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Driving a motorcycle with a passenger
The pillion seat has its origins in horseback riding, where riders would place a small rug or animal pelt behind the saddle to accommodate a second passenger. After all, if a knight rescues a damsel, he can’t very well expect her to run alongside his horse! Today, many motorcycles feature an extra seat for a passenger, often referred to as "riding double" or "riding two up." While riding with company can be enjoyable, it’s important to follow safety precautions. Riding with a passenger should only be attempted by experienced and safety-conscious drivers.
Safety Tips for Riding With a Passenger
Before riding with a passenger, ensure your motorcycle is equipped and prepared to accommodate them. Brief your companion on safety measures and their responsibilities as a second active rider. Here are some key guidelines:
- Passengers must be tall enough to reach the footrests and mature enough to handle the responsibility.
- They should wear protective gear, hold onto the driver’s waist or designated handholds, and keep their feet securely on the footrests.
- Passengers should avoid sudden movements that could affect the motorcycle’s operation.
- Drivers should allow extra time for passing, maintain moderate speeds, and avoid sudden changes in direction or abrupt stops.
- Exercise extra caution when cornering, and ensure the passenger dismounts first.
By following these precautions, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable ride for both you and your passenger.
Contact Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. in Evansville, IN
If you’re in the Evansville, IN area and need motorcycle insurance, contact Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. We’ll help you find the policy best suited to your needs. Protect yourself and your motorcycle today!
Is Insurance Required for an Underage Person to Operate a Boat in Indiana?
Heading out to a lake or river for a day of boating in Evansville, IN, provides endless hours of fun for everyone. This includes not only adults interested in taking their watercraft for a spin, but also young operators who are aged 15 or older. While boat operators in Evansville, IN are not required to have insurance on their watercraft, there are exceptions to the law.
What Does Indiana Require Regarding Boat Insurance for Adults?
Adults who are in the process of purchasing a boat from a bank or other lender will most likely be required to provide collision and comprehensive insurance coverage. Just like an automobile or other vehicle being financed, the lender will want to ensure their investment is protected in the event of an accident.
If you plan to stop at a marina to refuel or refresh, the owner of the marina may also require proof of insurance before you are allowed to dock your watercraft. This makes sense as an uninsured boat may come into contact with other ships, causing an accident or damage.
What are the State Requirements for Underage Operators?
Residents who are 16 years old must have a current and valid state driver’s license that allows them to operate a motor vehicle before they can legally operate a motorboat.
Resident teens who are a minimum of 15 years old must have a valid state identification card and pass the state’s boater’s education course before they are allowed to operate a motorboat or a power watercraft.
Contact Trestle Insurance Agency Inc.
At Trestle Insurance Agency Inc., our agents are here to help you understand when it is to your benefit to have boat coverage. We are also here to provide detailed information about any requirements the state may have and how to meet those requirements.
I’m a Homeowner With Home Insurance. Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?
If you have home insurance, you may have heard that umbrella insurance can extend some of your home insurance coverage. Understanding the benefits of umbrella insurance and how it can extend your home insurance coverage is important.
At Trestle Insurance Agency Inc., servicing Evansville, IN, we provide umbrella insurance to homeowners who want it. We work with many insurance carriers to help homeowners find the right umbrella insurance policy for them.
What’s the Difference Between Home Insurance and Umbrella Insurance?
Home insurance is a type of insurance that covers the home, personal property in the home, and living expenses if you have to temporarily move out of your home after a covered event occurs. Home insurance also provides liability coverage if someone becomes injured on your property.
Umbrella insurance is a type of insurance that extends the liability coverage on your home insurance policy. Umbrella insurance can help protect you if you’re sued because someone is injured on your property.
Who Benefits From Umbrella Insurance?
The people who benefit from umbrella insurance are usually those who have more assets than the coverage on their home insurance policy. In this case, umbrella insurance can help protect your assets in the event that you are sued.
How Much Umbrella Insurance Is Enough? Talk To Your Insurance Agent
Many people who choose to get umbrella insurance have a hard time deciding how much umbrella insurance is enough. Your insurance agent can help you decide. At Trestle Insurance Agency Inc., servicing Evansville, IN, we provide advice for customers who want insurance coverage for their home.
We can help you decide how much umbrella insurance is enough. When you’ve made your decision, we can help you decide which insurance policy from which insurance carrier is right for you.
How does auto insurance handle single-vehicle accidents?
Single-vehicle accidents are more common than people realize, causing nearly half of traffic deaths nationwide. Therefore, you should understand how insurance handles single-vehicle accidents and what to do if you are involved in one. If you have questions about single-vehicle accidents or auto insurance, contact the Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. team, serving Evansville, IN. We will answer your insurance questions and ensure you receive the necessary coverage.
Determining Fault in Single-Vehicle Accidents
Indiana uses the at-fault method to determine who bears the legal and financial responsibility for damages and injuries caused by auto accidents. We determine fault for both single and multi-vehicle accidents because drivers are not always at fault for single-vehicle accidents.
One or more parties can be at fault for single-vehicle accidents, while the driver may be wholly, partly, or not at fault. Besides the driver, factors that may contribute to single-vehicle accidents include:
- Snow, ice, fog, rain, or other weather conditions
- Potholes or other road problems
- Hidden street and stop signs
- Objects or animals on the road
- Another vehicle negligently entered the road
- Vehicle manufacturer or service technician errors
Indiana uses the comparative negligence standard, so each at-fault party receives a percentage of responsibility for the accident. The percentages assigned determine the liability and payment responsibility. However, a driver assigned 51% or more responsibility cannot collect any damages.
If you have a single-vehicle accident, try to obtain a police report. Also, safely taking pictures or videos can help document the situation and factors that led to the accident.
Working with Trestle Insurance Agency Inc.
If you live in or near Evansville, IN, the Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. team will help you obtain the best auto insurance for your needs. Call our office at (812) 214-4825 to make an appointment.
Term Life Insurance Guidelines for A New Policyholder
Are you planning to acquire a term life insurance policy? If so, review some guidelines that will help you learn how your coverage works. The guidelines will also assist with keeping your policy updated.
Term Life Insurance Coverage
Term life insurance differs from whole life insurance. Term life insurance provides a death benefit for a specific amount of time. Unlike whole life insurance, term life insurance does not build a cash value. This means that you will not be able to borrow against the value of a term life insurance policy.
A term life insurance policy can be taken out for a specified amount of time. When your policy expires, you can purchase an additional term life insurance policy.
Life Insurance Considerations
Consider reasons why you may want to invest in a term life insurance policy. Perhaps you aren’t ready to commit to obtaining a permanent life insurance policy. You may be experiencing a distinct time in your life where you are going to need more insurance coverage.
If you have young children at home or older teens who are enrolled in college, it may make sense to have term life insurance coverage. If you unexpectedly die, insurance coverage will pay for your final costs.
It would also benefit those who survive. Your family’s surviving members will receive the financial relief they need and deserve.
Get Answers To Insurance Questions
If you have any questions about term life coverage, contact one of our agents at Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. An insurance agent who serves Evansville, IN will advise you about various types of life insurance. You can then pick out the amount of term life insurance coverage you need.
Ask an Agent: When Should You Update Your Home Insurance?
Regularly updating your home insurance policy is crucial to ensuring you’re always adequately protected. If you live in the Evansville, IN, area and need to update your home’s coverage, Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. is here to help. Our dedicated agents will thoroughly review your current policy and ask the right questions to ensure it’s properly updated.
Annual Policy Review
We recommend reviewing your home policy at least once a year and making any necessary updates. Many renew their policy without making changes, potentially missing out on important updates that could increase protection. By working with an agent to get the updates you need, you can feel confident that you have the right coverage for the future.
Inform Your Agent of Significant Changes
If you make significant changes to your home, it’s important to notify your agent, even if it’s not time to review and renew your policy. For example, if you add a pool or make substantial updates to your home, you may need to update your home’s coverage. It’s essential to ensure you have the proper protection for your home as you work to make it even more comfortable and suitable for your needs.
Trust a Reliable Agent
Contact us at Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. today if you’re in the Evansville, IN area and need a home insurance update. We’ll help you secure the right policy and coverage for your needs, providing you with peace of mind. Our agents understand the importance of a comprehensive policy, and we’re committed to providing the support and guidance you deserve.
I’m Getting An Apartment. Do I Have to Get Renters Insurance?
There’s a lot to consider when you’re moving into an apartment. One of the things you should think about is whether to get renters insurance. At Trestle Insurance Agency Inc., servicing Evansville, IN, we can help you choose a renters insurance policy. Are you wondering whether renters insurance is right for you? Here’s what to consider.
Understanding Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is a type of insurance that pays to repair or replace your belongings if a covered event occurs. It is similar to home insurance but only protects your belongings—not the apartment where you live.
Renters insurance can also pay for your living expenses in the event that you have to move out while your apartment is being repaired after a covered event. Having renters insurance makes recovering from covered events more affordable and realistic for many people.
Is Renters Insurance Required?
Renters insurance is not required for most people. If your landlord requires you to have renters insurance, this information will be in your lease. Even if you don’t need renters insurance, there are still many benefits.
- Renters insurance can give you peace of mind when a covered event occurs.
- Renters insurance can make recovery after a covered event possible if you don’t have enough money to replace all of your belongings.
Need Renters Insurance? Contact Us Today Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. professionals., servicing Evansville, IN, can help you find the right renter’s insurance policy. We work with many carriers, which can help you find a policy that fits your budget and meets your needs. If you’d like to have renters insurance, call today to get started with a quote.
Legal Ramifications If You Don’t Have Motorcycle Insurance
Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. is here to help Evansville, IN residents understand their insurance duties. For example, motorcycle riders are often confused about whether they need policies at all. As a result, it’s essential to know what can happen if you don’t have a policy in place.
Indiana Does Require Policies
According to Indiana state law, a motorized vehicle that has up to three wheels (including any side cars) must be registered, titled, and insured like regular vehicles. They’re essentially the same as passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, and must be protected in various ways.
Typical requirements include coverage for property damage, underinsured and uninsured protection, and other liability protection. All riders under 18 must wear helmets on motorcycles, which can impact your policy if you ride with children but don’t protect them.
What Happens If You Don’t Have One
Cyclists who try to get away with driving without a license will face serious legal issues. For example, they might get their registration or even their license suspended. These include 90-day suspensions for the first offense and up to a year for future lapses or insurance fails.
If this happens to you, expect to pay $150 for your first offense, $225 for your second, and $300 for all subsequent offenses. You must also show proof that you have the minimum coverage. In other words, it’s simply smarter to pay for your policy. It’s not worth the risk.
Talk to Us to Learn More
At Trestle Insurance Agency Inc., we help Evansville, IN bike owners get the policy protection they need to avoid long-term legal issues. Call us if you’re interested in owning a motorcycle or don’t have coverage. The risk is not worth the little money you save.
Adequate Insurance Protection While Your Boat Is Docked
Consider the storage plan that you will use to protect your boat while it is docked. Seek boat insurance that will cover your boat if it is damaged, vandalized, or stolen.
Storage Plan
Following a sufficient storage plan will minimize the risk of damage to your boat. It will also deter theft and other criminal activities. Your storage plan should include keeping your boat protected from the elements.
A dry-docked boat should not be at risk of getting wet while unoccupied. A secure storage strategy would involve providing a covered area for the watercraft.
If storing a boat inside an enclosed structure is currently not possible, a waterproof boat cover will protect the watercraft from the elements.
Watercraft Inspection
Dry-docked boats should be inspected regularly. Even though a boat may be sufficiently stored, it may still be damaged by a factor that wasn’t considered when it was first placed in storage.
Security Aids
The use of security aids will further protect a boat and may minimize the need to file an insurance claim due to damage or theft.
The installation of surveillance equipment allows a boat owner to monitor their boat’s storage area closely.
If anything suspicious is discovered during an impromptu surveillance session, the boat owner can explore it further and contact their insurance company if necessary.
Boat Insurance Information in Indiana
Speak with one of our Trestle Insurance Agency Inc. representatives. An agent who serves Evansville, IN can assist with your questions about boat insurance. They will suggest boat insurance coverage types that will protect your watercraft while it is docked.
Motorcycles Vs. Motor – Driven Cycles: What’s the Difference?
Drivers of motorcycles and motor-driven cycles in Indiana may often question the differences between these two types of vehicles. A motorcycle is primarily designed with a seat or saddle for its rider and typically moves on two to three wheels. To legally operate a motorcycle, an individual must have a motorcycle endorsement added to their driver’s license.
We’re Here to Guide You
Motorcycle riders are mandated to hold insurance. At Trestle Insurance Agency Inc., we can alleviate your queries about motorcycle laws and insurance. Our knowledgeable agents are well-versed in Indiana’s motorcycle regulations and can guide you through your insurance options. While motorcycle riders are bound to carry bodily injury and property damage coverage, gaining liability insurance coverage is also recommended.
A motor-driven cycle, similar to a motorcycle, is designed with a seat or saddle and operates on two to three wheels. The primary distinction between the two lies in their cylinder capacities. A motor-driven cycle is characterized by a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters. Moreover, they can be operated by drivers aged 15 and above.
Noteworthy constraints exist regarding motor-driven cycles. They have a preset top operating speed of 35 mph and cannot accommodate passengers. Operating them on highways or sidewalks is also prohibited. Helmets are mandatory for drivers under 18, whether riding motorcycles or motor-driven cycles.
Trestle Insurance Agency is a family-owned insurance firm that has been serving drivers in Evansville, IN, for over 50 years. Our agents are prepared to discuss the specifics of your insurance options with you. Our mission is to offer you the adequate protection required at an affordable price. Feel free to call us and have your motorcycle insurance queries answered.