Category: Motorcycle Insurance

While in some areas of the country, it remains warm enough to ride a motorcycle everywhere, in Altoona, PA, by the time you read this, it will already have dropped to the twenties at least one night of the week. It’s time to prepare a motorcycle for winter storage and switch to the bus or Uber.

Proper maintenance and storage help the bike operate safely, which can reduce the number of accidents and, thus, claims filed. Today’s blog from H. Dean Allison Insurance covers the most important maintenance you can perform on your motorbike.

Planning Your Bike Storage

Decide where you’ll park your motorcycle for winter. It needs to go indoors in a garage environment. Purchase a motorcycle stand for the bike to help it maintain its proper stance while parked over winter.

Cleaning the Bike before Storing It

Wash, dry, and detail the motorcycle before storage. After the bike dries, a wax or sealant coating can help protect its finish. Place a cover over the bike to keep dust off it.

Throughout the Winter

At least once per month, start the motorcycle and let it warm up. Ignore the websites that tell you to remove the battery. That’s not necessary. Instead, connect it to a trickle charger that controls battery charging so it can’t overcharge or undercharge.

Fill the Fuel Tank

Fill the gas tank with high-grade fuel. Add a fuel stabilizer.

Contact Us Today

Call or email H. Dean Allison Insurance for a motorcycle insurance review before you store your bike for winter in Altoona, PA. Let us help you properly insure it before your next spring ride.

Comprehensive motorcycle coverage includes protection against non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and fire. Understanding what is covered under your policy is critical before filing a claim in Altoona, PA.

Immediate Steps After an Incident

After experiencing an incident, ensure your safety and secure your motorcycle if possible. If your motorcycle was vandalized or stolen, promptly report it to the police.

Collecting Essential Evidence

Gather as much evidence as you can related to the incident. Take clear, detailed photos and videos of the damage. If the motorcycle was stolen, document the location and any potential witnesses. This evidence is crucial for substantiating your claim and providing your insurer with a comprehensive view.

Contacting Your Insurance Provider

Be ready to provide the insurance company with all the details, including the time, location, and circumstances. Timely notification is critical to initiating the claims process and ensuring you meet any policy deadlines.

Understanding the Claims Process

Familiarize yourself with your insurer’s claims process. Each company may have different requirements and procedures, so understanding these can help you navigate the process more efficiently. Ask your insurer about the expected timeline, required documentation, and any steps you must take.

Working with Law Enforcement

If your motorcycle was stolen or vandalized, file a report with law enforcement. Provide your insurer with a copy of the report to support your claim and validate the incident.

Ensuring Proper Valuation

Obtain repair estimates from reputable shops to ensure your motorcycle is properly valued. Your insurer may require multiple estimates.

H. Dean Allison Insurance Helps Guide You

H. Dean Allison Insurance is here to guide you and demonstrate how motorcycle insurance can save you in the long run. Our team serves the Altoona, PA region. Get in touch with us today.

Most states require drivers to carry motorcycle insurance to legally operate a motorcycle. However, similar to auto insurance, there are different forms of coverage, and not all forms of coverage include everything. The state requirements for motorcycle insurance will vary according to where you live. Our team at H. Dean Allison Insurance understands that navigating motorcycle insurance can be a bit difficult for drivers. As a result, our team is dedicated to helping Altoona, PA drivers understand state requirements and what’s covered.

What kind of motorcycle insurance is legally required to drive in Pennsylvania?

All motorcycle owners must carry liability coverage to operate their motorcycles in the state of Pennsylvania. Liability coverage would have to meet the state’s minimum requirements. Liability coverage must include $15,000 per person for injury and death, as well as $30,000 for more than one injury or death. Also, drivers are required to carry $5,000 worth of property damage coverage. Drivers can carry more than the state minimum coverage levels if they need or want to. Drivers should understand that liability coverage doesn’t cover the drivers’ injuries, motorcycles, or property. 

Will motorcycle insurance pay for the restoration of my motorcycle if it’s vandalized?

It depends. Similar to car insurance, liability insurance doesn’t cover the repair of your motorcycle, property, or any personal injuries you sustain. You’d have to purchase comprehensive coverage to pay for any damage your motorcycle incurred from theft, vandalism, and other forms of damage. Collision insurance will be needed to pay for any damage your motorcycle sustains from an accident, as well as your personal injuries. However, an insurance agent can answer any questions you may have regarding different kinds of insurance and what’s covered.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Call us at H. Dean Allison Insurance in Altoona, PA. We’d be happy to help you explore your options. 

Pennsylvania offers some of the best motorcycle riding in the country. You can ride through charming villages, along wide highways, and next to stunning mountains. However, not everyone wants to brave the winter months on a motorcycle. Is it possible to save money by only insuring your motorcycle during the months when you ride?

If you are still paying off your motorcycle, you are probably required to keep active insurance until the loan is paid off. At H. Dean Allison Insurance, we can help you see if you are eligible for various discounts on your Altoona, PA policy.

Downsides to Canceling Your Policy

Your best value for motorcycle insurance is an annual policy. That is how to find the best overall rates. If you have an annual policy and cancel it during the times when you don’t ride, you may face penalties and/or fees. When you pick up your insurance again, you may not get as good a deal. The company may also simply choose not to insure you again.

You Face Risks Even When You Aren’t Riding

As long as you own your motorcycle, there is a chance that something could happen to it. Even sitting in a garage, your motorcycle could be damaged by another vehicle or from a fire or another natural disaster. There is always a possibility of theft or vandalism, neither of which would probably be covered under your homeowners or renters insurance.

For most people, it makes more sense to keep the policy active even during winter months. We may still be able to find other discounts for you in Altoona, PA, such as discounts for bundling your policies or having a good driving record. Call H. Dean Allison Insurance today so we can get you started.

Purchasing a motorcycle can be exciting. However, with a new bike purchase also comes the responsibility of having to select motorcycle insurance. Here at H. Dean Allison Insurance, helping residents in the Altoona, PA area with their motorcycle insurance needs, we have seen many people make some mistakes when purchasing their motorcycle insurance. We want to help you avoid those mistakes.

Here are three mistakes that you can avoid when buying motorcycle insurance:

Assuming Your Auto Insurance Policy Covers Your Motorcycle 

One of the mistakes that people make when they purchase a new motorcycle is assuming that their auto insurance covers their motorcycle. This is not the case. You need a stand-alone motorcycle insurance policy if you own a motorcycle, not an auto insurance policy. Additionally, if you have an operator’s insurance policy that does not typically extend to motorcycles, so you will need a policy as well. 

Not Knowing How Much Coverage You Need

Another common mistake that people make when purchasing motorcycle insurance is not knowing how much coverage they need. The coverage amount that you need for a motorcycle is not always the same as the coverage amounts that you have for auto insurance policies. Do your research or work with an insurance agent to find out how much coverage you truly need. 

Selecting a Low Insured Declared Value

The final mistake that people make when purchasing motorcycle insurance is selecting a low-insured declared value amount. This is the maximum amount you will be paid if your bike is totaled or stolen. Undervaluing your motorcycle may result in a lower premium amount, but it will not help you if your bike is a total loss and you need to replace it. 

Reach Out To Us

Are you looking to purchase motorcycle insurance in the greater Altoona, PA area? If so, the insurance agents at H. Dean Allison Insurance are here to help you with motorcycle insurance purchasing needs. We can answer any questions you have or help you find the right policy limits for your needs. Call us today to learn more or to get started.