By Laurie Montoya, President of BikerDown
On a rainy day, while returning home from a great day of riding, a rider named Rick and his wife, Tami, were suddenly thrown into a life-changing event. The roads were slick from the storm, and as their motorcycle began to slide, both rider and passenger were violently ejected.
At first, Tami was unresponsive. Miraculously, a doctor and nurse who happened upon the crash stopped and revived her on the scene. At the hospital, Tami faced the devastating reality that she could not feel anything below her waist. For the first ten days, doctors feared she might be a quadriplegic. But on day twelve, hope broke through—she regained some feeling and movement in her arms. She has since begun a long road to recovery, preparing for 60 days of rehabilitation therapy.
Her strength and determination have been nothing short of inspiring. Today, she was able to rotate her right hand fully—a small but powerful step forward.
The Harsh Reality of Insurance
As Rick reviewed their insurance coverage after the crash, he was devastated to learn how little protection they actually had.
What Liability Insurance Really Covers
Most riders purchase liability insurance because it’s required by law. But liability is not designed to cover the rider or their passenger. Here’s how it works:
- Liability insurance only pays out when you cause injury or damage to someone else. For example, if you rear-end a car or injure a pedestrian, liability coverage pays for their medical bills, property damage, and legal claims — up to the policy limits.
- Passengers are often excluded from motorcycle liability policies. In Rick and Tami’s case, because Tami lived in the same household, she was not considered an eligible third party under the policy. That meant the $250,000 liability coverage they thought was available didn’t apply to her at all.
This is a shock to many riders, who assume liability means “everyone involved is covered.” In reality, it only protects others you hit — not the people riding with you.
Coverages That Protect Passengers
If you want your passenger to be protected in the event of a crash, there are additional coverages you should consider:
Guest Passenger Liability
- Some insurers offer a specific guest passenger liability add-on. This provides coverage for injuries sustained by a passenger riding on the back of your bike.
- Whether it includes your spouse depends on the insurer and the state. Some companies exclude spouses, others do not. You must ask your agent directly if your wife would be covered.
- Not all states require it, and not all insurance companies automatically include it. Riders should specifically ask their agent if their passenger is protected.
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
- Covers medical expenses for you and your passenger, regardless of fault.
- Usually offered in set amounts ($1,000 – $25,000). While it won’t cover long-term care, it helps with immediate medical bills.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (available in certain states)
- Broader than MedPay, PIP can cover medical bills, rehabilitation, and even lost wages for both you and your passenger.
- Required in “no-fault” states, optional in others.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
- Protects you and your passenger if you’re hit by a driver with insufficient or no insurance.
- It can cover medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
- Umbrella Policy
- Provides an extra layer of liability coverage beyond your motorcycle policy — often $1–2 million.
- Crucial for protecting both your assets and any passengers if your base policy isn’t enough.
Without one or more of these protections, your passenger may be left with no coverage at all, just like Jane.
Supplemental Accident & Hospital Policies Through Aflac
This is exactly why BikerDown.org partners with Aflac to make supplemental coverage available to riders and their families. These policies are designed to work alongside your health and motorcycle insurance—not replace them.
Here’s how they help:
- Accident Insurance
- Pays cash benefits directly to you after an accident, whether or not you have health insurance.
- Covers emergency treatment, X-rays, ambulance services, hospitalization, and follow-up care.
- Provides lump-sum payments for certain injuries like fractures, dislocations, burns, and concussions.
- Money can be used however you need—medical bills, mortgage, groceries, or lost wages.
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Pays you for every day you spend in the hospital due to an accident or illness.
- Covers intensive care unit stays and extended hospitalization.
- Benefits are paid in addition to any health insurance, giving families immediate cash to manage unexpected expenses.
- Affordable Access Through BikerDown Membership
Through your BikerDown membership, you can access these Aflac policies at deeply discounted group rates:- $37.50/month for a single rider — less than $2.00 a day.
- $65.00/month for two bikes/two riders or a married couple — less than $2.17 a day.
For most riders, that’s less than the cost of a cup of coffee—but it could make the difference between financial survival and financial ruin after a crash. If you are interested in getting the BikerDown Membership please click here or reach out to BikerDown by sending us an email at office@bikerdown.org
Lessons for Every Rider
This heartbreaking experience highlights important takeaways for every motorcyclist:
- Don’t assume liability covers your passenger – It usually doesn’t. Ask your agent specifically about guest passenger liability, MedPay, and PIP.
- Add an umbrella policy – For relatively little cost, an umbrella policy can provide millions in coverage for situations your base policy doesn’t cover.
- Get supplemental accident and hospital policies – For just a couple of dollars a day, you can secure cash benefits that could mean the difference between recovery and bankruptcy.
- Work with a motorcycle insurance specialist – Not all insurance agents understand the unique risks motorcyclists face. Seek advice from someone who rides, or organizations like BikerDown.org that advocate for riders.
Moving Forward
Dick and Jane’s story is still being written. Every day brings new challenges but also new victories. Jane’s resilience is proof that the human spirit can fight through incredible odds. But their financial burden could have been drastically reduced had their insurance portfolio been built with the right protections.
At BikerDown.org, we share these stories not to scare riders, but to prepare them. Because when the unthinkable happens, the best time to have the right coverage is before you need it.
