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Motorcycle Safety for Older Bikers

No one can avoid getting older, and as you age you might find yourself facing driving risks that might have never worried you before. Every driver is susceptible to this feeling from time to time, including motorcycle owners.

Still, you don’t want age to get in the way of you being able to enjoy your bike. However, you just have to take a few extra steps to protect yourself. What are some of these age-appropriate changes that you can make to your biking habits? They might involve considering your medical needs, looking at your bike insurance coverage and taking more safety steps than you might have taken in the past.

Let’s look at the issue a little more closely.

How can age affect insurance coverage?

Motor vehicle insurers often consider a driver’s age when setting policy rates. This is because your age often impacts your accident risks. The clearest example of this practice can be seen in the fact that young drivers often pay more for their auto insurance. They don’t have the experience behind the wheel to be truly low-risk drivers. As they mature and gain that experience, their rates are likely to drop.

However, old age can also cause insurance rates to increase. Older motorists (motorcyclists included) often find themselves facing physical challenges that put them more at-risk of having accidents. As you age, you might start to experience poor eyesight, slower reflexes or diminished reaction time. Therefore, you might not be able to avoid roadway hazards, which could lead to accidents. As a result, older motorcycle riders might see their rates rise, particularly if they file a claim for accident damage.

Improving Insurance Costs as You Age

Still, you should never have to worry about causing your motorcycle insurance rates to skyrocket. There are plenty of ways to keep your costs manageable at all stages of life.

Primarily, always ask your agent to apply the maximum available discounts to your policy.  

• You might qualify for accident-free, automatic payment and reliable customer discounts, which can all reduce your rates overall.  
• Many bike insurers offer discounts to members of groups like AARP or certain auto clubs.  
• Some insurers offer senior discounts to retired bikers who only drive a low mileage per year.
• Discounts might be available if you pay your premium in-full or on autopay, or set up your policy to automatically renew year over year.

Additionally, if you enroll in a safe biking class, you will re-learn many of the best practices that can help you avoid accidents when out for a spin. If you submit proof that you passed this course to your insurer, then they might offer you an additional discount.

Should I Drop Coverage to Save Money?

You might wonder if you should drop certain coverage from your motorcycle policy in order to get your rates to drop. While this is technically possible, it is not recommended for older drivers in particular. However, weigh your options carefully:

• If you have paid off your bike, then you might no longer need to carry physical damage (collision, comprehensive) insurance. The bike’s value might no longer merit coverage, because any settlement for damage might be negligible.
• You can increase your deductibles to lower your rates. However, by increasing your deductibles, you agree to shoulder a higher proportion of damage costs yourself. Therefore, you must only choose a deductible that you can afford to pay on your own.
• You should never drop your liability benefits. Often, your state will require this coverage, but even decreasing your benefits only to the minimum mandatory levels might leave you vulnerable to the high costs brought by at-fault accidents.

Every year, take the time to review your motorcycle insurance. Ask your insurance agent how your age might impact your coverage costs. Then ask them what you can do to safely adjust your coverage limits.

Safety Precautions as You Age

There is no secret to the fact that as you get older, you need to take extra precautions on your bike. Some of the steps to consider taking include:

Always wear safety gear, particularly a helmet. Some states require helmets, while others do not. Regardless, wear these items at all times when riding. Other clothing to wear includes sturdy shoes, pads, protective clothing and eye protection.

• Always wear safety gear, particularly a helmet. Some states require helmets, while others do not. Regardless, wear these items at all times when riding. Other clothing to wear includes sturdy shoes, pads, protective clothing and eye protection.
• Ensure you keep your endorsements to ride the motorcycle on your driver’s license.  

• If you have driving restrictions, follow those whenever you ride. For example, if you must wear glasses or contacts when driving, wear them when biking as well.
• Make sure the bike receives regular maintenance. Before every ride, test the bike’s vital systems to make sure they operate correctly.

If you begin to feel uncomfortable riding your bike in certain situations—such as on interstates or during bad weather—then you should take steps to avoid these potential danger scenarios. It’s important that you always feel secure when biking, and if you no longer feel confident in your own abilities, then you should consider adapting your biking habits to be more safety conscious. With the correct care, you can still enjoy your motorcycle as you age.

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