QUICK ANSWER
Utah requires all riders to carry a 30/65/25 liability policy. This means your insurance must provide $30,000 for individual injury, $65,000 for total injuries per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. Unlike cars, motorcycles in Utah aren’t required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), but you must have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage unless you waive it in writing. If you’re caught without a policy, expect a $400 fine and a suspended license. The fastest way to save? Finish a certified safety course to skip the DMV skills test and snag an automatic premium discount.
As Featured in
Utah uses a no-fault system for cars, but that term is tricky for bikers. While car drivers get Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to cover their own medical bills regardless of who caused the crash, motorcyclists usually don’t. This makes your choice of liability and UM/UIM limits much more important.
Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
What It Covers
Liability insurance covers damages you cause to others in an at-fault accident. It includes two components:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal fees if you injure someone in an accident
- Property Damage Liability: Covers damage to another person’s vehicle, building, fence, or property
State Minimum Requirements
Every state (except NH and VA) requires minimum liability coverage, typically expressed as three numbers (e.g., 25/50/10):
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage per accident
⚠️ Important: State minimums may not be enough for serious accidents. Consider higher limits like 100/300/100 for better protection.
Average Cost
Liability-only insurance averages $154/year nationally but varies by state and driver profile.
What It Covers
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your motorcycle after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It covers:
- Damage from colliding with another vehicle
- Damage from hitting a stationary object (tree, pole, guardrail)
- Damage from single-vehicle accidents (rollover, running off road)
When You Need It
Collision coverage is optional but required if you finance or lease your motorcycle. Even if you own your motorcycle outright, collision coverage is recommended if:
- Your motorcycle is worth more than $3,000-$4,000
- You can’t afford to replace it out-of-pocket
- You live in an area with high accident rates
How Deductibles Work
You choose a deductible (typically $500, $1,000, or $2,000). If you file a claim, you pay the deductible and insurance covers the rest. Higher deductibles = lower premiums.
Average Cost
Collision coverage adds approximately $150-$250/year to your premium, depending on your vehicle value and deductible.
What It Covers
Comprehensive coverage (often called “comp” or “other than collision”) protects your motorcycle from non-collision damage, including:
- 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 You Need It
Comprehensive is optional but required by lenders if you finance or lease. Consider comp coverage if:
- You live in an area prone to storms, floods, or hail
- Your area has high theft or vandalism rates
- You park on the street or in an unsecured area
- Your motorcycle is worth more than $3,000-$4,000
Average Cost
Comprehensive coverage typically costs $75-$150/year, less expensive than collision because the risk is lower.
What It Covers
Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if you’re hit by a driver who:
- Has no insurance (uninsured motorist)
- Has insufficient coverage to pay for your damages (underinsured motorist)
- Flees the scene (hit-and-run)
UM/UIM coverage typically includes:
- Bodily injury: Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering for you and your passengers
- Property damage: Repairs to your motorcycle (in some states)
Why It Matters
According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 1 in 8 drivers nationwide is uninsured. In some states, that number is as high as 1 in 4. Without UM/UIM coverage, you could be stuck paying out-of-pocket if an uninsured driver hits you.
Is It Required?
Some states require UM/UIM coverage, while others make it optional. Even if not required, it’s highly recommended for financial protection.
Average Cost
UM/UIM coverage typically adds $100-$300/year to your premium—a small price for significant protection.
What It Covers
Personal Injury Protection (PIP), also called “no-fault insurance,” covers medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
PIP typically covers:
- Medical bills (hospital, surgery, rehab, prescriptions)
- Lost wages if you can’t work due to injuries
- Funeral expenses
- Childcare costs (if you’re injured and can’t care for children)
- Essential services (housekeeping, lawn care while recovering)
PIP vs. Medical Payments (MedPay)
Some states offer Medical Payments (MedPay) instead of or in addition to PIP. MedPay is similar but typically:
- Covers only medical expenses (not lost wages or other costs)
- Has lower coverage limits
- Is less expensive than PIP
Is PIP Required?
PIP is required in no-fault states (Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and others). Check your state requirements.
The Motorcycle PIP Difference While Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is often a standard inclusion for auto insurance, it works differently for riders. In some states, PIP may be optional or even unavailable for motorcycles. This is primarily due to the increased physical risk inherent to riding; because motorcycle accidents are statistically more likely to result in significant medical costs, insurers price this “no-fault” coverage to reflect that reality.
Average Cost
PIP coverage costs $150-$400/year depending on your state, coverage limits, and deductible.
Optional Add-Ons to Consider
1. Rental Reimbursement
Covers the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim. Typically $20-$40/year.
2. Roadside Assistance
Provides towing, flat tire changes, lockout service, fuel delivery, and jump-starts. Usually $15-$30/year.
3. Gap Insurance
If you owe more on your motorcycle loan than the motorcycle is worth (upside-down), gap insurance covers the difference if your motorcycle is totaled. Essential for new motorcycle buyers with low down payments.
4. Custom Parts & Equipment Coverage
Covers aftermarket upgrades like custom wheels, stereo systems, or performance modifications not covered under standard policies.
5. Safety Apparel Coverage
This pays for the repair or replacement of protective gear, such as your helmet, leather jacket, and riding boots, if they are damaged in a covered accident.
6. Guest Passenger Liability
This is a crucial add-on. This covers the medical expenses of a passenger injured while riding on your motorcycle.
Should You Add Optional Coverage?
Consider your needs:
- New motorcycle with loan → Add gap insurance
- Long commute or frequent road trips → Add roadside assistance
- No backup transportation → Add rental reimbursement
- Ride with passengers → Add guest passenger liability
Mandatory Coverage Requirements
To stay legal on Utah roads, your motorcycle insurance policy must hit these specific minimums:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident.
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident.
- UM/UIM Coverage: Must match your liability limits unless you sign a waiver.
The property damage limit recently jumped to $25,000 because $15,000 just isn’t enough to fix a modern car. If you cause a wreck and the bills exceed your limits, you’re personally on the hook for the rest. Many local riders now opt for 100/300/50 limits to protect their homes and savings.
Local Traffic Laws and Penalties
Utah has unique rules that every rider should know.
- Lane Filtering: Moving between stopped cars at a light is legal, but only on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less. The traffic must be completely stopped, and you can’t go faster than 15 mph.
- Lane Splitting: This is still illegal. Passing moving cars between lanes is a criminal infraction that can lead to a 90-day license suspension.
- Stunt Riding: Performing a wheelie on a public highway is now a specific crime in Utah and can result in losing your endorsement immediately.
Guidance From A Professional
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.
Helmets and Safety Gear
Utah has a tiered helmet law. If you’re under 21, you have to wear a DOT-approved helmet. If you’re 21 or older, it’s your choice. However, if a cop pulls you over for a traffic violation and you’re wearing a helmet, the court might actually give you a small “compliance credit” to reduce your fine.
Pro-Tips for a Cheaper Bill
Want affordable motorcycle insurance? Start with a Utah-approved motorcycle safety course. Most major insurers will give you a break on your premium for three years after you finish it.
Since Utah winters make riding impossible for months, ask about a “lay-up” policy. This lets you pause your liability coverage while the bike is in the garage, keeping only the theft and fire protection active. Finally, always look for a bundling discount. Putting your bike on the same policy as your home or car is usually the fastest way to see a double-digit price drop.
CheapInsurance.com by the Numbers
Motorcycle Insurance
Data analysis: Annual Savings from Motorcycle Insurance Comparison Sites
Founded in California in 1974 as an insurance agency, CheapInsurance.com has spent decades helping people find affordable coverage. Over time, we became one of the first brokerages to go online in 1998, making insurance shopping faster and easier.
Our mission has always been simple: insurance is a basic necessity, not a luxury. That’s why our technology quickly scans the marketplace in seconds, compares rates, and uncovers discounts that might otherwise be missed. In addition, we explain coverage in clear, simple terms.
As a result, people get real options and can avoid overpaying for features they do not need, while still maintaining strong, reliable protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Insurance in Utah
Is motorcycle insurance required in Utah?
Yes. Utah law requires motorcycle riders to carry liability insurance in order to legally operate on public roads. This coverage helps pay for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Riding without insurance can lead to fines, license suspension, and registration penalties.
What motorcycle insurance coverage does Utah require?
Utah requires motorcycle riders to carry liability insurance that meets the state minimum limits for bodily injury and property damage. These minimum requirements satisfy legal obligations, but many riders choose higher limits to provide stronger financial protection after a serious crash.
How can I save money on motorcycle insurance in Utah?
Motorcycle insurance costs in Utah can often be lowered by comparing quotes from multiple insurers, maintaining a clean riding record, selecting a higher deductible, and completing approved motorcycle safety courses. Bundling motorcycle insurance with auto or renters insurance may also reduce overall costs.
