By Tito Bucheli
Business Development
CA license number: 4309346
NPN: 20806363
Motorcycle insurance is a critical form of financial protection for riders and their bikes. This covers you against a wide range of incidents, including accidents, theft, and other damages. Much like car insurance, most states have legal requirements for a minimum amount of coverage to operate a motorcycle on public roads. CheapInsurance.com, is committed to helping you find reliable motorcycle insurance quotes, making the process of securing coverage simple and straightforward.
CheapInsurance.com by the Numbers
50+
Years of Experience
50+
Insurance Options
50
States Served
$493
Avg. Annual Savings
1.4M+
Customers Helped
3min
Avg. Quote Time
Data Analysis: Annual Savings from Motorcycle Insurance Comparison Sites
What Factors Affect Motorcycle Insurance Quotes?
The price of your motorcycle insurance premium is determined by a variety of factors. Understanding these elements can help you make informed decisions to find the most affordable rate.
Riding History: Your driving and riding record is a factor. A history of accidents, traffic violations or claims will likely increase your rate. A clean record will help you secure a premium.
Rider Profile and Experience: Insurers consider your age, location and the amount of riding experience you have. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration motorcyclists were 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash. Statistically riders under the age of 25 often pay more due to a higher risk of accidents.
Usage And Storage: Whether you use your bike for daily commuting or for occasional recreational riding can influence your rate. Additionally, storing your motorcycle in a locked garage can help lower your premium.
Coverage Limits: Coverage limits set the maximum amount your insurance policy pays for a covered claim. Higher limits give you greater financial protection against major losses, but they increase your overall premium.
Deductibles: A deductible is the dollar amount you pay out of pocket for a covered claim before your insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium, though you pay more out of pocket when you file a claim. State regulations and minimum deductible requirements vary by location.
Credit Score: In a majority of states, your credit score can influence your insurance rate. A good credit score is often viewed as an indicator of behavior, which can lead to affordable motorcycle insurance quotes.
How Does Engine Size Impact Motorcycle Insurance Rates?
Bigger engines usually mean higher insurance costs and insurers look at engine displacement. This is measured in cc and horsepower. More power typically translates to higher speeds, more severe crashes, and costlier claims.
Video Transcript
The following is a transcript of the video above. It has been lightly formatted for readability.
Riders, real talk. Most of you are either overpaying for motorcycle insurance or flying without enough coverage to actually protect you out there. Here’s what a lot of people don’t know.
Your custom parts, your helmet, your gear, a standard policy won’t cover any of that. And if you get hit by an uninsured driver, nearly one in eight people on the road have zero insurance.
Without the right coverage, that bill is coming out of your pocket.
Cheap insurance.com specializes in motorcycle insurance for every type of rider. Cruisers, sport bikes, tourers, even trikes. They compare top rated carriers across all 50 states, and the average rider saves $493 a year just by shopping around.
Take three minutes, free quote, zero pressure, and they’ll actually walk you through what coverage you need so you’re not guessing.
50 years of experience protecting riders. Link in the description. Get your free quote today.
Are Dashcams a Good Way For Proving Fault After A Motorcycle Accident?
Yes, dashcams are one of the most effective tools for proving fault after a motorcycle accident. The video footage provides neutral and objective evidence.
Neutral Fault Determination: Insurance companies and police rely on video footage as evidence to disprove accusations of unfair bias.
Rate Protection: Preventing incorrect fault assignments keeps your driving record clean.
Driver Behavior: According to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), having a camera record encourages better driving habits.
Will Smart Helmets and Telematics Continue?
Yes, smart helmets and telematics are quickly moving from testing to mainstream tools for rider safety.
Telematics systems collect real time data about how you ride. This includes speed, acceleration, braking force, cornering, mileage, and time of day can be captured. Insurers can use that information to have a more detailed analysis of your risk.
Usage Based Savings
When a smart helmet or app data is linked to an insurance program, safe riders can often earn discounts.
Riders who consistently stay within speed limits, avoid harsh braking, and log fewer miles see lower premiums.
Some programs offer an initial “sign up” discount, then adjust rates after reviewing your riding data.
For infrequent or cautious riders, usage based policies can be a good way to pay lower motorcycle insurance rates.
Increased Rate Risk
On the flip side, telematics records your all your habits, not just your good habits.
Frequent speeding, hard braking, aggressive cornering, and lots of night riding can flag you as a higher risk.
In some programs, that can mean smaller discounts, or even higher rates at renewal.
Many riders are willing to share data for lower rates. However, some insureds worry about potential rate increases and data being shared or sold.
Improved Safety Habits
Studies of incentive based telematics show safer driving and riding patterns, especially among moderate risk users.
One provider reported double digit drops in speeding and distracted riding among users.
But those safety gains come with a trade off:
How long the data is held.
Who can access the data, and whether it could be used in claims or lawsuits.
Smart helmets and telematics are likely to play a bigger role in both safety and pricing. Riders need to understand what’s being tracked, and how it may affect bike insurance rates.
Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
Liability Insurance
What Does Liability Motorcycle Insurance Cover?
Motorcycle Liability insurance isn’t for you, it’s for everyone else. If the rider has been found at fault for an accident, this is the part of your policy that provides coverage. It has two distinct protections:
Bodily Injury: This handles the human cost. It covers the other party’s hospital bills, rehab, and lost income. More importantly, it covers your legal liabilty if they decide to sue you.
Property Damage: Whether you clipped a sedan’s bumper or took out a neighbor’s custom fence, this pays for the repairs to their property.
What Are The State Minimums For Motorcycle Insurance?
Except in New Hampshire and Virginia, motorcycle insurance is legally required. Coverage minimums are typically displayed as three numbers, such as 30/60/15. The first number (30) is the $30,000 maximum payout for bodily injury per person, the second number (60) is the $60,000 maximum bodily injury payout per accident, and the third number (15) is the $15,000 maximum payout for property damage per accident.
⚠️ Important: State minimums may not be enough coverage for more serious accidents. Consider higher limits like for better protection.
Collision Coverage
What Does Motorcycle Collision Insurance Cover?
Collision motorcycle coverage pays to repair or replace your motorcycle after an accident, regardless of who is at fault:
- Colliding with another vehicle
- Hitting a stationary object like a tree, pole or guardrail
- Damage from a single-vehicle accident
When Is Motorcycle Collision Coverage Needed?
Motorcycle collision coverage is optional but required if you finance or lease a motorcycle or bike. Even if you own your motorcycle without a loan or lease, collision coverage is recommended when:
- Motorcycle is worth more than $3,000-$4,000
- Can’t afford to replace it out-of-pocket
- Live in an area with high accident rates
How Do Deductibles Work For Motorcycle Collision Coverage?
A deductible, typically $500, $1,000, or $2,000, is the amount paid out of pocket before insurance covers the rest of a claim. Choosing a higher deductible lowers ongoing premium costs.
How much Does Motorcycle Collision Coverage Cost?
Collision coverage adds approximately $150-$250 per year to motorcycle insurance premiums, depending on bike value and amount of deductible selected.
Comprehensive Coverage
What Does Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance Cover?
Comprehensive motorcycle coverage protects non-collision damage, which includes:
- Theft – If your motorcycle is stolen
- Vandalism – Keyed paint, slashed tires, broken windscreen
- Weather damage – Hail, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes
- Fire – Motorcycle fires from any cause
- Falling objects – Trees, branches, debris
- Animal strikes – Hitting a deer or other wildlife
- Riots and civil disturbances
When Do You Need Motorcycle Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage is legally optional, but mandatory if the motorcycle is financed or leased. Comp coverage is required when:
- When living in an area prone to storms, floods, or hail
- Area the motorcycle is garaged or parked has high theft or vandalism rates
- Motorcycle is parked on the street or in an unsecured area
- Motorcycle is worth more than $3,000-$4,000
What Is Usually The Average Cost Of Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance?
Comprehensive coverage typically costs $75-$150/year, less expensive than collision coverage because the risk is lower.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
Is Motorcycle Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) A Safety Net?
While liability covers the other driver, uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage pays for personal damages when an at-fault driver lacks sufficient or any insurance.
What Is In Motorcycle UM/UIM Coverage?
Health & Income: Handles medical bills, physical therapy, and wages lost while you’re off work and recovering.
Bike (UMPD): In certain states, this also covers the repair or replacement of your motorcycle if the at-fault driver is uninsured.
Do I need Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Protection As A Motorcycle Rider?
National data shows that roughly 12% of drivers are on the road are without insurance. In some parts of the country, it is nearly 25%. Without UM/UIM, you are left paying this peril on your own.
Is This Motorcycle UM/UIM Coverage A Legal Requirement?
While some states mandate uninsured motorist coverage and others leave it optional, carrying it is strongly advised to protect against financial loss from uninsured drivers.
Is UM/UIM Expensive To Add For Motorcycles?
Adding UM/UIM to your Motorcycle policy usually costs about as much as a new set of riding gloves or a few tanks of gas. This ranges from $10 to $25 per month.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Is PIP Good No-Fault Protection for Motorcycle Riders?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP), often called no-fault insurance, covers medical costs immediately after an accident, regardless of who caused it or whether a police report or lawsuit has been filed.
What Does Motorcycle PIP Pay For?
A standard motorcycle PIP claim can help with:
Medical Expenses: Everything from the initial ambulance ride, surgery, meds and long-term rehab.
Paycheck Gap: If you’re stuck in a hospital bed and can not work, PIP can reimburse lost income.
Daily Expenses: This is the human part of the policy, it pays for childcare, lawn maintenance, or house cleaning if your injuries prevent you from doing them.
Final Expenses: Funeral costs in the event of a fatal accident.
What’s the Difference Between Motorcycle PIP And Med-Pay?
Medical Payments (Med-Pay) is a lower-cost alternative to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that covers only direct medical bills after an accident. Unlike PIP, Med-Pay does not cover lost wages or essential daily expenses like childcare.
Does PIP Coverage From My Car Insurance Cover My Motorcycle?
PIP coverage does not automatically extend from auto policies to motorcycles. Due to higher riding risks, many states exclude PIP from standard motorcycle insurance or offer it only as an add-on. In no-fault states like Florida or Michigan, specific rules apply, making it essential to confirm whether state law classifies a motorcycle as a motor vehicle for PIP eligibility.
How Much Does Motorcycle PIP Cost?
Due to its broad coverage, Personal Injury Protection typically adds $12 to $35 monthly to a premium, depending on the chosen deductible and motorcycle model.
Additional Coverage
How Can I Customize My Motorcycle Insurance Protection?
Standard policies cover stock bikes. Riders with custom add-ons need supplemental coverage to bridge the protection gap.
Roadside Assistance & Towing: Motorcycles are difficult to tow without the right equipment. For roughly $2 or $3 a month, this protection covers costs of a flatbed tow, fuel delivery, or a jump start when you’re stranded.
Custom Parts & Equipment (CPE): Most standard policies only cover the bike as it rolled off the factory floor. When you’ve added a custom exhaust, chrome work, or high-end saddlebags, a CPE endorsement is needed. Without it, your $3,000 in upgrades will not be paid in a total loss claim.
Safety Apparel Coverage: Helmet, leathers, and boots aren’t just clothes, they’re an investments for your safety. This coverage ensures that when your $700 Arai helmet or your leather jacket is damaged in a slide accident, you aren’t on your own paying to replace them.
Gap Insurance: Bikes depreciate fast. When you financed your ride with a small down payment and your motorcycle is totaled in an accident, you might owe the bank. Loan could be $12,000 on a bike that’s only worth $9,000. Gap coverage pays that $3,000 difference so you aren’t stuck paying off a loan.
Guest Passenger Liability: In many states, standard Bodily Injury doesn’t automatically cover the person riding with you. For frequent 2-up riding, this non-negotiable addition protects your passenger’s medical bills.
Rental Reimbursement: When your bike serves as your daily commute, you need alternative transportation while it stays in the repair shop. This coverage pays for a rental while your claim is being processed.
When Should I Add Optional Motorcycle Insurance Coverage?
- New motorcycle is purchased with loan or lease – gap insurance
- Long commutes for work or frequent road trips – roadside assistance
- No backup vehicles for transportation – rental reimbursement
- Frequently riding with passengers – guest passenger liability
Tito Bucheli, licensed insurance agent and analyst of CheapInsurance.com, recommends that motorcycle riders should treat the national average as a starting point, not a final number.
“An average of about $493 a year gives riders a realistic expectation, but it does not mean that is what you personally should pay. Motorcycle insurance pricing is highly individualized. Some riders can land well below that number simply by comparing options and adjusting deductibles or coverage limits to fit their situation.”
The real difference shows up when you actually start looking at more than one quote.
Motorcycle Insurance Basics
What is the difference between actual cash value, agreed value, and replacement value?
Actual Cash Value (ACV) is the amount your motorcycle’s currently worth after depreciation has been applied. Actual Cash Value usually equals the market value of the motorcycle.
Agreed Value is the amount that you and the insurer agree on before you purchase the policy. Agreed Value will be the payout if your motorcycle is completely lost.
Replacement Value is the cost required to acquire a motorcycle that has the same or very similar specifications. Replacement Value is used when you want a bike, after a loss.
Are older motorcycles cheaper to insure?
Yes. Older motorcycles are usually less powerful so insurers see them as lower risk. However, the rules can change for vintage motorcycles. The high cost of parts makes repair bills rise. Consequently, these costly repairs can push insurance premiums higher.
Can I bundle motorcycle insurance with other insurance policies?
Yes, bundling your insurance policies is a great way to save money. Most insurance companies offer a multi-policy discount when you combine policies.
Is motorcycle insurance hard to get?
No, the process is very straightforward. After using our tool to compare quotes you will simply need to provide some information to the insurance company. That information includes your name, your address, your motorcycle license number and details about your bike. Additionally the make the model, the year and the engine size of your bike.
Why is motorcycle insurance so expensive for some riders?
High premiums can happen for a couple reasons:
Age is one factor. People under 25 are seen as risk so they often pay more.
Where you live matters. If you’re in a place, with lots of traffic or high crime your insurance cost might go up.
Your driving history also plays a role. A bad record means higher rates.
Additionally, if there are many drivers without insurance where you live that can drive up your premium as well.
Why do I need a motorcycle insurance policy?
While you might only ride for months at a time each year, having a motorcycle insurance policy is very important for your financial safety. The chance of an accident is big. A motorcycle insurance policy will help pay for injuries and damage to your motorcycle. Theft is also an issue and comprehensive coverage makes sure you can buy a new bike if yours is stolen. A sudden event like your motorcycle falling on its side can also be expensive.
What is the minimum motorcycle insurance coverage required by law?
Many states require a minimum amount of liability coverage to operate a motorcycle legally, which typically includes coverage for injury and property damage. However, those minimum limits are often not enough to cover the cost of a serious accident. CheapInsurance.com recommends buying higher limits of liability coverage, since they provide greater financial protection and more peace of mind for anyone who rides a motorcycle.
Does a motorcycle license affect my insurance rates?
At CheapInsurance.com, with over 50 years of insurance experience, we’ve seen that motorcycle licenses and any endorsements matter a lot. Insurance companies will ask for your license number and take a look at your riding history for problems like traffic tickets or at-fault accidents. Those issues will raise motorcycle insurance premiums.
Can a Motorcycle Camera Help Prove Fault After an Accident?
Footage from a camera on a motorcycle or on a helmet can help show what happened after an accident. An insurer, a police officer, or an attorney can use footage together with witness statements, photos and the police report to decide who is at fault.
Good camera footage can help protect a rider from a liability decision. Having a camera does not mean an insurer will say a rider is innocent or that a rider’s premium will not rise. Also, motorcycle cameras usually do not give riders an insurance discount.
Does Telematics Lower Motorcycle Insurance?
Telematics can help certain riders get rates or special discounts when an insurer has a program based on how the motorcycle is ridden. These systems can track things like speed and how hard the rider brakes. Additionally, how quickly the rider accelerates and how many miles are driven how long the rider is on the road.
Good riding habits can result in lower costs but each program has different rules. Some insurance companies only use the telematics data to decide on discounts. Others might use the data in a wider way when setting future rates. Riders need to check how the insurance company gathers, keeps and uses their data before signing up for the program.
Does taking a safety course lower my insurance rates?
Yes, completing a safety course is one of the most effective ways to lower your insurance rate. Many insurers offer a discount because it demonstrates that you are a responsible rider.
How can I find the cheapest motorcycle insurance rate?
Compare Motorcycle Insurance Quotes: Different insurers have different pricing models. Use a comparison site like CheapInsurance.com to see rates from multiple companies.
Pick a Higher Deductible: This will lower your overall premium, but you will pay more out-of-pocket if you have an at fault claim.
Maintaining a Clean Riding Record: Avoid frequent traffic violations and accidents to keep your rates low.
Look for Discounts: Ask about discounts for things like a good driving record, bundling policies, and completing a safety course.
Is it better to pay for motorcycle insurance every 6 months or monthly?
Choosing to pay for your policy a year or every six months can often give a discount compared to paying monthly. Paying a large payment also removes extra administrative fees that may appear in monthly billing. If a single large payment is not possible, splitting the policy into two payments a year or monthly is an alternative.
How does my location impact my insurance rate?
Your specific location, down to your zip code, plays a major role in setting your motorcycle insurance rate. Insurers carefully evaluate local risks such as heavy traffic, regional weather patterns, and motorcycle theft rates in your area. They also factor in local repair costs and local claims history to calculate your final rate.
What is a motorcycle endorsement?
A motorcycle endorsement is a certificate that appears on a driver’s license and gives the driver permission to ride a motorcycle. To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, the driver must pass both a written knowledge test and a skills test. Without a motorcycle endorsement, the driver cannot meet the requirements needed for motorcycle insurance.
What if I have a learner’s permit? Can I get insured?
Motorcycle insurance can be obtained with a learners permit. Motorcycle insurance laws and requirements apply to all riders regardless of whether you have a license or a permit. Proof of motorcycle insurance is required before riding.
What happens if I finance my motorcycle?
If you finance your motorcycle, your lender will require you to carry full coverage insurance to protect their investment. This typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage, in addition to the state-mandated liability insurance. You must have this coverage in place before you can take the bike from the dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Insurance
What does motorcycle insurance cover?
Motorcycle insurance typically includes liability coverage for injuries or property damage you cause to others. Many riders also purchase collision coverage for damage to their own bike, comprehensive coverage for theft or weather-related damage, and optional protections like roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage.
Why is motorcycle insurance often more expensive than car insurance?
Motorcycle insurance rates can be higher due to the increased risk of injury in accidents, higher claims severity, and the cost of repairing or replacing motorcycles. Riders with limited experience or who own high-performance bikes may see higher premiums.
How can I lower my motorcycle insurance premium?
You can reduce motorcycle insurance costs by comparing quotes from multiple insurers, completing a motorcycle safety course, maintaining a clean driving record, choosing a higher deductible, and taking advantage of discounts for bundling policies or installing safety features like anti-theft devices.