washington motorcycle insurance

Rayman · 02-02-2012, 04:24 PM

I am firm believer in insurance but not clear on the requirements for washington. Is motorcycle required in washington? I am a summertime rider and hate to pay a full year of insurance while only riding 4 or 5 months out of the year. What do you guys do?

Debi · 02-02-2012, 04:31 PM

Not mandatory here

But I keep mine insured all year just in case

OUCH360 · 02-02-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Rayman

Is motorcycle required in washington?

Yes a motorcycle is required in Washington. . .

No Insurance is not required, I like Deb keep it on it year round. Heck I go as far as getting FULL insurance with GAP coverage. If I get nailed I want a new bike out of it without having to argue with anyone.

blueline15 · 02-02-2012, 05:11 PM

Just keep in mind that if you do not have insurance on your ride, you can not legally ride outside of the state.

You would be required to have insurance in Oregon or Idaho. You don't get a pass on insurance in those states because you are Washington registered.

tyrklnr · 02-02-2012, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by blueline15

Just keep in mind that if you do not have insurance on your ride, you can not legally ride outside of the state.

You would be required to have insurance in Oregon or Idaho. You don't get a pass on insurance in those states because you are Washington registered.

yeah, ummmmm insurance but no helmets.mmkay. on a serious note, on my nice bike full coverage; just in case. on my old stuff-nope.

BigDZX10R · 02-02-2012, 06:19 PM

Most companies do a "winter plan" that is almost nothing for storage in the bad months, but yes its a good idea to have it even if its not required

Dardas · 02-02-2012, 06:37 PM

For what it's worth, I usually pick up insurance for the summer months and for those times I'm riding out of state. I can also transfer the policy from bike to bike to bike. I then cancel the policy for winter. That keeps costs reasonable.

blueline15 · 02-02-2012, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by tyrklnr

yeah, ummmmm insurance but no helmets.mmkay. on a serious note, on my nice bike full coverage; just in case. on my old stuff-nope.

It's just the law. If you don't like Idaho's laws, go be a politician over there.

tyrklnr · 02-02-2012, 06:45 PM

nope. that would require me to live there.

Jims08Z06 · 02-02-2012, 06:45 PM

I do full coverage in the spring/summer/fall. Then when they put that "Pit Run" plus chemical on the roads; I suspend everything except comp. That keeps it within reason...AJ

Texasl · 02-02-2012, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Rayman

I am firm believer in insurance but not clear on the requirements for washington. Is motorcycle required in washington? I am a summertime rider and hate to pay a full year of insurance while only riding 4 or 5 months out of the year. What do you guys do?

There is a bit of a misconception about insurance on motorcycles. While it is true that RCW 46.30.020 exempts motorcycles from carrying liability insurance, RCW 46.29 does address financial responsibility, containing no exemptions for motorcycles. There is no requirement of financial responsibility until the accident, and then the requirement kicks in.

Bottom line, anyone who is not independently wealthy riding without insurance is a fool. You place your property and your family at financial risk. If you are only riding during "riding season" get a policy that can go inactive during the winter. Just keep in mind that most of those products cannot be brought back into force early. Check with an independent agent or the state insurance commissioner for the best information.

Chrishil54 · 02-02-2012, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by texasl

bottom line, anyone who is not independently wealthy riding without insurance is a fool. You place your property and your family at financial risk. If you are only riding during "riding season" get a policy that can go inactive during the winter. Just keep in mind that most of those products cannot be brought back into force early. Check with an independent agent or the state insurance commissioner for the best information.

Jims08Z06 · 02-02-2012, 07:23 PM

While I agree with the statement, cannot afford, to not have insurance. {although I would leave out the fool part} Liability would at least cover yourself in the event of your being at fault in an accident. We have a site sponsor "Spec Insurance." Might want to give him a call...AJ

ApexHack · 02-02-2012, 07:52 PM

Insurance is a scam.

superlund · 02-03-2012, 07:30 AM

No, you need insurance. Here is my take,
You do not need a proof of insurance if you get pulled over, the cops won't ask for it but keep in mind that you still need insurance, if you get in to an accident, you can get sued although it is very rare that a biker is at fault.

I don't have one, I know i should be practicing what i preach but this is what i have been told by a state trooper.

Andy Capp · 02-03-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Texasl

There is a bit of a misconception about insurance on motorcycles. While it is true that RCW 46.30.020 exempts motorcycles from carrying liability insurance, RCW 46.29 does address financial responsibility, containing no exemptions for motorcycles. There is no requirement of financial responsibility until the accident, and then the requirement kicks in.

Bottom line, anyone who is not independently wealthy riding without insurance is a fool. You place your property and your family at financial risk. If you are only riding during "riding season" get a policy that can go inactive during the winter. Just keep in mind that most of those products cannot be brought back into force early. Check with an independent agent or the state insurance commissioner for the best information.

This should be stickied in both new users and motorcycle talk, IMHO. It still amazes me that people that have done an MSF course still claim there is no insurance requirement without stating the financial responsibilities of an accident. Maybe is should be made clearer.

For those that didn't click the links or bother with insurance, it seems to me having access to 85,000 bucks would be a good idea! Double that if you want to ride again after a claim is made against you.

1shinysideup · 02-03-2012, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Debi

Not mandatory here

But I keep mine insured all year just in case

I fall in to this category

thrifty · 02-03-2012, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by ApexHack

Insurance is a scam.

Until you need it......

oldandslow · 02-03-2012, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by thrifty

Until you need it......

A few years ago I was taken out by a left turning F150 with state minimum ins (25000). Less than half of my weeklong hospital stay, and then there was three months off work with a broken femur and two btoken arms. The extra few buck a month I was being scammed out of for higher limits and underinsured motorist led me to a claims adjuster from my ins. company telling me to send her all bills and let her know if I needed anything to cover expenses while it was settling out. Without that policy my daughter and I would have been couching it with family and losing everything.

boogieman065 · 02-03-2012, 11:56 AM

You could just just insurance for the season you're riding if your bike is tucked away safely during the winter.

I called Progressive 1 month before I moved to Georgia and they said just buy the insurance, cancel it when I move and get the 11 months refunded back into my account. I buy and sell bikes often and they have no issue with me having insurance with them for a few months.

Wonder if this is bad for my credit...


02-02-2012, 04:24 PM	#1
Rayman Endorsed Joined: Jul 2009 From: puyallup, wa I Ride: 2007 gsxr 600	washington motorcycle insurance I am firm believer in insurance but not clear on the requirements for washington. Is motorcycle required in washington? I am a summertime rider and hate to pay a full year of insurance while only riding 4 or 5 months out of the year. What do you guys do? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 04:31 PM	#2
Debi Superbiker Joined: Apr 2009 From: Renton, WA I Ride: 2005 Suzuki DRZ400SM , 2003 GasGas EC250(sold) 2005 KTM450SMR 1977 Suzuki PE 250 and one bad ass Truck hehe	Not mandatory here But I keep mine insured all year just in case __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 05:11 PM	#4
blueline15 Novice Racer Joined: Aug 2008 From: Where the snow falls Blog Entries: 3 I Ride: hide yo' keys, hide yo' bikes	Just keep in mind that if you do not have insurance on your ride, you can not legally ride outside of the state. You would be required to have insurance in Oregon or Idaho. You don't get a pass on insurance in those states because you are Washington registered. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 06:19 PM	#6
BigDZX10R Licensed Joined: May 2009 From: Spokane.Wa I Ride: "10 ZX10 Ninja, 09zx6R, '08 ZX10R sold	Most companies do a "winter plan" that is almost nothing for storage in the bad months, but yes its a good idea to have it even if its not required __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 06:37 PM	#7
Dardas Permit Joined: Apr 2007 From: Seattle, WA / Dublin, Ireland I Ride: Yamaha R1, Ducati S2R, Star Stratoliner, Norton 850 Commando, Suzuki 250	For what it's worth, I usually pick up insurance for the summer months and for those times I'm riding out of state. I can also transfer the policy from bike to bike to bike. I then cancel the policy for winter. That keeps costs reasonable. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 06:45 PM	#9
tyrklnr Chicken Strips Joined: Apr 2011 From: eastsiiiiide, wa I Ride: APE	nope. that would require me to live there. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 06:45 PM	#10
Jims08Z06 Knee Dragger Joined: May 2009 From: WA I Ride: 08, R1	I do full coverage in the spring/summer/fall. Then when they put that "Pit Run" plus chemical on the roads; I suspend everything except comp. That keeps it within reason...AJ __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 07:23 PM	#13
Jims08Z06 Knee Dragger Joined: May 2009 From: WA I Ride: 08, R1	While I agree with the statement, cannot afford, to not have insurance. {although I would leave out the fool part} Liability would at least cover yourself in the event of your being at fault in an accident. We have a site sponsor "Spec Insurance." Might want to give him a call...AJ __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-02-2012, 07:52 PM	#14
ApexHack Chicken Strips Joined: Jun 2007 From: Seattle I Ride: YZF750, 1KRR, HawkGT, YSR50, Shadow 1100(parting), Vulcan 1500, EX500, CB650	Insurance is a scam. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-03-2012, 07:30 AM	#15
superlund Licensed Joined: Jun 2011 From: Lynnwood, Washington Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: ZX12R with an extended swing arm in the twisties	No, you need insurance. Here is my take, You do not need a proof of insurance if you get pulled over, the cops won't ask for it but keep in mind that you still need insurance, if you get in to an accident, you can get sued although it is very rare that a biker is at fault. I don't have one, I know i should be practicing what i preach but this is what i have been told by a state trooper. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-03-2012, 11:56 AM	#20
boogieman065 Peg Dragger Joined: Jun 2007 From: Seattle, WA I Ride: GSXR K5	You could just just insurance for the season you're riding if your bike is tucked away safely during the winter. I called Progressive 1 month before I moved to Georgia and they said just buy the insurance, cancel it when I move and get the 11 months refunded back into my account. I buy and sell bikes often and they have no issue with me having insurance with them for a few months. Wonder if this is bad for my credit... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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