ABATE of Michigan President ~ Gary Kopta

Hello everyone,

 It looks like the weather is changing for the worst. Soon that white stuff will be flying around. Hope you're getting some riding in before that starts.

 I just got back home from the bike raffle event. If you didn't go to the event you missed out on a nice time. Congratulations to the winners. John G from region 7 won the bike. I hope he enjoys it. 

 As I travel around the state I run into many ABATE members and we talk and I ask them questions and alot of times they ask me questions and make comments.

What I am learning is that alot of members especially new members aren't real sure what the insurance nightmare is all about. I let them know that in 2019 when the new law was changed that it handcuffed motorcyclists to the coverage that the automobile owner that hit us has on their policy. Sometimes I get a blank stare. Then I mention that it is real confusing and that's what the insurance companies do is make things confusing so nobody questions it. What it amounts to is the fact that in 2019 everyone was told we were gonna save a bunch of money because we could choose what kind of policy we wanted.

 What they didn't mention is the only choice we were given was on the personal injury protection (PIP) part of your policy. The bunch of money amounted to couple hundred bucks if you chose to lower your PIP to different levels. 

 Another thing they didn't tell you is the fact that if you are on a motorcycle and get hit by a car then you only get what the car driver has on his policy. So if the car driver opted for 100,000.00 PIP that's all you get. Sounds like alot of money right? It's not when you consider the helicopter ride you are about to take to the hospital is at least 80,000.00.Now how long is 20,000.00 gonna last? About 2 hours in the ER getting put back together? What about the rest of your hospital stay? That comes out of your pocket. 

The ironic thing is you are better off being hit by an uninsured driver because then it all reverts back to your policy. I hope you kept unlimited on your PIP.

 I'm asking Silla to post a paper in the rider regarding this mess. It was drafted by ABATE's Lawyer Dondi and board member Herb. Thank you to those two that worked on this. If this doesn't make you angry I don't know what will.

 This is the things that we are fighting for in Lansing. Please join us. 

 Ride safe watch the other guy.