UM UIM Motorcycle Accident Illinois: 4 Key Facts

Q: Does my motorcycle policy automatically include UM/UIM coverage?

215 ILCS 5/143a (1) requires the uninsured and hit-and-run coverage described above when the motorcycle policy is in that group. 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 permits a written rejection only of additional uninsured-motorist coverage above the limits in 625 ILCS 5/7-203 . If you are unsure, check your declarations page or contact your insurer.

Last Updated: October 24, 2026

Injured motorcycle riders can use their own UM/UIM coverage if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. 215 ILCS 5/143a(1) provides that the limits for any vehicle under the policy may not be aggregated with the limits for any similar coverage, whether provided by the same insurer or another insurer, applying to other motor vehicles. Subsection (5) of 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 allows a policy to cap recovery under more than one policy at the higher of the applicable limits. Recovery includes medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Motorcycle accidents produce some of the most devastating injuries, broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage. The at-fault driver’s bodily-injury liability coverage follows 625 ILCS 5/7-203. This page does not restate the dollar amount in that section. That is where your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes critical, and motorcycle riders face unique challenges in these claims.

This article is part of our complete guide to UM/UIM claims in Illinois.

Why Motorcyclists Need Higher UM/UIM Limits

Motorcyclists lack the structural protection of a car. No seatbelts, no airbags, no crumple zones. The result is that motorcycle crashes produce injuries disproportionately more severe than car accidents at the same speed. A fender-bender that might cause whiplash in a car can cause a broken femur or a TBI on a motorcycle.

Yet the at-fault driver’s insurance does not care what vehicle you were riding. The at-fault driver’s liability limits are the limits that policy provides. This page does not restate the dollar amounts in section 7-203. If your medical bills hit $200,000, common in a motorcycle crash with surgery and rehab, you need your own UIM coverage to fill the gap.

Motorcycle-Specific UM/UIM Issues

215 ILCS 5/143a(1) requires bodily-injury coverage for uninsured and hit-and-run motor vehicles, at the limits in 625 ILCS 5/7-203, in a policy on a motor vehicle designed for use on public highways that is required to be registered in Illinois or principally garaged in Illinois. A motorcycle policy is in that group when the motorcycle meets that description. 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 permits a written rejection only of additional uninsured-motorist coverage above those limits. However, motorcycle policies sometimes have different coverage structures than auto policies. Some motorcycle-specific issues include:

Coverage rejection. A written rejection under 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 reaches only additional uninsured-motorist coverage above the limits in 625 ILCS 5/7-203. The required coverage in 215 ILCS 5/143a(1) remains.
More than one policy. 215 ILCS 5/143a(1) provides that the limits for any vehicle under the policy may not be aggregated with the limits for any similar coverage, whether provided by the same insurer or another insurer, applying to other motor vehicles. 215 ILCS 5/143a-2(5) allows a policy to provide that recovery under more than one policy may equal, and may not exceed, the higher of the applicable limits. Limits are not increased because more than one motor vehicle is covered under the same policy.
Helmet defense. Illinois does not require motorcycle helmets for adults over 18, so insurers cannot reduce your claim for not wearing one. However, they may argue pre-existing conditions or that your injuries would have been less severe with protective gear.
Comparative fault. Insurers frequently argue motorcyclists were speeding, lane splitting (illegal in Illinois), or otherwise contributing to the accident. This can reduce your UM/UIM recovery.

Filing a Motorcycle UM/UIM Claim

The process is the same as any UM/UIM claim: notify your insurer promptly, document the at-fault driver’s insufficient coverage, gather your medical records and bills, and submit a formal demand. See our step-by-step UM filing guide for the full process. 215 ILCS 5/143a(1) requires a dispute about the uninsured-motorist coverage and the amount of damages to be submitted for arbitration. A decision by the three arbitrators is binding up to $75,000 for bodily injury or death of any one person, $150,000 for bodily injury or death of 2 or more persons in any one crash, or the corresponding policy limits, whichever is less.

If the insurance company denies or delays a motorcycle claim, see our guide to fighting a denied Illinois motorcycle accident claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my motorcycle policy automatically include UM/UIM coverage?

215 ILCS 5/143a(1) requires the uninsured and hit-and-run coverage described above when the motorcycle policy is in that group. 215 ILCS 5/143a-2 permits a written rejection only of additional uninsured-motorist coverage above the limits in 625 ILCS 5/7-203. If you are unsure, check your declarations page or contact your insurer.

Can I use my car insurance UM/UIM coverage for a motorcycle accident?

Possibly. If your auto policy covers you as an individual (not just a specific vehicle), your UM/UIM coverage may extend to motorcycle accidents. Policy language varies, review your auto policy or consult an attorney.

Are motorcycle UM/UIM claims treated differently than car accident claims?

The legal process is the same, but motorcycle claims often involve higher damages and more aggressive insurer pushback on comparative fault. The lack of vehicle protection means injuries are typically more severe, making adequate UM/UIM limits even more important.

Talk to a Peoria UM/UIM Attorney

Call 309-673-0069 or contact us online for a free consultation. At Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law, we handle UM/UIM claims on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Dealing with injuries after a car crash can feel overwhelming. Our Peoria personal injury team can guide you through every step of the legal process.

Need a lawyer? This article is part of our Peoria Uninsured Motorist Lawyer practice area. Call Parker & Parker at 309-673-0069 for a free consultation.

UM/UIM Claims for Injured Motorcycle Riders in Illinois