PROPERTY DAMAGE

In Minnesota, when a motorcycle is damaged or destroyed in an accident, there often are two insurance companies the motorcycle's owner can deal with for compensation.

If the motorcycle's owner has "collision coverage" under his or her insurance policy, the owner can seek payment under that coverage. The amount payable is usually reduced by the amount of the "deductible" under the policy. If the driver of another vehicle was responsible for the accident, the owner's insurance company can then seek reimbursement from the responsible party's insurance company and refund all or a portion of the deductible to the owner.

If the driver of another vehicle was responsible for the accident, the owner of the damaged motorcycle can choose to seek payment from the insurer for the responsible vehicle instead of from the owner's own insurance policy. This payment is usually reduced by the percentage of negligence attributable to the driver of the owner's motorcycle. However, if the driver of the owner's motorcycle is more than 50% responsible for the accident, the owner of that motorcycle is usually not entitled to anything from the insurer of the other vehicle.

The owner of the damaged motorcycle might also be entitled to a rental vehicle while his or her motorcycle is being fixed.