Today when I went to the DMV to get my bike registered and get my class M designation put on my license the woman told me if I said "yes, I have the bike insured" and it's not once I get my tags and resistration, it would be a $500 fine. NO, I am not saying I don't have the bike insured. What I'm asking is how would they know? Does anyone have any insight to this scenario? Again, I am only asking this as a purely HYPOTHETICAL question. thanks.

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on August 04, 2008, 08:35:01 AM
Today when I went to the DMV to get my bike registered and get my class M designation put on my license the woman told me if I said "yes, I have the bike insured" and it's not once I get my tags and resistration, it would be a $500 fine. NO, I am not saying I don't have the bike insured. What I'm asking is how would they know? Does anyone have any insight to this scenario? Again, I am only asking this as a purely HYPOTHETICAL question. thanks.

Let me see if I understand your hypothetical question:

• You do not have insurance
• You lie to the DMV and say you do have insurance
• DMV gives you a license and registration
• You ride around without insurance

I'm surprised you don't have to provide proof of insurance (a receipt, a letter from your insurance company, etc). If not, I guess the DMV cannot know unless you get pulled over without insurance (or worse, if you are involved in an accident).

While $500 is a heavy fine, I hope you will agree there are much more important reasons to carry adequate insurance while motorcycling.

in most states you have to show proof of insurance  Just buy liabillity... I pay $68 A YEAR from progressive

You'd need a local to know for sure, but in most states the DMV / RMV and the insurance companies talk to each other. They exchange data. Their computers yak, and if your name comes up on one and not the other, you get nailed. In a lot of states, you have to have a form (proof of insurance) from the insurance company to even get registration in the first place. Evidently your state believes that a hefty fine is more convenient (or more revenue-enhancing for them) than a form. Don't take that to mean that they don't have their computer yak with the insurance company's computer.

Anywhere that isn't as over-regulated as Taxachusetts, liability-only is cheap. You need liability, unless you are so rich that paying for it would be pocket change, and in that case you might as well anyway. Collision/comp is more cost for less benefit - if you are tempted, be sure to have your agent work out EXACTLY what they would pay you after deductibles and claiming your bike is worth less than you paid for it, and see how that compares to the yearly tab for that part of coverage. If they won't tell you how much they would pay, you can bet it's not a good number.

Policies will vary by state.

SC only has a line for you to fill out stating your insurance company, no policy number.

My insurance does have a clause that automatically covers new purchases. So I do not need to call the insurance company prior to tagging a vehicle.

In GA they require proof of insurance when you try to register the vehicle.  Then, the insurance company notifies DMV if you do not pay up when the renewal is due or your coverage is canceled.

In ohio there is a line for you to sign that says you have insurance, that is it ,no proof just your word. I would advise that you do however have the insurance which you have stated that you have. If you don't and you are in an accident, your license will be revoked for a six month period.