Scooter Insurance Questions from Foremost

I got this press release from Foremost insurance and thought it brought up some interesting ideas to keep in mind when purchasing insurance. While it is a press release, it is a good reminder of what to keep in mind. One thing I would add is that when comparing rates, make sure the coverages are the same. I have received quotes that left off uninsured motorist coverage. No wonder it seemed so much cheaper than my current policy that covers UM.

Top Scooter Questions for Agents: Brought to You by Foremost Insurance
(Grand Rapids, MI) – While you’re getting around town with great gas mileage, there are things you should know about scooter insurance.  Here are six questions Foremost Insurance Senior Product Manager Kevin Henry suggests you ask your agent about coverage for your scooter.
 
1.  Do I need insurance for my scooter?
 
“Some people think that their scooter is adequately covered through an endorsement on an automobile policy,” explains Henry. “Or, worse yet, they disregard coverage altogether. Both are mistakes. You should have an insurance policy that offers the coverages that are important to your specific bike and lifestyle. It’s good to keep in mind that a scooter is a motorized vehicle that is most likely excluded from your homeowner’s policy. You never know what’s going to happen, especially for liability purposes, so it’s better to be prepared and have it insured.”
 
2. Do I have coverage for my safety apparel?
 
“Helmets, goggles, gloves and any other clothing designed to minimize injury are considered safety apparel,” says Henry. “Buying these safety equipment items can add up quickly and a good policy will provide some sort of coverage for them.” 
 
3.  What discounts are available?
 
“Discounts will help you save money on the premium you pay for your policy,” states Henry. “You may qualify for a multi-policy discount if you insure more than just your scooter with the same company. Some other examples you may qualify for include a discount for renewing your policy, taking safety courses or being part of an affinity group.”
 
4. Is Towing and Roadside Assistance available?
 
“Optional Towing and Roadside Assistance coverage should be available in case your scooter breaks down,” adds Henry. “This is a great coverage to add to your policy. If you run out of gas, get a flat tire or have other mechanical problems far away from home, you will be thankful you can call someone for help knowing these services can be covered.”
 
5.  Is the type of scooter I have eligible for insurance coverage?
 
“No two scooters are alike,” explains Henry. “Whether you have a sporty, vintage or three-wheeled model like the new Piaggio MP3, it’s best to make sure the company covers it. Honda, Piaggio, Vespa® and Yamaha are just some of the major manufacturers of scooters. However, your insurance company should offer coverage on several other brands – if it doesn’t, ask your agent for a company that does.”
 
 6.  Are there any rewards for responsible riders?
 
“Special rewards are sometimes available for riders with good driving history or who follow certain safety precautions,” Henry provides. “Some companies offer to waive first accidents, increase coverage for using approved helmets or give you a break if you have a stolen vehicle recovery system installed.”
 
Foremost Insurance Group is a great source for personal property and casualty and commercial insurance. A part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, Foremost® has been a leader in the insurance industry since 1952. Foremost is headquartered in Caledonia, Michigan. To learn more about our products or share your feedback, visit www.Foremost.com

Progressive Getting Serious About Scooter Biz

Progressive Insurance is making a play for the scooter insurance business by working directly with Genuine Scooters and KYMCO. Progressive has created in-store marketing materials that dealers can share with customers including an FAQ, sample quotes and a dedicated website where consumers can get a quote. Buyers will also be able to call for quotes directly from the dealer showroom.

It's a smart move. Aligning themselves with two of the most popular scooter distributors in the US and making contact where scooterists buy their bikes gives Progressive an edge. Many new scooterists have no idea that they can/should insure their scooters, nor do they know which companies provide scooter insurance.

The Genuine site features "Flo" (Progressive's kooky spokesperson) on a Buddy. While KYMCO keeps it motorcycle-centric with their portal.

Is money the only reason to ride a scooter?

I came upon an opinion piece keepMEcurrent.com about whether or not to buy a scooter. It started out bad,

I never imagined myself capable of riding a scooter. I eschewed scooters not because I was centripetally challenged but because I had trouble understanding how any self-respecting male could ride something pastel-colored or with a name like Vespa.

But eventually, I bypassed his ignorance and got to the meat of his piece, which was that the cost of purchase + the cost of operation of a new scooter would not save him money over just driving his used car. That's true. It would take him several years to be in the black on that purchase. But, this brings the question, "Is money the only reason to ride a scooter?" I emphatically say, "Heck, no!" [well, I actually didn't say "heck" but...]

While the author did factor in scooter insurance, he didn't mention anything about contacting his auto insurance company and requesting a reduction in annual mileage on the car. If you drive over 15,000 miles a year now and then earnestly get a scooter to ride often, it may benefit you to reduce the amount of miles you report for your car. 12,000 miles used to be the average. I drove about 25K annually when I commuted from San Jose to Foster City each day for 5 years. So if I could report a marked reduction in miles it may have impacted my insurance.

That being said, he totally ignored all the other positive things that come along with scootering: reducing traffic & parking congestion, reducing the overall fuel one consumes, and just having *fun*! I've said it before and will probably say it again. Americans should look at scooters as a new mindset, a new way to approach transportation, not just some short turn way to save money. Long-term lifestyle changes are what we need in our society on many fronts, and scooters can provide some welcome positive change for the US. Perhpas looking at it as, "what am I doing for the world?" instead of "What am I doing short-term for my pocketbook?"

Protect your health care coverage

Bills in the House and Senate were introduced to close a loophole which allowed heath insurance providers to deny coverage to those who were injured during legal recreation activities such as motorcycling and ATV riding. The bills, H.R. 1076(Congress) and S. 616 (Senate)aim to fix the loophole which allows companies to deny coverage to those injured in such activities.

If you are interested in protecting your rights to enjoy legal ecreation, then contact your Congressperson or Senator to let them know how you feel. Not sure who your rep is? Then go to:
Find your Senator
Find your Congressional Representative