As a Michigan motorcyclist, should I buy an umbrella policy?  What is an umbrella policy?

An umbrella policy is extra bodily injury or liability insurance that covers beyond the limits of your home, auto, motorcycle, watercraft or RV insurance.  It is an inexpensive way to obtain more bodily injury coverage, further, it covers multiple items that you own.  For example, if you have a house, a car, a truck in a motorcycle, the umbrella policy purchase will be additional liability coverage for all those items.  Caveat: there is usually a minimum bodily injury coverage required for each of the underlying insured items.  For example most vehicle policies must be at least $250,000 of bodily injury coverage before the umbrella policy picks up.

What are the no-fault benefits a Michigan motorcyclists may be entitled to?

A Michigan motorcyclist is entitled to no-fault benefits when a “motor vehicle“ (car truck or van) is involved in the  accident.  An uninsured owner and operator of a Michigan motorcycle is not entitled to no-fault benefits under the law.

The Michigan no-fault benefits include:

1. Medical expenses: payment of medical bills up to the amount chosen by the insured.

2. Wage loss: presently a maximum of about $6200 a month for up to three years

3. Household chore /also called replacement services: up to $20 per day for as long as three years.

4. Medical transportation or mileage

5. Attendant Care: these are nursing type services provided once you’re discharged from a hospital or care facility.  They are payable to a professional company, an individual or even a family member or friend of the injured motorcyclists.  Attendant care is part of medical expenses and is payable by the hour.  Attendant care provided by family or friends is limited to 56 hours per week.