A motorcycle operator, just as a car driver, is only required to carry $12,500 of liability insurance in the state of Ohio. That means if a car driver caused you a serious injury while you were on your motorcycle, and the car driver carried minimum limits, that is likely all you would collect. ($12,500).

However you have the power to purchase underinsured motorist coverage in your motorcycle policy. Underinsured motorist insurance pays you for you injuries if your coverage is higher than the person's who caused your injury and your injuries merit damages in excess of the policy carried by the person who caused your injury. The minimum you should carry is $100,000.00 of underinsured motorist coverage.

For example if you broke your arm and required surgery and plates put in your arm, your damages could be $100,000.00. If you had $100,000.00 of underinsured coverage you could collect $12,500 from the car driver with minimum limits and an additional $87,500.00 from your oun insurance company. But only if you purchased underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle. If you did not you would end up horribly undercompensated.