6 Coverage Gaps That Can Hurt Florida Motorcycle Riders

Riding in Palm Beach County? Here are 6 motorcycle coverage gaps that catch Florida riders off guard, from PIP to gear to riding a buddy's bike.

TL;DR:** Florida doesn't even require motorcycle insurance the way it requires auto PIP, which means a lot of riders assume they're covered when they're not. From gear and accessories to lending your bike to a friend, here are six common gaps that trip up riders around Lantana and Palm Beach County, plus how to close them. Hey there, fellow sun-chaser. Coastal Kayla here, and while boats and golf carts are usually my jam, motorcycles get lumped into a lot of the same "I'm sure I'm covered" thinking that gets boaters and golf cart owners into trouble. Florida is a phenomenal place to ride year round, but our insurance rules for motorcycles work differently than they do for cars, and that difference is exactly where riders get burned. Let's go gap by gap. 1. No required PIP means no automatic medical coverage Here's the big one. Florida's no-fault law requires drivers of cars to carry Personal Injury Protection, but motorcycles are specifically excluded from that requirement under state law. That means if you go down on your bike, there's no built-in $10,000 of PIP paying your medical bills the way there would be if you were in a car. You're relying on your own health insurance, a med-pay add-on if you bought one, or the at-fault driver's liability coverage, which can take time to sort out. A lot of riders assume motorcycles work like cars insurance-wise. They don't. If you haven't specifically added medical payments coverage to your policy, ask about it. It's often inexpensive and pays regardless of fault, which matters a lot when you're the one lying on the pavement waiting to find out who's at fault. 2. Custom parts and gear usually aren't covered by a standard policy That aftermarket exhaust, the custom paint, the saddlebags, your helmet and riding jacket. Standard…