Automobile and Motorcycle Insurance Tips

Robert J. Hauer Jr - SiebenCarey "Know Your Rights" AttorneySeptember 02, 2016

Automobile and Motorcycle Insurance Tips:

Liability coverage protects you if you (or another person driving your car with your permission) injure or kill someone or damage property. You should carry as much liability coverage as you can comfortably afford because damage claims today are sometimes settled for millions. State minimums don't come close to covering the cost of a serious accident.

AUTOMOBILES

During our representation of clients seriously injured in automobile accidents a troubling pattern has emerged.  More and more accidents have at-fault drivers with low limits of liability coverage.  Part of this trend is caused by individuals buying automobile insurance online without consulting an agent or listening to a television spokesman who sells price instead of protection.  In order to better protect you and your family we recommend you carry the following coverages on your family automobile(s):

  • $250,000/500,000 liability;
  • $250,000/500,000 uninsured motorist coverage; and
  • $250,000/500,000 underinsured motorist coverage. 


On average, the additional annual cost per car to increase your policy to those limits is $50-80.  By making these changes you set a floor of $250,000 to compensate you for serious injuries you could sustain in an automobile crash.

MOTORCYCLES

Unlike the automobile policy, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are not required for motorcycles.  You have to request your insurance agent to add those coverages to your policy.  Following a Supreme Court decision in December of 1989 that allowed a motorcycle driver to access the uninsured motorist coverage on his personal automobile, the 1990 Legislature amended the law to provide the ONLY uninsured or underinsured motorist coverages available to the owner of a motorcycle is the coverages purchased for that motorcycle; the owner could not access their personal automobile insurance.  There is a way to avoid this statute; transfer the title of the motorcycle to a spouse/family member.  This allows the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages on the family automobile to become available to the primary driver of the motorcycle.

As always, we welcome your questions.  You can call a car accident or motorcycle accident attorney at SiebenCarey at 612-333-4500.

Client Reviews

out of 200 reviews
Renee Goneau

SiebenCarey is a great personal injury law firm that really cares about their clients.  Highly recommend!

St. Paul Local 12

Thanks for everything, your experience paid off BIG!!!

Jazz Smith

SiebenCarey is a professional and dedicated law organization that help accident victim.

Morgan Petoletti

My husband had an amazing experience with this firm. They listened and took the time to understand our case.

Carly R.

My boyfriend was hit by a car and while all the attorneys he talked to said he didn't have much chance of a case, SiebenCarey took him on and gave him a fighting chance. He's still recovering, but SiebenCarey is making it a lot easier.

Daniel Ball

Really good professionals, they solved my issues in no time using the most impressive and advanced approach. Really good, highly recommended.

Jesse Bukal

In need of a personal injury attorney? Well you're if you're reading this you're in the right place. You'd be hard pressed to find more competent attorneys than the ones here at SiebenCarey.

They took my case to trial and an amazing job presenting the facts and fighting for my best interests! Three years ago I was unsure of what my future would bring; now that it's over I can rest a bit easier. With SiebenCarey as my counsel, I believe I had the absolute BEST representation a person could've asked for. I knew that I wanted the absolute best representation when searching for an attorney to handle my case and I most definitely received it.

If you need a personal injury attorney, look no further. Can't recommend highly enough.

Jenna L. at Insider Pages

I have had nothing but great service with these guys. They are very knowledgable on a wide variety of subjects and topic. They will help you with any case you need!

Eric Petoletti

Even though I was states away and could only talk on the phone, they listened and did everything that they could to win my case. I felt like I was a part of the family.

Roger and Merle Landro

We wanted to thank you so much for all that you did for us. This was a very difficult time in our life and you made it possible for us to get through it with a good outcome! Angela and Jane were also so good and helpful to us. We will never forget everything your firm did to be there for us. Life can have some difficult times, but people like you make it possible to have better days! - Roger & Merle Landro

Award Winning Know Your Rights Attorneys

Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists

8 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, Minnesota Bar Association
3 Board Certified Trial Advocates, National Board of Trial Advocacy.

2022 Super Lawyers

Also awarded in:
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

2022 Best Lawyers in America©

Also awarded in:
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

2022 U.S. News Best Law Firms

Also awarded in:
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

Attorneys of the Year

5 of our attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year