With spring on the horizon, some of you may be finding yourselves thinking about getting a motorcycle license. After all, motorcycles offer great fuel economy, easy parking, and a unique driving experience.

For most people, your motorcycle journey will begin with some rider safety and operation courses. Knowing how to safely operate a motorcycle and the unique laws that may apply to you are important.

Operating a motorcycle in most states will require you to have a driver’s license and some will require a motorcycle permit. This permit will involve you passing an exam for motorcycle operation and a rider’s skill test. For those under the age of 18, you’ll also likely need your parent’s consent.

To find a class, you can search for your local DMV on the web and look there for motorcycle safety courses. Most states have adopted the Motorcycle Safety Foundations curriculum. The classes will take around 15 hours to complete and at the end, you will possibly find an insurance carrier who will give you a discount for completing the course.

Other common questions regarding the operation of a motorcycle include:

Am I required to have insurance? Not all states require motorcycle operators have insurance. It is highly recommended that you do carry insurance to not only protect yourself financially but also to provide insurance protection to those you may injure while operating a motorcycle.

Do I have to wear a helmet? Many states do not require helmets for all riders, however, some are also age-dependent. To find out which states have motorcycle helmet laws, visit the iihs.org website.

My motorcycle doesn’t go very fast, do I still need a permit?  If a motorcycle’s speedometer is listed as less than 60 MPH then it is possible that you do not need a motorcycle permit to operate this. Check with your local Department of Licensing to find out more.

Having motorcycle insurance is recommended. Typically the cost of a motorcycle insurance policy isn’t as expensive as an automobile policy. There are many factors that determine the cost of motorcycle insurance: where you live, your driving record, your age, and marital status, what type of motorcycle you own, whether you own a home, even your credit score can all have an impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. The best way to find out what your premium will be is to ask a licensed agent in our office to provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.

Get Your Motorcycle Insurance Quote Today

Our licensed staff is ready to help you get multiple quotes for your Motorcycle Insurance. Because we’re an independent insurance agent we can shop from multiple insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.

When it comes to auto insurance it seems like all we hear about is discounts. But what discounts are there and who is eligible for them? Let’s take a closer look.

• Bundle Discounts: Bundling multiple policies like auto and home or auto and renters with the same insurance carrier can save you some money. The logic is that the more policies you have, the longer you will stay insured with the carrier.
• Multi-vehicle Discount: If you insure more than one car on the same policy, you’re eligible for a discount. Any car is eligible for the discount if it is on the same policy.
• Teen Driver Discount: Teen drivers are expensive to insure, there is no way around it. Fortunately, some carriers are more forgiving and give you a discount if they’re on your policy.
• Good Student: The logic is that a smart student makes a smart driver. If your student driver maintains a 3.0 or better GPA, you may be eligible for a discount. This is great for parents needing to motivate their children.
• Safe driver (accident-free): Many major insurance carriers will award safe driving discounts to drivers who have been accident-free for several years. The criteria vary between insurance carriers.
• Military: Active and veteran military members are often eligible for discounted auto insurance. Ask your insurance agent to see if you qualify.
• Early quote/signing: If you are looking to change insurance carriers or upgrade your auto insurance, getting a quote (and signing up) before your current policy has expired may get you a discount. You may need to get a quote within a certain number of days before your policy expiration, so check with your agent.
• Paid-in-full: You’ll see the discount reflected in the price when you are presented with your options for paying your auto insurance policy. Paying off the policy in full will cost you a little less than paying every month.
• Paperless: Don’t want to get a paper statement? Great, you get a discount. Most major insurance carriers offer discounts for customers who choose to do automatic billing and receive emails rather than paper statements.
• Auto-Pay: When you opt for automatic payments for your insurance whether by credit card, checking draft, or debit, you can earn a discount.
• Loyalty: Staying with the same insurance carrier year over year could earn you a discount for every loyalty milestone you hit. Typically, these rewards not only include a discount on the cost of your policy, but they can also include accident forgiveness.
• Tracking Devices: Many companies now offer tracking devices for your vehicle. If you’re okay with your insurance company monitoring your driving behavior, you can earn a discount.

More important than insurance savings is having the right protection. That’s why it is important to reach out to a licensed agent in our office to review your coverage. Getting the cheapest policy isn’t always the best decision if you have assets to protect. Insurance quotes take just a few minutes but the right advice and consultation about the right coverage can save you a lifetime of hardship.