Author: Jason Waechter | Date: April 26, 2025 | Category: MC Legal Minute
Many Michigan riders say they have “full coverage” motorcycle insurance, but that phrase can be dangerously misleading after a crash. In this Motorcycle Legal Minute™, Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer®, explains why there is no simple legal definition of “full coverage” and why motorcyclists should understand liability coverage, collision coverage, custom parts coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and medical coverage before an accident happens.
The Motorcycle Legal Minute™ was created by Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer®, to explain Michigan motorcycle law in a short and easy-to-understand way.
Many riders use the phrase “full coverage” because they believe it means they are fully protected. Unfortunately, that can create a dangerous misunderstanding. Under Michigan law and in real motorcycle insurance claims, “full coverage” is not a precise promise that every possible loss is covered.
A rider may think “full coverage” means the motorcycle is covered, medical bills are covered, wage loss is covered, custom parts are covered, theft is covered, and the rider is protected if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance. But a motorcycle policy may not include all of those protections.
Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer®, talks with injured riders and accident victims every day. One of the first questions after a crash is whether the person had insurance on the vehicle, because insurance coverage can affect important benefits and legal rights.
Very often, someone proudly says, “I had full coverage.” The problem is that “full coverage” can mean different things to different people. It may mean the rider had the coverage required by law. It may mean the rider had collision coverage. It may mean the rider had comprehensive coverage. It may mean the rider assumed everything important was covered, even when the policy did not actually say that.
The safer approach is this: do not rely on the phrase “full coverage.” Look at the actual coverages, limits, exclusions, deductibles, and endorsements listed in the motorcycle insurance policy.
A Michigan motorcycle insurance policy may include several different types of coverage. Some are required, some are optional, and some may need to be specifically requested or added.
The key point is that these coverages are not all automatically included just because a rider believes he or she has “full coverage.”
After a motorcycle accident, the difference between what a rider thought was covered and what the policy actually covers can become a very expensive problem.
Jason has reviewed many auto and motorcycle policies where a client said, “I thought I had full coverage,” only to discover important coverages were missing. For example, the policy may not include:
That is why the phrase “full coverage” can be so risky. It may give a rider confidence without giving the rider the protection he or she actually needs.
There have been cases where people sued insurance agents after being told they had “full coverage,” only to later discover the policy did not cover the loss they expected. The problem is that “full coverage” may not have one clear definition.
That can make these disputes difficult. A rider may believe the phrase meant everything important was covered, while the insurance company or agent may argue that the policy documents control.
The better lesson is to avoid relying on vague language before a crash. Ask specific questions, get the answers in writing when possible, and make sure the policy lists the coverages you actually want.
Before assuming you have “full coverage,” ask your insurance agent or company specific questions such as:
These questions are much better than asking, “Do I have full coverage?” because they force the discussion to focus on actual policy protections.
Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage can be extremely important for Michigan motorcyclists. If the driver who causes the crash has no insurance, leaves the scene, or has only minimum limits, the injured rider may be left looking for another source of recovery.
That is why riders should carefully review UM and UIM coverage before a crash happens. These coverages are often optional, but they may become very important after a serious motorcycle injury.
For more information, see our related guide: Recommended Motorcycle Insurance Coverage in Michigan.
Motorcycle insurance in Michigan can be confusing because motorcycles are treated differently than cars under Michigan’s No-Fault system. A motorcycle policy is not the same as a standard auto No-Fault policy, and injured motorcyclists may need to look at several possible sources of benefits after a crash.
Depending on the facts, medical coverage and wage loss issues may involve the motorcycle policy, the motor vehicle involved in the crash, a household policy, or other insurance priority rules. That is one reason motorcycle riders should not wait until after a crash to find out what their policy actually covers.
For more information, see our guide: Michigan Motorcycle No-Fault Claims Lawyer.
The takeaway is simple: do not rely on the phrase “full coverage” when buying motorcycle insurance. Instead, go over all possible motorcycle insurance coverages and make a decision only after understanding what each coverage is for.
A good insurance review before a crash can prevent painful surprises after a crash. The right time to find out what is covered is before you need the coverage.
For more information about protecting yourself before and after a motorcycle crash, see these related resources:
Our mission is to get injured motorcyclists the best possible result, as fast as possible.
Motorcycle case results include: $27,512,000 – $2,000,000 – $2,000,000 – $1,500,000 – $1,400,000 – $1,250,000 – $1,200,000 – $1,000,000.
CALL NOW
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Provide a few simple details about your injury and our team will take it from there.