Motorcycle Safety Tips from Safeco
You're no kid and that's no 10-speed.
To stay safe on the motorcycle you need complete command of your machine and the best helmet you can get.
New gear? Update your policy.
Your Safeco motorcycle policy covers up to $3,000 in custom parts and equipment—but you have to make sure each piece of equipment is lested on your policy. Any time you buy new leathers or safety equipment or customize your bike, update our service representatives before you head out on the highway.
9 of 10 motorcycle accidents involve untrained riders.
When you're controlling this much force, it's essential to have complete command of your machine. More than 90 percent of riders involved in accidents haven't taken a formal motorcycle driving course.
Know your bike's capabilities—how it performs in a curve or on slick roads and how quickly it can stop. Errors like over braking, driving too fast, or under-cornering are major factors in many solo accidents.
Safeco offers discounts to riders who attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's safe riding courses or are active in one of 10 approved groups that promote safe riding. Do both those things and you can reduce your premium by up to 10 percent.
No one's too old to wear a helmet.
A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury in a crash. Buy a full-face helmet for the best protection for your head and eyes. Wear other protective gear as well: heavy leather or synthetic gloves, long pants and jacket and over-the-ankle leather boots.
This advice applies to all riders—not just teenagers learning to ride. Today, more than 44 percent of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve riders in their 40s. That's three times higher than a decade ago.
In a crash, the SUV wins.
When cars and motorcycles collide, it's usually because the driver of the car failed to see the cyclist. With more SUVs on the road, it's even more critical to take extra steps to become more visible. Use your headlamps—both night and day—and wear yellow, red, or orange jackets to make yourself easy to see. Make a point of positioning yourself in your lane for visibility.
Remember: Ride sober.
Driving impaired is more deadly for cyclers than other drivers. In fact, more than half of all motorcycle deaths occur when the rider has been drinking.
Have a claim? Call 1-800-332-3226
If you have a claim, report it to Safeco. Claims professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We want to help you rest easy.
And we think you'll be even more relaxed if you can reduce your chnces of having an unexpected problem. That's why we're providing simple information like this to help you understand your coverage and prevent losses. For more tips go to www.safeco.com
Reprinted with permission from Safeco.
