The facts about the 20K insurance requirement for MI riders

[Momz]

1. Is the required medical coverage a Personal Injury Protection coverage?

No. It is a specific coverage required to be purchased on your motorcycle insurance policy.

2. Can the required medical coverage be considered satisfied as part of the PIP medical coverage of my AUTO policy?

No. The  medical coverage required by the new law is required on you motorcycle policy, as opposed to medical coverage you may have elsewhere, (i.e., on auto policy, health insurance, Medicare, etc)

3. Can I satisfy the required medical coverage if I have health insurance coverage of at least $20,000.00?

No. The medical coverage required by the new law is required on your motorcycle policy, as opposed to medical coverage you may  have elsewhere, (i.e., on auto policy, health insurance, Medicare, etc)

4. Is the required medical coverage necessary for each individual motorcycle policy, even if you can only ride one of the many motorcycles you own?

Yes. If you want to ride each of your motorcycles without a helmet, you must have the required medical coverage on each motorcycle insurance policy covering each motorcycle.

5. When may a passenger ride without a helmet under the new law?

The passenger may ride  without a helmet if they are over 21 and fall into one of the following scenarios:

- If the passenger is insured by a motorcycle policy which provides at least $20,000.00 in medical coverage which is payable in the event he/she is involved in an accident.

If the operator has on his/her motorcycle policy BOTH $20,000.00 in medical coverage for himself/herself AND an additional $20,000.00 in medical coverage to cover a passenger. (Ex. Medical coverage of $20,000.00 per person/$40,000.00 per accident.)

6. Under what circumstances would an officer be able to pull me over to investigate whether me or my passenger are illegally riding without a helmet?

Stopping a motorcyclist for "improperly" riding without a helmet would be difficult, if that is the only reason for the stop. Generally, to justify a traffic stop, an officer must have an articulable suspicion of illegal conduct. Other than a person who may appear  obviously younger than 21 riding without a helmet, it would be difficult for an officer to have an articulable suspicion that a person has not  had an endorsement for at least 2 years; has not passed a motorcycle safety course; or does not have the required medical coverage on his/her motorcycle policy.

(Addendum)

Per the Michigan State Police:

Officers are reminded that an officer must have articulable and reasonable suspicion that a violation of the Michigan Vehicle Code  has occurred in order to lawfully stop a vehicle for a violation of the Michigan  Vehicle Code. For example, officers may not stop a motorcycle operator for not  wearing a helmet based on the mere  possibility the operator or passenger may not be exempt from the requirement to wear a helmet. Officers must possess facts rising to the level of reasonable suspicion that the  operator or passenger is required to wear  and helmet and is  violating the requirement.

MCL 257.658 does not require a motorcycle operator to carry proof that he or she has possessed a motorcycle endorsement for at  least two years or has successfully passed the motorcycle safety course.  Additionally, the law does not require a motorcycle operator or passenger carry proof of the $20,000 security required to operate or ride a motorcycle without a helmet.    

[fudgie]

Thx momz! 

[Momz]

Just doing my job Fudgie.
Just doing my job.

[Fudd]

I'll bet the insurance companies are really loving this new law.  How much does the $20k medical rider jack up the premiums?

[Romeo]

I'll bet the insurance companies are really loving this new law.  How much does the $20k medical rider jack up the premiums?

That, my friend is the $20,000 question, now isn't it?

[Skinhead]

What/how does this apply to out of state riders??  Like the Fudgester for instance?  If they are from a no helmet state, and don't have/their state doesn't require the additional policy rider??

[Momz]

Fudd, Romeo,

That all depends on how much insurance you currently carry.
I've heard as much as $180 if all you have is PL/PD to as little as $20 if you allready carry full coverage.

Of course these may change as the insurance industry tries to hold MI riders hostage due to them not being able to charge more than $160 for the latest MCCA fees.

[Gary]

I believe Texas has a similar law and requirement in affect.

During my recent cruise through a healthy portion of Texas for the GOTF's event, I had wondered how the additional insurance coverage could be shown, proven or disproven on the roadside if pulled over.

I think locals are required to have a supportive document but not sure how that is handled for out-of-staters.

[vanagon40]

Just checked; adding $25,000 in medical payments (I currently carry none and $25,000 was the only option for $20,000+) would add $268.00 per year to my Progressive premium (Indiana).

Current:               $196

With the Med Pay:  $464

I recall dropping the $5,000 med pay I had several years ago as it was so expensive (and was mostly duplicative of my health insurance).

[solo1]

There are always strings attached

[fudgie]

So how much is the fine? Might be cheaper to pay a fine then the insurance!