Even though insurance companies should decide claims fairly, sometimes they are biased against motorcyclists. Motorcycle accident bias can lead the company to offer less than a claim is worth, and it may also make things difficult in the claims process.

What Is Insurance Company Motorcycle Bias?

Motorcycle accident bias means being treated differently in an insurance claim because of stereotypes and unfair beliefs about motorcyclists. Individuals handling a claim may treat it differently than they would treat similar claims because of their beliefs about motorcycles. There may also be algorithms that are programmed in a biased way.

6 Types of Motorcycle Insurance Bias

Here are six ways insurance companies can be biased against motorcyclists:

   1. Motorcyclists must be careless drivers.

Insurance adjusters may think that motorcyclists are careless on the roads. They assume that motorcycle riders are focused on having a good time and that they take risks. They think that riders don’t care about safety.

   2. They don’t follow traffic laws.

Claim adjusters may assume that motorcyclists weave in and out of traffic. They may think that riders speed, change lanes improperly and run stop signs.

   3. They aren’t trained.

Motorcyclists may not ride as much as drivers of passenger cars, so the insurance company may assume that the rider isn’t as skilled or experienced as a car driver.

   4. Motorcyclists don’t have the same rights as other accident victims.

It’s convenient for the insurance company to think that motorcyclists should be treated differently when it comes to accident compensation. They may think a motorcyclist isn’t as worthy of compensation for pain and suffering.

   5. It’s not the other driver’s fault for not seeing the motorcyclist.

Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles. But that doesn’t mean other drivers have an excuse for not seeing them before turning and changing lanes.

   6. Motorcycles are unsafe.

An insurance adjuster might be biased for thinking that motorcycles are inherently unsafe vehicles.

How do these assumptions made by insurance companies impact their injury settlement offers?

• Claim denied – The insurance company may deny a claim that they would approve for someone else.
• Claim delayed – Extra processing time.
• Low offer – They hope the person accepts a low settlement offer.
• Extra scrutiny – Questions about things that would have been accepted in any other claim.

Is there anything a rider can do to combat motorcycle accident bias?

Yes! You can combat motorcycle bias.

• Know what your claim is worth. This helps you evaluate settlement offers.
• Get the facts. Document the evidence.
• Respond quickly. With your evidence, you can quickly respond to requests for information.
• Don’t take the first offer. It helps to be patient.
• Keep calm. Always be polite and factual in communications.
• Write a demand letter. A demand letter summarizes your case.
• Go to court. You can have a lawyer represent you.

How an Attorney Can Help

Don’t let insurance company bias against motorcyclists stand in your way. An attorney can help you value your case, build strong evidence and negotiate your settlement. They can take your case to court.

Contact Us

The Law Office of Steven M. Krause P.A. represents motorcyclists. We fight insurance company motorcycle bias. Contact us.

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