Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance to Buy a Motorcycle in New Jersey?

If you’ve recently purchased a motorcycle in New Jersey, it’s important to know that you also have to buy insurance. But how soon do you have to get insurance, and what kind do you need? New Jersey motorcyclists need answers to these questions to protect themselves in case of an accident.

After purchasing a motorcycle in New Jersey, you don’t need to insure it right away. That being said, you do need the right coverage to begin to drive it. New Jersey has strict laws requiring motorcyclists to have liability insurance in case they cause an accident. If you’re operating an uninsured motorcycle, you can face serious financial penalties in New Jersey. That being said, not having liability insurance won’t impact your ability to recover damages if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver.

Jerry Friedman is dedicated to helping New Jersey motorcycle accident victims get the damages they deserve. For a free case evaluation with New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call today at 1-800-529-4464.

Can You Buy a Motorcycle without Insurance in New Jersey?

New Jersey residents can shop for a motorcycle without purchasing insurance first, but they need to get covered fast. You won’t be able to legally operate your motorcycle until it’s registered and insured in New Jersey.

If you purchase a motorcycle, whether as a gift to a friend or for yourself, you have to get insurance right away. You’ll need to get your bike insured before you take it home and out on the open road. According to N.J.S.A. § 394-14.3e, all motorcycle owners need to purchase liability insurance to operate their vehicles legally.

So, you generally can’t buy a motorcycle before buying insurance, just like you can’t buy a car before getting it covered. Remember, you need to make sure you purchase the necessary insurance coverage before you begin riding your bike. Motorcyclists also need to make sure their vehicles are registered in New Jersey and must get the proper license to operate their motorcycles. Taking care of these items is crucial so that you’re protected and abiding by New Jersey’s laws.

What Are New Jersey’s Motorcycle Insurance Requirements?

In New Jersey, motorcyclists are required to carry liability insurance alone. This coverage exists to protect injured individuals in an accident caused by a motorcyclist. New Jersey motorcyclists are not covered by personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, even if they have it to cover the cost of injuries in case of a car accident.

New Jersey’s insurance laws are relatively confusing. All drivers must carry PIP insurance, but that coverage does not apply to motorcycle accidents. Instead, motorcyclists must carry liability insurance in case they cause an accident that results in injuries to another individual. The following are the minimum requirements for motorcycle liability insurance in New Jersey:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 for property damage per accident

Remember, this coverage is the minimum, meaning New Jersey motorcyclists can purchase a more substantial policy if they’d like. It’s important to reiterate that New Jersey motorcyclists are only required to carry liability insurance. There are no coverage requirements for motorcyclists to protect themselves if they are the injured party in an accident.

That may seem strange to New Jersey residents who are aware of the requirements for drivers to purchase PIP to cover the cost of their injuries from a collision, regardless of who is at fault. However, it illustrates how important it is to hire an Atlantic City motorcycle accident lawyer if you’re injured in a collision. Because PIP benefits won’t cover your injuries, and your motorcycle liability insurance won’t either, your only option for compensation may be to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver.

What Happens if You Don’t Get Insurance After Buying a Motorcycle in New Jersey

If you don’t get insurance for your newly purchased motorcycle, you can face consequences in New Jersey. Riding your bike without the necessary liability coverage can result in substantial financial penalties.

According to N.J.S.A. § 39:6B-2, driving without motorcycle liability insurance can result in serious penalties. Uninsured motorists can face financial penalties and possibly even arrest. Motorcycle owners can face such penalties even if they are the injured parties in an accident. After a collision, New Jersey police officers will ask for all involved parties’ insurance information, especially if fault is unclear. You may face consequences if you cannot produce your valid motorcycle liability insurance.

If you’ve been injured in an accident and didn’t have a copy of your liability insurance on you at the time, call your Cherry Hill motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Your attorney can send your insurance information to New Jersey law enforcement officials so they can complete their crash report.

It’s important to protect yourself by purchasing liability insurance for your motorcycle in New Jersey. Although motorcyclists are not often the parties responsible for damaging collisions and, in fact, are usually the victims of negligent drivers’ actions, having the proper insurance is crucial.

Can You Recover Compensation After a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident if You Don’t Have Insurance?

If you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver and are uninsured, it won’t impact your ability to recover compensatory damage. That’s because the only insurance you’re required to carry as a motorcyclist in New Jersey is liability insurance.

Motorcycle accidents can be incredibly damaging to victims, as these bikes offer very little protection to riders. If you’re without liability insurance, you may be concerned that you’ll be barred from recovering compensatory damages. While that is often the case for drivers without PIP in New Jersey, the same isn’t true for motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists without liability insurance can still sue a negligent driver for damages after an accident. Being uninsured does not impede your access to damages, as any insurance you’re required to have would only cover another party’s injuries, not your own. That being said, it’s still important to hire an experienced Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer. Recovering compensatory damages in a motorcycle accident lawsuit against a negligent New Jersey driver can be difficult, and victims deserve to have a dedicated advocate by their side.

Call Jerry Friedman if You Were Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, turn to a lawyer you can trust. For a free case evaluation with New Brunswick, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call today at 1-800-529-4464.