signed an amendment removing the loophole in the insurance law exempting motorcycles from being required to have state minimum liability insurance.
Independent Motorcycle Insurance Companies
- Allstate Insurance
- Dairyland Insurance
- Progressive Insurance
- Nationwide Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
Types of Motorcycles We Insure
Broad Acceptance – Yakima Valley Insurance offers coverage for most motorcycles, including:
- cruisers
- sport bikes
- touring bikes
- dirt bikes
- mopeds
- scooters
- ATVs
- Snowmobiles
- Custom motorcycles
- Antique motorcycles
Specialized Coverages
We provide coverage for your specific needs, with policy options including:
- Accessory coverage
- Carried Contents
- Enhanced Injury Protection
- Bodily Injury/Property Damage Liability
- Medical Payments
- OEM Parts Guarantee
- Physical Damage Coverage
- Rental Vehicle coverage
- Transport Trailer coverage
- Roadside Assistance
- New Safety Riding Apparel Coverage
- Total Loss coverage
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
- Trip Interruption
- On-road coverage for off-road vehicles
Competitive Rates and Features
Yakima Valley Insurance has great rates for virtually every motorcycle on the road today, including custom motorcycles and motorcycles 25 years old and older. Your can also take advantage of our many discounts:
- Advance Quote
- Homeowner
- Multi-Policy
- Multi-Vehicle
- Responsible Driver
- Safety Course
- Motorcycle Endorsement
- Paid-in-Full
- Prompt Payment
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- Anti-Lock Brake
- Claim Free Renewal
- Transfer discount
- Disappearing Deductible
- Small Claim Forgiveness
- No depreciation on partial losses
- Large accident forgiveness
*coverage’s and discounts may be optional and subject to availability and qualification
Motorcycles and Road Safety
Even though motorcycles account for less than 1% of all miles driven in the United States they account for 14% of all traffic fatalities according to the National Safecty Council.
There are two main reasons that riding a motorcycle’s are so risky. The first, is that another vehicle simply doesn’t see the motorcycle at all, this accounts for more than 50% of all motorcycle accidents according the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The main reason cited is the motorcycle is riding in the blind spot of the other vehicle. Also due to the lack of size of the motorcycle they are often overlooked.
The second leading cause of all motorcycle accidents are involving left hand turns. More than a third of all motorcycle collisions with another vehicle occur at intersections when the other vehicle is making a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle, according to the (NHTSA). The leading reason again for this is failing to see the motorcycle, secondly the motorcycle’s rate of speed can easily be misjudged causing the accident.
Recommended Safety Strategies
For Motorcycles:
- Wearing a helmet – This seems obvious but many states still do not require this. Studies have shown that motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent and reduce the risk of death by 42 percent.
- Avoid Riding in Blind Spots – Defensive riding is the best approach, however simply not riding in another’s blind spot will help you avoid a collision.
- Use the 2 Mississippi rule – If you tailing another vehicle, your chances of avoiding a collision are greatly reduced. Give yourself plenty of space.
- Be Prepared to Break – Always be aware of the situation and use your rear breaks first for hard, emergency breaking
- Check Your Mirrors Often – This will help with your surroundings, again being aware and driving defensive is the best strategy! Be Safe!!