Seasonal Motorcycle Storage and Insurance: What Morgantown Riders Should Know

Sometimes, your motorcycle should simply not be exposed to the elements. If it is, your bike can become worn down and damaged when you ride it again. You may need to store your motorcycle in certain seasons to protect it. Your bike will perform better in the long term. Not only will you need less maintenance, but you may be at less risk of accidents due to motorcycle malfunctions.

The winter season has the most severe elements that can affect a motorcycle. Riders are on their bikes less in the winter months because the road conditions are not as safe. When the bike is out and exposed to the elements, it can sustain damage. When you try to use it again after the weather changes, the motorcycle might have lingering effects, potentially placing you in danger. Accordingly, you may want to take steps to preserve and protect your motorcycle during the winter period.

If you have been injured in an accident, a motorcycle accident attorney at Desai Law can fight for your legal rights. Call today to schedule a free initial consultation.

How to Properly Store a Motorcycle in the Winter Months

You cannot simply place a bike into storage without properly preparing it first. It is not safe to store a motorcycle without taking these steps:

• Clean and wax the bike
• Stabilize the fuel
• Change oil and fluids
• Disconnect or maintain the battery
• Protect tires and suspension
• Cover and store in a dry, secure location

If you do not properly prepare the motorcycle for storage, it may not operate as you wish when you are ready to use it in the future. Your bike can even be dangerous, raising the risk of a potential motorcycle accident. For example, you can experience the following issues:

• Tire damage: You must shift the position of the tires when the bike is in storage to prevent damage and wearing down of certain spots
• Fuel line: Gasoline that is left in the motorcycle when it is in storage can gum up or calcify, causing damage to the fuel line
• Battery: A long period of inactivity can result in the battery losing its charge
• Corrosion and rust: Various key metallic parts can rust if they are exposed to moisture on a continuous basis

Not only must you prepare the motorcycle properly for storage, but you must also check on it during this time. You should do things like rotate the tires and check the engine, so your bike will function properly when you are ready to start using it again in the future.

You Should Maintain Some Level of Insurance Coverage When Your Motorcycle Is in Storage

You should not cancel your insurance coverage when your motorcycle is in storage. You may think that you are saving money, but you are really putting your bike at risk and restricting yourself from being able to ride it when you do not have coverage. Keeping your insurance coverage is an investment that you should make for your own peace of mind. You can notify your insurance carrier of the storage status of your bike in the hopes that they may reduce the premiums while you are not using your motorcycle. However, you may not be fully covered if you attempt to ride during this time and have an accident.

You may still want to protect it from various hazards, even if you do not intend to use it during the winter months. There is always a chance that your bike can be damaged in storage. If the weather is nicer or the temperature is unseasonably warm, you may be tempted to take your bike for a ride. You cannot do so if you cancel your insurance coverage while your bike is in storage. You can consider reducing your coverage to a minimum level if your motorcycle is in storage, but it is never a good idea to ride while you do not have a high level of coverage. You may also consider comprehensive-only coverage to protect your bike from damage while it is being stored (although you would be unable to ride).

Proper Storage Can Be a Factor in Your Legal Case

How you maintain your bike can come into play if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident. You must seek compensation from the insurance company representing the driver who caused the accident. The insurance company may look for ways to make the accident about you and escape from having to pay you the full amount of financial compensation that they owe you. For example, they may argue that you share in the blame for the accident, seeking to reduce the amount of money they need to pay you (or even to avoid paying you entirely).

Not only may the insurance company make allegations about how you were riding at the time of the accident, but they may also examine the condition of the bike involved in the accident. If you did not properly maintain and repair your motorcycle as needed, the insurer might successfully put some of the fault on you. This can jeopardize your ability to receive full financial compensation for your injuries.

The most important thing to do if storage and maintenance become questions in your injury case is to have the right motorcycle accident lawyer handling your claim. They can maximize the compensation you can receive.

Contact a Morgantown Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

You should not try to deal with the insurance company on your own in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Contact a Morgantown motorcycle accident lawyer at Desai Law to schedule an initial consultation, where you can discuss your case and learn more about the possible path forward. You can speak with a Morgantown motorcycle accident attorney by sending us a message online or calling us today at (304) 974-1974. We work for you on a contingency basis, which means that you pay us nothing unless you are paid yourself.