some possibly dumb questions about insurance (2024)

I am going to be taking the basic rider course in July and have never ridden a motorcycle (except for a passenger of course). After dealing with nervousness ALREADY over going to this class with NO experience at all I decided maybe it would be better to have someone teach me a few basics in the parking lot at work (way out nowhere) so I would be a little more confident for my BRC.

So I find the bike I want. 06 GS500. I get the loan approved. I have the gear (helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, riding pants... like I said I'm a passenger), BUT

I go to pick up the loan paperwork tomorrow but I'm ASSUMING I will need insurance. Problem is, all the quotes I have gotten in the planning stages are for a licensed with brc rider. I went back and put no under the license and they all said it was a big no no. Is this possible to do with only a permit????? It would be only for 5 weeks then (hopefully) I would pass the class and get the license endorsem*nt .

Am I doing this all wrong? All the people in my lives with bikes have been riding for a LONG time and have never needed to buy a bike without a motorcycle license so they are no help. Here I am, almost 30 and totally confused! haha

THANKS for ANY help you can offer!!!

edited to add.. I think I might have put this in the wrong section. I'm sorry.

I don't have an answer for the questions about insurance, but....

When it comes to the BRC, you already have all of the information that you need. In fact, you are ahead of the game because you have ridden as a passenger. There really is no need to practice before class. I can tell you from experience that the students that were taught by family/friends have a much more difficult time passing the class.

If you feel that you must practice something, then ride a bicycle many times before your motorcycle class. That will make the class easier for you.

the reason u want insurance is because u are planning on riding it home? Based on you saying that u're already nervous about the class, im gonna guess u shouldn't ride it home. Get someone with a truck to help, or have someone ride it home for u.

edit:
unless im not understanding correctly. Do you mean u need insurance in order to get the loan? In which case, I had no idea loans require proof of insurance.

Hey pinkprincess

I'm glad I stumbled across your thread. I work for an insurance company, so maybe I'll be able to help you out with your question. I do have one question for you though: what kind of motorcylce loan are you getting? Is this through a financial institution like a bank or a credit union, or is this loan being done at the dealership through one of those revolving accounts, such as Suzuki HSBC Services, for example?

If it's through one of those revolving accounts, if I'm not mistaken, since those loans are processed somewhat like a credit card, no insurance is required throughout the duration of the loan. If you're going to start riding the bike, though, I believe there's a 30day period or something like that, which you will have before you are legally required to carry insurance, but I would suggest checking with the DMV on laws regarding that. If it turns out you do need insurance for the loan to close, you can always get the vehicle insured under someone else's name who has an M1 until you get yours.

By the way, if you want to see about saving money on financing the GS500, PM me. Where I work for might be able to end up saving you a lot of money on that, as well as insuring you.

oh no! I dont want to drive it home. I couldnt! LOL!!

I got a loan at a local bank. I needed insurance before I could get them to cut the check. Geico actually does insure without a license but it costs more

and thanks for the loan tip. If my lender has an issue with the loan I will contact you. I have no problem with the amount in general (I was approved up to $35k) but they said they check kbb. And I've been looking at a TON of 2006 and 2005 ES500's and ALL have been above the kbb online value? Two dealers told me that it is because the kbb value is based on some crazy milage ? I dunno. They all said the banks blue book is different than the online one so it should be ok I guess.

and thanks for the tip not to practice. I might just go pick up a bicycle and try that for the next few weeks before class... especially if buying this used bike falls through (since I'm already paying for insurance! haha)

pinkprincess said:

oh no! I dont want to drive it home. I couldnt! LOL!!

I got a loan at a local bank. I needed insurance before I could get them to cut the check. Geico actually does insure without a license but it costs more

and thanks for the loan tip. If my lender has an issue with the loan I will contact you. I have no problem with the amount in general (I was approved up to $35k) but they said they check kbb. And I've been looking at a TON of 2006 and 2005 ES500's and ALL have been above the kbb online value? Two dealers told me that it is because the kbb value is based on some crazy milage ? I dunno. They all said the banks blue book is different than the online one so it should be ok I guess.

and thanks for the tip not to practice. I might just go pick up a bicycle and try that for the next few weeks before class... especially if buying this used bike falls through (since I'm already paying for insurance! haha)

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You don't need to practice before you take the course. For starters, you want to learn everything they teach you, not unlearn bad habits you picked up beforehand. I also took the course after many years as a passenger and that was actually quite helpful - I ended up doing extremely well in the class. If you have a chance to ride as a passenger again before the course, pay attention to braking, shifting, turning, etc. if you haven't already. For me, understanding and comfort with how the bike feels and sounds made it more familiar and easier when applying those principals in class. Don't be nervous about the class - you will only make it more difficult for yourself. Be confident!

I was able to get insurance on a bike without a permit (it wasn't my bike - bought for someone else). Full coverage. I was already insured with State Farm and simply called to add the bike. They never questioned a thing - full coverage for a very reasonable price. So, depending upon who you have your auto policy with, getting coverage without a permit may or may not be an issue.

Have you considered waiting until AFTER you pass the course to get your bike? I wanted to get a bike before I even took the course and was persuaded not to by a good many people. As determined as I was that I would love it and pass, what if I decided riding my own bike wasn't for me, or I didn't have a lot of fun or (worst case scenario) I didn't pass? I would be stuck with a bike. As much as I didn't believe those possibilities, I followed the advice and bought my bike *after* I passed and got my M1 endorsem*nt. It turned out to be a good decision - I had planned to buy something that likely would have gotten me hurt. I went back and bought my EX500 (like the GS500, a great first bike) and my friend rode it home for me (I could have had it delivered). Really, there's no hurry - you have the rest of your life to ride and have fun!

Good luck to you!

Just going to reinforce what Enchanter and the others have said....

You need absolutely no experience before attending the BRC. Hell, even having never touched a motorcycle before won't hurt your chances of completing the course.

Just relax, and understand that the course was designed for riders just like you - that's why it's called the Basic RiderCourse.

Just have fun with it!

-Q!

I took the course without having ever touched a motorcycle. I did learn the controls on a motorcycle by reading ahead of time, but that's unnecessary because they teach you that in the classroom section and repeat it in the riding section.

Also being able to balance on a bicycle well does wonders. I've been bicycling aggressively for a few yrs, so I would say my balance is above average. I think that probably helped me in the figure 8 exercise.

paladinnorcal said:

In my class there were two people who had never driven a vehicle with a clutch, of any kind, They did fine. Relax, pay attention, and enjoy.

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I was a person like that...i actually learned how to drive a manual on a motorcycle. Pink, you'll be fine. Just go to the course, get your license, and ride safe and happy. Remember, the learning doesn't stop when you leave the BRC