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Arkansas Car and Motorcycle Insurance Law
Required Minimum Bodily Injury Coverage
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$25,000 per person injured in any one accident and $50,000 for all
persons injured in any one accident
Required Minimum Property Damage Coverage
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$25,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one
accident
Required Medical Expense or First-Party Benefits
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Automobile owners are required to purchase minimum amounts of
first-party coverages that pay benefits without regard to fault. These
coverages include payment of medical and hospital benefits and funeral
expenses incurred within 24 months after an accident of up to $5,000
per person; 70 percent of loss of income from work during a period
starting eight days after the accident, and not to exceed 52 weeks,
and subject to a maximum of $140 per week; and accidental death
benefits of $5,000.
Optional Insurance Coverage
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Automobile Liability Insurance Policies vs. Motor Vehicle Liability
Insurance Policies
Arkansas distinguishes “automobile” policies
from “motor vehicle” policies. Under Arkansas law, the definition of
an “automobile” includes a car, and the definition of a “motor
vehicle” includes a motorcycle. The law addresses optional coverages
which must be offered to purchasers of automobile liability policies.
The law does not address any legal requirements as to what optional
coverages insurance companies must offer to motorcyclists. This does
not mean, however, that a motorcycle owner cannot purchase optional
insurance. It only means that optional insurance coverage for
motorcyclists is a matter of contract law. In other words, the
insurance company is free to offer or not offer optional coverage to
motorcyclists.
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Uninsured (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
Arkansas
law requires insurance companies to offer UM and UIM coverage to
purchasers of automobile liability insurance. UM and UIM coverages are
coordinated, and a purchaser cannot buy UIM unless UM is elected. If
purchased, UM and UIM must be coordinated in at least the minimum
amounts required for bodily injury liability policies
Special Rules for Motorcycle Owners
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Insurance companies are not required to offer UM/UIM coverage to
motorcycle owners. They are also not required to offer medical expense
or first-party medical benefits to motorcycle owners.
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