Insurance

OFF THE WIRE

In our Abate region we regularly have our legislative officer re-inform folks about doing exactly what you prescribe. We have even had insurance agents come to our meetings for Q&A.
What I am truly interested in is how to stop corporate insurance companies making record profits when everyone else is NOT, from using those profits to lobby legislators to create law that diminishes our liberties for the sake of increasing their profits. And, under the illusion made to the public of lowering their rates. Or, the illusion of keeping their rates from rising.
I would just like to discuss this; but it keep it a bit more focused on motorcyclists rights….simply because what you are asking is a really big problem and I would like to bring back down to our level. When I first starting talking to biker groups about insurance, one part of the room would you could hear “fuck” like I was about to go into a sales pitch and then the other part of the room you could hear “fuck” like they wanted to stuff me into a trash can to get it over with. The fact that your organization is taking the initiative to bring insurance people in to LEARN about insurance is outstanding. For some reason insurance companies, screw with motorcycle coverage. So to fight back, educate yourself and your fellow bikers about their insurance coverage.
I take my profession as a great responsibility. You come to me because when the shit hits the fan you want someone in your corner, not a piece of paper. I have a strong passion for bikers being treated fairly and it is one of the few things that really pisses me off; when I find out about a crooked agent or company, especially when that biker is seating is a wheelchair missing a leg. So we learn to fight back and take control.
Step 1. Do what you are doing, learn, ask questions. If you don’t understand, make them show you in the policy exactly where there is coverage. And READ your policy
Step 2. If your agent doesn’t understand uninsured or underinsured and why a biker needs the coverage, get a new agent.
Step 3. Don’t be shy about challenging your friends about their coverage.
Okay so now you have some knowledge. You now know if you are getting screwed and you ask, why are the insurance companies allowed to play with my coverage’s? Insurance Services Office was created to help standardize forms. The reason for this is that the average person can not tell the difference in their policies. I would hammer the Insurance Services Office and ask him why motorcycle insurance policies are not standardized like homeowners or auto? Now remember insurance companies are State regulated. So now you hammer your State Legislature. They are truly the ones who are causing the financial impact by not enforcing (the insurance companies) to offer you the right coverage to begin with. Making bikers buy medical insurance when the basic motorcycle policy is flawed is bullshit. The bodily injury costs come from cars hitting us not us hitting cars. If bikers gets screwed on uninsured and underinsured coverage, then no wonder it may go back onto the state.
It is the education process that has to come first. Besides the uninsured/underinsured; most motorcycle policies will not cover motorcycle rental, yet most auto policies will. Another flaw, at the very least the common sense items that most think is covered should be clearly documented as not being covered; not hidden into some wording created by a corporate legal team.
If the bikers can accomplish this, they will have helped their fellow brother and will have shown the state they are a force to reckon with
One last thing; while fighting for the right motorcycle insurance coverage; hammer your State Insurance Commissioner as well. Most want to grow up and be Governor and they can get things done…remember insurance companies are STATE regulated and they are regulated by the Insurance Commissioner with the help of your State Legislature
Hope that helps
Your Brother in Arms
Mac