Few activities are as fun and thrilling as roaring down the highway astride a motorcycle. However. If you are new to the activity, you may need advice to help you stay safe and get the most out of the bike. For instance, you may not realize that motorcycle insurance is required by law in Tennessee. 

A Guide to Motorcyclist’s Safety

1. Wear the Proper Gear

Motorcycles are small, fast, and nimble. As a result, they are hard for other motorists to see and offer little to no protection to riders. That's why it is essential to wear protective gear. The helmet is most important because it protects you against head injuries. It should feature a faceplate to protect your eyes against bugs and flying debris. Boots, jeans, and a leather jacket will also protect your body from scrapes if you were to fall.

2. Take a Motorcycle Safety Course

Riding a bike is a considerably different process from operating a vehicle. The manual shift on most bikes may be unfamiliar to modern drivers, while front and rear brakes need to be engaged in a particular order to prevent the rider from being thrown over the handlebars. It's wise to complete a motorcycle safety course before heading out on the road alone. You'll learn operating tricks, master highway safety recommendations, and get practice riding under an experienced instructor's eye.

3. Buy Motorcycle Insurance

Tennessee requires motorcyclists to maintain $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage (to a per-accident maximum of $50,000) and $15,000 of property damage liability insurance. These pay for repairs and legal and medical costs if you should accidentally injure someone or damage their property. Note that the legal minimums offer little protection for you or your bike, so you should also consider collision and comprehensive coverage, which pay for damages to your equipment.

To have an experienced agent help you design the perfect motorcycle insurance policy, contact Lafever Insurance Agency in Cookeville, TN. They have served clients in and around Putnam County for more than 30 years and are known for their industry knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile for customers. In addition to motorcycle insurance, they also specialize in car and SR-22 insurance. Call (931) 526-3377 to request an affordable insurance quote.