As we all know insurance can be expensive, which is way some employers are beginning to cut some of the cost by revising their health care for their employed. Although this may be sound like a good thing for some, it can be devastating to motorcyclists.
Some companies are now excluding coverage for motorcycle and ATV injuries. This means that employees will now have to go to a private insurance provider to get coverage, in the end costing them more money.
One such company is PITT OHIO, a truck firm in Pittsburgh. The company stated in a memo to employees that the adjusting of health care policies was due to increasing costs. The changes to the policy will take effect in 2013 and will exclude coverage for what they are calling “high-risk activities,” which can be argued as motorcycling, ATV riding, and dirt bike riding, (Health Insurance Discrimination Against Motorcyclists, American Motorcyclists, AMA, Issue November 2012).
The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) stood up for riders' health insurance rights back in 1990s when several companies were excluding coverage for motorcycle and ATV riding. The AMA teamed up with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation to establish in the Congressional Record the specific intent by Congress's to abolish this discrimination as part of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed in 1996, (Health Insurance Discrimination Against Motorcyclists, American Motorcyclists, AMA, Issue November 2012).
Although this was recognized, the law was revised; employers were allowed to deny coverage for injuries related to motorcycling, but not to actually deny an employee health care coverage overall. This is how employers are now attempting to dodge paying for motorcycle accident related injuries.
Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager of AMA, is offended by the discrimination towards motorcyclists and believes that “accountants and managers are making decisions based on the bottom line that are a direct assault on our passion. For motorcyclists affected by this gross discrimination, it is effectively a death sentence for their motorcycling lifestyle,” (Health Insurance Discrimination Against Motorcyclists, American Motorcyclists, AMA, Issue November 2012).
Be sure to look over your current insurance policy for any “exclusions.” The language may be worded from specifically citing motorcycles to merely listing it as “extreme” activities. Insurance company attorneys will argue motorcycle, ATV riding and dirt bike riding as such activities in court.
If you notice such exclusions in your policy the AMA wants to hear from YOU! They are fighting again to protect health care rights for motorcyclists. Please contact them at
submissions@ama-cycle.org. All submissions will remain confidential.
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