What Insurance Do You Need to Ship Your Motorcycle?

Many people ask themselves what insurance they need to ship their motorcycle when looking into transporting their motorcycle. The answer depends on several factors, including the type of bike, where it's going, and how much money you have available.

This article will look at the types of insurance available and which type you need when shipping your motorcycle locally or internationally.

Shipping your bike to a different destination can be tricky, especially long distances, and the cost of shipping your motorcycle can add up quickly. And if something goes wrong, you'll likely face hefty fines or, even worse, get into legal trouble.

That's where your motorbikes transport insurance comes in. However, since there are different types of insurance for motorcycles, it can be challenging to identify which particular one you need during shipping.

Continue reading to get the answers you need.

Types of Insurance Available When Shipping

There are many types of insurance available for your motorcycle. However, when it comes to shipping, you only need two types of insurance: liability and transit insurance.

Liability insurance

The shipping industry is one of the most dangerous, and accidents can happen at any time. Thus, you must ensure that your motorcycle has adequate insurance coverage for all possible scenarios. If you don't have this kind of protection, you could be on the hook for a large amount of money.

Liability insurance provides financial compensation for injuries or property damage caused by third-party negligence.

For example, if someone gets hurt because of an accident involving your motorcycle, you would be liable for paying the medical bills and other costs associated with the injury. However, if your motorcycle is covered with liability insurance, the insurance company would pay for damages.

In addition, if your motorcycle was damaged due to another driver's negligence, you would be responsible for repairing it. But with liability insurance, your insurance company pays for the repairs.

Therefore, you should always purchase minimum liability insurance to cover you in case of an accident as, unfortunately, it does not matter whether you cause the accident or not.

Transit insurance

Transit or transportation insurance is an integral part of transportation planning. You must ensure that your vehicle is covered when transporting it, whether moving within your country or across international borders.

Transit insurance is a must, especially if you're transporting your motorcycle for long distances; if you plan to travel anywhere, especially abroad, checking whether any coverage is available for your bike before leaving is essential.

Transit insurance covers all sorts of damages that might occur during transport—for example, theft, fire, mechanical breakdowns, accidents, natural disasters, etc.

If something happens to your bike, you can file a claim and get reimbursed. You can also choose to keep your bike in the destination country if it is damaged or lost.

Importance of Having Motorcycle Insurance in Shipping

Motorcycles are a great way to get around town. They're easy to ride, and they can be fun and exciting. But, what happens when you want to transport your motorcycle to another city or country?

You have to ensure that you have the necessary insurance before transporting it.

If something happens to your bike and you do not have adequate coverage, you may face financial difficulties. Here are some of the benefits of having insurance when transporting your motorcycle:

Protection from damage or theft

When you insure your motorbike, you are protecting it against damage or theft. If your vehicle gets damaged during transit, you will be covered; if your vehicle gets stolen, you will be compensated for the loss.

Protection from liability

When your motorbike is in transit, there is a possibility that it may get into an accident with other people involved. Although most shipping companies have their insurance, having additional coverage in the form of personal insurance may be handy. In addition, insurance can help you pay for costs related to damages incurred by the other party.

Protection from weather conditions

Your vehicle may be subjected to adverse weather conditions during shipping. However, if you're insured, you won't have to worry about anything, and you can rest easy knowing that your insurance will cover everything.

You should know that insurance policies vary depending on the type of motorcycle you own. This is because several factors affect the amount you pay for the insurance. These factors can include the vehicle's value, where you live, and what kind of coverage you want.

How to Buy Insurance

Transit insurance is not automatically included when you are moving your motorcycle. Instead, it is usually considered an optional add-on, leaving you to decide.

However, purchasing transit insurance when you're planning to transport your motorbike is always advisable.

You can often purchase insurance through the shipping agency you're using during the shipping process. Insurance covers the bike, but not other things like riding gear or accessories.

If the shipping company you are using doesn't offer transit insurance, it is necessary to inquire about how to get some before they ship your motorcycle.

Having insurance protects you from any unforeseen circumstances. You may not think it is necessary, but having it can protect you financially.

Although disasters rarely happen, it is good to have a plan. Your insurance may not cover all the damages incurred, but at least you would be partially compensated for them.

Finally, if you ship your motorcycle internationally, take into account that most countries require you to carry insurance when importing your motorbike. While this may vary depending on the type of motorbike you own, it is usually mandatory.

How to File a Claim

When filing a claim, make sure you follow the instructions provided by the insurance company.

You will be given a form detailing what happened during the accident. Include all the details regarding the event. This includes the date, time, location, cause of damage, and who was involved.

The insurance company has no idea what happened to the bike, so it is your responsibility to tell them. Therefore, you should be careful not to provide them with false information. If you cannot remember exactly what happened, you can ask someone else to help you.

Taking pictures can help you explain the situation. When you take pictures of the damaged area, you give the insurance company proof of what happened to your motorcycle. With these pictures, necessary actions can be taken to help you.

Also, don't forget to contact the insurance company immediately after receiving notice from the shipping company. Insurance companies understand that such events happen so they will help you in the best possible way.

Why You Should Use a Shipping Company to Ship Your Motorcycle

You might wonder why using a shipping company is necessary if you ship your motorcycle yourself. Although you can do it independently, handing this responsibility to a shipping company can be helpful. Here is a list of the top five reasons:

1) Insurance coverage and safety

When you ship your bike with a reputable shipping company, they will ensure it for you. In addition, the insurance company will pay for any damages or loss if anything happens to your motorcycle while in transit.

If you were to ship your motorcycle, there's no guarantee that you would receive compensation.

2) Convenience

With a shipping company, you do not need to worry about carrying your motorcycle around. All you need to do is pack up your belongings and leave everything at their office. Then, once your shipment has been prepared, they will safely send your bike to its final destination.

3) Save time

No doubt shipping your motorcycle yourself takes more time than having it shipped. This process also requires loads of effort. Hiring a shipping company can help you save time.

4) Reliability

A reliable shipping company will ensure that your bike arrives safe and sound at its destination. They will handle every aspect of the transit process; packing, loading, and unloading.

5) Price

Indeed, hiring a shipping company may not be the cheapest option, but it is worth it. Don't let the charges fool you. If you calculate the average costs when you ship your bike versus using a shipping company, choosing the latter may be the best option.

For example, when shipping your bike personally, you must consider certain costs like fuel costs, equipment, and other expenses. But with a shipping company, these costs are already covered. As a result, you gain peace of mind knowing that your bike is being taken care of properly.

A-1 Auto Transport

If you are looking for a motorcycle shipping company with enough experience and expertise to help you with your motorcycle shipments, A-1 Auto Transport is the shipping service for you.

We have years of experience shipping motorcycles, so you can relax knowing your bike is in good hands. In addition, we have affordable services and can ship your motorcycle locally and internationally.

We are always available if you have any questions regarding the transportation of your motorcycle. Contact us to get a free quote or to talk with one of our shipping professionals.