Young motorcycle riders, or new bikers of any age, need to realize that they are a higher risk to insure from the standpoint of most insurance companies. Therefore, they’re more likely to pay a higher premium for their coverage. However, one of the most-obvious clues to an insurer that they need to raise your rates even more is when they look at your driving record and see that you’ve had a lot of violations. Keeping a clean record, and it might help you save money. Here’s why.
The Driving Risks of Young or New Motorcyclists
When you learn to drive, you’ll hear a lot about how you should remain committed to safety and not break the law. If nothing else, the threat of getting a costly ticket might be enough to dissuade you from trying to act irresponsible behind the wheel.
The same goes when you are a young motorcyclist. Even if you have driven cars for a while, riding motorcycles is a lot different. Therefore, it’s almost like you are a new driver all over again. Motorcycles are two-wheeled vehicles, and they often are more powerful than the average car. They therefore usually take more skill to operate, and have higher accident risks. They also often are higher risks to insure.
How your motorcycle insurance premium will compare to your car insurance premium might vary. However, the fact still exists that motorcycle riders who break the law are more likely to pay higher premiums than safe bikers.
So, if you are new to motorcycling, don’t feel tempted to become a speed demon. You are subject to the same traffic laws as (and sometimes more than) anyone else. If you commit offenses, then the violation will likely go on your driving record, and that might mean you have to pay more for your insurance.
Keeping Your Driving Record Clean
Younger bikers, because they don’t have as much experience as seasoned operators, usually pay more for their insurance in general.
However, of this subset, those who have tarnished driving records are likely to pay even more still than those who have clean records. It doesn’t matter whether you drive your motorcycle or a car—if you break the law, then your record will likely reflect it.
If your insurer can see that your driving record has a lot of violations, this is written proof that you might be a dangerous driver. With the evidence in front of them, your agent might decide that they have to raise your rates to compensate for this.
So, what can you do to keep your rates manageable, and your driving record clear?
- Never bike without insurance. It is a violation of driving law not to have Georgia’s required liability insurance. If you let your policy lapse, for any reason, penalties might result, including higher costs for your next policy. Your driving record might also reflect the charge.
- Remember that the same rules of the road apply to you as to any other driver. Furthermore, Georgia law requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. As long as you are within the borders of the Peach State, you must wear this headgear, or could face a penalty.
- Ask your insurer if you can take a defensive driving course. These courses help drivers review the most-essential rules of the road, and can help you feel more confident biking. Some insurers will even award discounts to bikers who complete the course.
- If you get a ticket that you think is unfair, you might have a right to appeal in traffic court. However, there’s no guarantee that the violation will be dismissed from your record.
Tickets and violations often remain on your driving record indefinitely. However, some might disappear over time. Others will eventually become moot in the eyes of your insurer. Therefore, after a few years, these violations might no longer affect your rates. All the same, you should always avoid making additional mistakes after you make the first one. That’s when you are more likely to see an adverse cost.