Getting the bare minimum of motorcycle insurance is often an unwise option. Out of 7 million motorcycles on the roads in America, 114,000 were involved in serious accidents in 2011. Statistics show that you are 37 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than an auto accident, and 9 times more likely to be injured riding than driving.

If you recently purchased or plan to but a motorcycle, moped or, even, a touring bicycle, you should check with your insurance agent about getting a motorcycle insurance policy. These policies cover many common areas with automobile insurance policies, but they can differ on some key points. If you haven’t yet purchased your motorcycle and you are considering purchasing a customized or modified bike, you should inquire with your insurance carrier whether they offer insurance policies on them. Many insurers do not offer policies on bikes that have been modified.

Choosing the right policy for you if you need motorcycle insurance is not a quick or easy set of decisions. The minimum required by most states is liability insurance. This type of insurance will cover any legal awards to other injured parties, including damage to property. Some states, however, require motorcyclists to purchase other types of insurance like comprehensive or collision. If you lease or finance your motorcycle, the lessor or finance company may require that you purchase a collision or comprehensive policy while you are paying off the bike.

Last week California opened its first carbon marketplace which allowed businesses to purchase permits to release one ton of carbon into the environment for $10.09 apiece. The 23.1 million permits sold by the California Air Resources Board was part of an initiative to curtail carbon emissions by California businesses. The permits sold out at the opening of the market after an intense round of bidding that raised the price by nine cents.