Does health insurance cover motorcycle accidents? – Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Spread the word: Check the wording of your health insurance policy to make sure it covers you if you are injured in a motorcycle accident. Every day I meet new clients who have been injured by an irresponsible driver and every day I have to explain to them, to their surprise, that they do not have adequate insurance to cover their medical expenses. Too often they have no coverage or only minimal insurance.

There is no full coverage. Your agent may tell you that you have it, but let me repeat: there is no such thing as “full coverage”.

Your own health insurance policy is what should pay for your medical expenses if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. However, most insurers now EXCLUDE coverage for injuries caused by a motorcycle accident.

Union members, who we all expect to have “good” insurance benefits, should check your health insurance policies. Look for exclusions, which are listed in a separate section in policy descriptions. You might be surprised that you are not covered for injuries related to motorcycle accidents.

Once we had a client who ended up with a vehicle at an intersection. The client was airlifted to the trauma center with serious leg injuries, as well as other major fractures. When the hospital learned of the exclusion from coverage in his insurance policy, the hospital decided to send him home quickly. He needed to go to a rehabilitation center, but had great difficulty finding a facility willing to take him because his insurance excluded coverage. He had no insurance for the injuries caused by the motorcycle accident. Eventually, he returned home, became wheelchair bound, and was forced to pay for home renovations out of pocket so he could stay in his house. He did not receive the rehabilitation and follow-up care he needed because his health insurance policy excluded him.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide on the subject. Specialist advice should be sought regarding your particular situation.