Insurance premiums are determined by a combination of many items including age, driving record, how long you have been riding a motorcycle, the type of motorcycle and the area you are in. Let's look at these one at a time:

• There is nothing we can do about our age - at least not that I know of. The older you are the less you are going to pay for insurance.
• Your driving record is something you can do something about - like not getting tickets for speeding or driving without a license. Obviously, the absence of infractions keeps your premiums lower.
• The length of time that you have had a motorcycle endorsement on your license the lower your policy premiums. The insurance industry recognizes that the more you ride a motorcycle the more skilled you are and better able you are to avoid an accident.
• Usually, a bullet bike costs more to insure than a cruiser motorcycle.
• If you live in a rural area versus a city your premium will be lower.

A lot of the factors that go into determining your insurance premium are beyond your control, however there are a number of things you can do to decrease your insurance costs:

• keep you record clear of accidents, speeding tickets or other infractions and often insurance companies will decrease the premium on your next renewal.
• Take a riders safety class. Often insurers will give you a break on the premium if you can demonstrate (present a graduation card) showing you have completed a qualifying class. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has an excellent resource for finding a program near you. Besides, it is the right thing to do.
• Tell the insurer that you store your bike in a secure location in the off season - like your garage. Consider installing an anti-theft device on your motorcycle such as Lojack for motorcycles.
• Consider insuring all of your vehicles with the same insurer because they often grant a discounts for multiple vehicles.
• Consider only purchasing coverage for teh times you ride your bike.

Illinois: Herrin Police Chief Stu Ridings said they are investigating whether or not an additional vehicle was involved in an accident Saturday that sent six people to the hospital. According to a press release, Herrin Police responded to the crash involving three motorcycles and one passenger car at about 9:54 p.m. Saturday near 3029 South Park Ave. The drivers of the motorcycles were Ronald E. Whitecotton, 32, of Colp, Rory E. Wright, 38, of Carbondale and Jesse T. Morris, 30, of Buckner. The driver of the passenger vehicle was Jeanne F. Todd, 77, of Carterville.

This article prompted me to write about hit and run drivers.  Let's assume that you are cruising along the highway minding your own business when a car comes out of nowhere, sideswipes you, causes you to crash, and takes off.  There are no witnesses.  The offending vehicle disappears into the sunset never to be heard of again.  You are the victim of a hit and run.  What are you to do?

First and foremost get yourself cared for.  Hopefully someone calls 911 and the ambulance responds and takes you to the hospital.  "Luckily" you have only suffered a fractured femur and your bike, your baby, is totally destroyed.  You are going to recover physically but you are wondering about recovering financially. 

Hopefully you have good insurance because you are going to need it.  You are also going to need a good motorcycle accident injury attorney. 

Your insurance has to include uninsured coverage to recover from the hit and run driver.  Uninsured insurance would kick in providing you can prove that the accident occurred...