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Your heart’s racing, you’re sweating profusely and you know all eyes are on you. First day on a new job? That recurring dream where you’re standing in front the school in just your underwear? Nah, you’re just riding high on your motorcycle, boat or watercraft.

You’ve waited all winter to feel this exhilaration, and now spring has finally sprung.  But, before you back that trailer down the ramp or take your bike out of storage, you’ll want to ask yourself one thing. Are your “toys” ready for spring?

Know Your Motorcycle

Whether you still ride with a death grip or have so many bikes in your garage there’s no room for a car, you should know what to look for before twisting that throttle. Before you even step outdoors, you’ll want to make sure you are covered with quality New Jersey motorcycle insurance. Of course you don't plan on having an accident or getting it stolen, but if bad luck comes your way, you'll be thankful you have the right bike insurance plan.  Coverage of everything from Collision, Comprehensive, Medical Payments, Property Damage, Bodily Injury Liability, Pedestrian PIP/ Guest Liability and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury will go miles for you when you encounter unlucky situations. For more information on NJ Motorcycle Insurance, click here.

Once you have your insurance squared away, it’s time to think about your bike on the open road.  Motorcycles, if winterized and stored properly, are relatively easy to get ready for the upcoming riding season. Here are a few quick-and-easy tips to get the most out of your motorcycle this season:

• Check battery terminals (clean, if necessary, with baking soda and water).
• Dry or apply an after-wash product, then dry.
• Check oil and other lubricants.
• Check cables and lubricate with applicable lubricants.
• Check tire pressure and wear.
• Check, charge or install the battery (positive/red lead first).
• Check all lights and signals to confirm operational and not cracked or broken.
• Check brake fluid level and brake pads/shoes for wear.
• Wash or apply a pre-wash and then thoroughly "bathe" your ride.
• Apply leather treatment to leather components.
• Check drive belt, chain or shaft.
• Polish and wax all chrome and painted parts.
• Add "octane" booster (if desired) to fuel according to directions.
• Clean inside of helmet with mild soap and let dry. Shine outside of helmet.
• Write down beginning mileage.
• Review any notes written before putting your motorcycle in winter storage.

BRACE YOUR BOATS

Whether you like it warm or cold, fresh or salty, the water is calling you and you boat. Are you someone that lives for the power you feel as you throttle up your twin outboards? Or do you enjoy harnessing the wind in your sailboat?

No matter your boating preference, before you jump in this spring, you’ll want to be sure you have the right boat insurance policy to suit your needs. Accidents happen, so you’ll want to insure yourself and your boat against liability and damage. New Jersey boat insurance agency Sharer & Associates can help you navigate the options for affordable boat insurance. Many policies provide coverage for Damage to other boats or docks, Bodily Injury or Death, and Medical Payments.  Click here to view more information about New Jersey boat insurance.

If you winterized your boat, you saved yourself some spring boat prep time and headaches.  And that means the road between your boat and the water is shorter.  What things should go on your to-do list and the shopping list? Here are a few general steps to take before you take the plunge:

• Do a general cleaning of hull, deck and topsides using a mild detergent.
• Make sure drains and scuppers are clear.
• Put on a good coat of wax.
• Clean and polish metal with a good metal polish.
• Clean teak and oil.
• Clean windows and hatches.
• Clean canvas, bimini and dodger.
• Clean interior including bilges.
• Check spare parts and tools, and replace as necessary.
• Inspect the deck making sure your lifelines, pulpits and stanchions are good.
• Make sure your life raft and dinghy are in working order.
• Check and replace wiper blades if necessary.
• Make sure registration is current and onboard.

WARM UP YOUR WATERCRAFT

Part boat, part motorcycle, all fun!  Whether it’s a jet ski, WaveRunner or Sea-Doo, your personal watercraft lets you keep cool and feel cooler as you glide across the water getting soaked by the spray. While these sporty water rides can make you feel like you own the waves, you won’t want to get thrown off by an accident that leaves you and your toy landlocked.

Before you hit the ramp this spring, do yourself a favor and get covered with a watercraft insurance policy.  New Jersey jet ski insurance helps insure you and your watercraft against accidents, vandalism and liability. Whether you operate it yourself or loan it to a friend, you can be covered for situations including Damage to other crafts or docks, Bodily Injury or Death, and towing assistance. Give us a call at 732-446-4919 or submit a quote request through our website to find out how the team at Sharer & Associates can help with NJ insurance for jet skis.

The warm weather and use of personal watercraft are supposed to be all about fun. But as any jet ski owner knows, things don’t always as planned. Put the odds in your favor this season by following these simple steps:

 

·         Check and maintain your battery. Beware of sulfation, which decreases the battery’s ability to hold a charge.

·         If buying a new battery, consider newer alternatives like gel and AGM (absorbed glass mat).

·         Check for corrosion, dirt or moisture built up on the terminals, which drain power.

·         Clean the terminals with a solution of baking soda and water, and rinse with fresh water. Once dry, apply a light coat of waterproof grease to protect the terminals.

·         Flush your engine.

·         Check your engine, check your oil and make sure all your clamps are tight.

·         Wash and wax.

·         Use a quality vinyl protectant to condition the vinyl seat.

·         Don’t forget your trailer. Check tire pressure, check bolts and nuts to make sure things are tight, inspect bunk boards and trailer lights.

 

So you just got a new motorcycle and of course you can’t wait to get on the road. If you’re like many folks, you bought your motorcycle insurance at the same place you bought the bike.  From our experience, that’s often not a good thing.

The challenge with buying motorcycle insurance at the bike shop is that focus can be on minimizing your cost & getting you on your way.  Many riders believe that because they’ll be cautious & will only be riding infrequently, their coverage needs are minimal.  That can be a big mistake.  While the bike is often your favorite "toy", the last thing you want is "toy insurance."

Couple reasons:

• If you’re in a serious accident & for whatever reason you’re at fault, you need liability coverage that is going to protect what the attorney for the other is coming after – namely, your savings & investments, equity in your home and other properties, equity in your business & potentially a portion of your future earnings.  Uh-oh.
• Higher-end bikes often carry nice upgrades (think chrome).  Normally these upgrades are not automatically covered on most motorcycle insurance policies.  Fixing or replacing your bike can cost quite bit more than your coverage affords.  Who makes up the difference?  You do.  Oops.
• Taking your spouse or friend for a ride on your bike.  Are you sure that your passenger has coverage? Be careful, not all NJ insurers offer this coverage. Without it who is responsible? Yikes, you are!

Here are some coverage options available to New Jersey motorcyclists:

• Collision Coverage - covers damages to your bike that result from a collision with another object
• Comprehensive Coverage - covers your bike if it’s damaged by any other reason that doesn’t involve a crash with another vehicle.
• Medical Payments Coverage - helps to take care of the medical expenses that result of any injury to the bike operator
• Property Damage Liability - covers damages to another person’s property when you are at fault in an accident
• Bodily Injury Liability - covers damages that result from injury or death of another driver if you are at fault in the accident
• Pedestrian PIP & Guest Liability - protects pedestrians on the street and passengers on your bike  
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury - covers damages that result from the injury or death of you or a passenger on your motorcycle caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver if the accident is not your fault

Anyone operating any type of vehicle should never overlook or underestimate the need for insurance. The number of potential risks greatly outweighs the price or simple process of getting insurance.

When shopping around for the best motorcycle coverage, it’s really important to find an insurance agent that understands your overall situation so they can craft a policy that protects your lifestyle. Remember, just because you have insurance doesn’t mean you are protected. Take the time to find the right coverage for you and your bike.