US motorcycle insurance
 

Me and my bike (both non-US) will arrive L.A. next weekend. Regarding US motorcycle insurance: Can this easily be arranged on arrival, or would you suggest I prearrange it through e.g. Motorcycle Express?

I have never used Motorcycle Express but it is almost impossible for me to get insurance when I ride up from Mexico to the States. I am a UK citizen with Mexican Residency amd a bike with Mexican plates. I usually go through with no insurance but the last time got insurance online but it was only for Mexican residents. I would therefore recommend Motorcycle Express. I checked them out last time I went but it all seemed too complicated and was more expensive than what I was able to get.
You could try Progressive Insurance but I emailed them and they never answered. If anybody knows an easy cheap insurer please tell me.

We insured our two French-registered BMW 650s through Progressive (http://progressive.com/). The VIN number was sufficient, they didn't ask for a US registration. The thing you need, though, is a US address so they can calculate your rate (which depends on your ZIP code) and mail you the original proof of insurance. Our cost was $220/year for 2 motorcycles on minimum coverage for 2 experienced riders in San Francisco (which is considered a high-risk area, I guess), or $120 for 1 motorcycle. You might need to sign up for a 1-year contract but you can cancel anytime and get a refund for the rest of the coverage period. I think you can also opt to pay every 2, 3 or 6 months.

Note that they might not be able to cover you if you are riding on a bike that's not imported in the US. Otherwise it's cheap and straightforward, you just need a US address. If you are arriving at the same time as your bike, you can even print a 30-day temporary card from their web site before you leave and you'll be ready to hit the road as soon as you land.

Happy riding!
Pierre - Photobiker

Take a photo of THIS!
 

Thanks for your advice Pierre. It was a good one. For a US$100.000 coverage Motorcycle Express ask for US$521 for six months, while Progressive is happy with US$75 for a whole year. Which company shall I choose? Whiiiiccchhh coooooo ....

Thanks again Pierre!


Garrydymond, Progressive was very easy. You do not need to talk to anybody. It took about fifteen minutes from I entered their website till I had the proof of insurance in my hand.

I've used Motorcycle Express twice now, very efficient and a bit expensive though.

Motorcycle Express has a lot of advantages: It's simple, it's fast, the folks there always get the job done right and get the documents sent out by courier promptly. They are more expensive than doing it yourself, but it's a bit like staying in a hotel vs. setting up camp: You pay more, and in return, save time, avoid trouble, and there are no surprises.

One compromise I have used occasionally (for European insurance) is to buy a month of coverage from Motorcycle Express for about $200 or so, then ride the bike to an ADAC office in Germany, and buy coverage for the rest of the summer for $25 a month. It's the same level of coverage, the only difference is that I can get the Motorcycle Express coverage on 48 hours notice from anywhere in the world just by sending a fax, but to get the nice cheap ADAC coverage, I have to show up in person at an ADAC office in Germany.

It probably works the same in North America - once you figure out where to go, you will probably be able to get cheaper coverage on your own. But if you don't know where to go, or don't have the time to do it, I wholeheartedly recommend Motorcycle Express.

BTW, I had a claim once (bike fell over into the ditch), and the folks at Motorcycle Express went out of their way to get the claim processed and get me back on the road as fast as possible. Heck, it was better service than what I get from my insurance company back in Canada!

Michael

Hi Ericks, just looked at the Progressive site and noted that they don't seem t do coverage for Canada, just in case you were intending to venture up North...:cool4:

Hi Pottsy

Indeed I do, and funny you should ask just now because I phoned Progressive two days ago about the same issue. They said "no worries" and that they would send me a document that states that my insurance is also valid in Canada. No extra charges.

Sweet! I think i'll take a closer look at their policies... ho, ho!