Governor signs Jenkin’s motorcycle liability bill
Currently, motorcycle operators across the state are not required to be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy. A bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Jenkin, R-Prosser, would change this requirement.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1014 into law on Friday. This bill requires all motorcycle operators to be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy or the allowed equivalent according to the terms required by current law.
“People are surprised to learn that motorcycle operators are not required to have liability insurance. My bill simply requires those operating a motorcycle to meet the insurance requirements, or equivalent for registered motor vehicles under current law,” said Jenkin. “When someone gets property damage, or in an accident, with an uninsured motorcyclist, they are stuck filing a claim and potentially paying a higher premium. Having motorcycles insured, just like other vehicles, makes sense.”
Jenkin’s bill goes into effect 90-days after the adjournment of the 2019 session.
