Insuring a motorcycle is not like insuring a car. The risks are higher, the medical bills are steeper, and the coverage nuances—like whether your passenger is covered—can be surprisingly complex.
Whether you ride a cruiser, a sport bike, or a touring rig, this guide will help you build a policy that protects you, your bike, and your gear.
Part 1: Mandatory vs. Recommended Coverage
Liability (Mandatory)
Like cars, almost every state requires you to carry liability insurance.
- Bodily Injury (BI): Pays for injuries you cause to others.
- Property Damage (PD): Pays for damage you cause to others' property (cars, fences).
- Recommendation: Do not stick to state minimums (often $25,000). A multi-vehicle motorcycle accident can easily exceed $100,000 in damages. Aim for $100/300/50 limits.
Guest Passenger Liability (Critical)
Warning: In some states, standard liability does NOT cover a passenger on the back of your bike. If you ride two-up, you must verify that "Guest Passenger Liability" is included. If not, and you crash, you are personally liable for your friend's medical bills.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) (Highly Recommended)
Motorcyclists are at high risk of being hit by distracted drivers. If that driver has no insurance (or state minimums), UM/UIM pays for your medical bills and lost wages. Given the severity of motorcycle injuries, this is often the most important coverage on your policy.
Part 2: Protecting the Bike
Collision & Comprehensive
- Collision: Pays to repair your bike if you hit a car, tree, or guardrail.
- Comprehensive: Pays for non-crash damage: theft, fire, vandalism, or hitting a deer.
- Theft Risk: Motorcycles are stolen at a much higher rate than cars because they can be lifted into a van. Comprehensive coverage is essential if you park outside.
Custom Parts & Equipment (CPE)
Standard policies cover the "stock" factory bike. If you have added chrome, saddlebags, a custom fairing, or a specialized exhaust, you need CPE coverage.
- Most policies include $1,000 - $3,000 of CPE for free.
- If you have a $30,000 custom chopper, you need to buy extra CPE coverage and keep receipts for every part.
Safety Apparel
This covers your helmet, jacket, boots, and gloves if they are damaged in a crash. Good gear costs hundreds of dollars; ensure your policy covers at least $1,000 for apparel.
Part 3: Cost Factors
Motorcycle insurance premiums vary wildly based on:
- Type of Bike: A 1000cc sport bike (high speed, high risk) can cost 4x more to insure than a 1500cc cruiser (lower accident rate).
- Age & Experience: Riders under 25 pay a premium.
- Location: Riding season length matters. Florida riders pay more than Maine riders because they ride (and crash) year-round.
- Storage: Garage-stored bikes are cheaper to insure than street-parked bikes.
Part 4: Discounts and Lay-Ups
- Motorcycle Safety Course: Taking a generic MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course can drop your rate by 10-15%.
- Lay-Up Policy: If you live in a cold climate, switch your policy to "Lay-Up" status in the winter. This suspends liability/collision coverage (saving money) but keeps comprehensive active (protecting against theft/fire) while the bike is stored.
- H.O.G. / Group Member: Members of riding groups often get discounts.
Rider's Checklist
- Check Passenger Coverage: Essential if you ever carry a passenger.
- Inventory Custom Parts: Do your upgrades exceed the $1,000 standard limit?
- Buy High UM/UIM Limits: Protect your own body from uninsured drivers.
- Get a Winter Strategy: Ask about lay-up options.
Ride safe. Ride insured. Compare motorcycle insurance quotes.