Motorcycle insurance is a critical form of financial protection for riders and their bikes, covering 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 and affordable motorcycle insurance quotes, making the process of securing coverage simple and straightforward.
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Motorcycle insurance policies offer comprehensive protection for riders. These plans include standard liability and specialized coverage. You can also protect custom parts and expensive gear. Insurers tailor these options to fit your specific needs. Knowing the different types of coverage available allows you to build a policy to get cheap insurance.
In the eyes of the law, liability insurance isn’t for you—it’s for everyone else. If you’re found at fault for a crash, this is the part of your policy that prevents a mistake from wiping out your bank account. It’s split into 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 defense if they decide to sue you.
Property Damage: This is for the “hardware.” Whether you clipped a sedan’s bumper or took out a neighbor’s custom fence, this pays for the repairs to their property.
Unless you’re riding in New Hampshire or Virginia, you’re legally required to carry a baseline of coverage. You’ll usually see these requirements written in shorthand, like 30/60/15. Here’s how to read that “insurance speak”:
The First Number ($30k): The maximum the policy will pay for injuries to one single person.
The Second Number ($60k): The total “pot” of money available for all injuries in a single accident, regardless of how many people were involved.
The Third Number ($15k): The limit for property damage (cars, structures, etc.).
⚠️ Important: State minimums may not be enough for serious accidents. Consider higher limits like 100/300/100 for better protection.
Liability-only insurance averages $154/year nationally but varies by state and driver profile.
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your motorcycle after an accident, regardless of who is at fault:
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:
Riders 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.
Collision coverage adds approximately $150-$250 per year to your premium, depending on your vehicle value and deductible.
Comprehensive coverage protects your motorcycle from non-collision damage, including:
Comprehensive is optional but required by lenders if you finance or lease. Consider comp coverage if:
Comprehensive coverage typically costs $75-$150/year, less expensive than collision coverage because the risk is lower.
While liability covers the other guy, UM/UIM is for you. If you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance- or doesn’t have enough – this coverage steps in to act as the other driver’s policy.
Your Health & Income: This handles your medical bills, physical therapy, and the wages you lose while you’re off the bike and recovering.
Your Bike (UMPD): In certain states, this also covers the repair or replacement of your motorcycle if the at-fault driver has zero coverage.
National data shows that roughly 12% of drivers are on the road without a shred of insurance. In some parts of the country, those odds jump to nearly 25%. Without UM/UIM, you are essentially gambling that every person you share the road with is financially responsible. If they aren’t, and they hit you, you could be left footing a six-figure medical bill on your own.
It depends on where you live. Some states mandate it as part of your base policy, while others let you opt out. However, most agents consider it essential coverage because it’s the only part of your policy that protects you regardless of how negligent the other driver is.
Adding UM/UIM to your policy usually costs about as much as a new set of riding gloves or a few tanks of gas—often ranging from $10 to $25 per month. Considering the cost of a single ER visit, it’s arguably the most cost-effective protection you can buy.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is often called “no-fault” insurance because it doesn’t wait for a police report or a courtroom battle to start paying out. If you’re down, PIP starts working immediately to cover your recovery costs, regardless of who “caused” the wreck.
It’s much broader than simple medical coverage. A standard PIP claim can help with:
The Medical Tab: Everything from the initial ambulance ride and surgery to long-term rehab and meds.
The Paycheck Gap: If you’re stuck in a hospital bed instead of at your job, PIP can reimburse a portion of your lost income.
Daily Survival: This is the “human” part of the policy—it can pay for childcare, lawn maintenance, or house cleaning if your injuries prevent you from doing them yourself.
Final Expenses: Coverage for funeral costs in the event of a fatal accident.
You might see “Medical Payments” (MedPay) offered as a cheaper alternative. While MedPay is great for basic doctor bills, it’s a “lite” version of protection. It only covers medical costs – it won’t help you pay your rent if you’re out of work, and it doesn’t cover those “essential services” like childcare that PIP handles.
Here is the catch: Just because your car has PIP doesn’t mean your bike does. Because riding is inherently riskier, many states treat motorcycle PIP as an “add-on” or even exclude it entirely from standard policies. In no-fault states like Florida or Michigan, the rules are notoriously specific for riders. Always double-check if your state classifies your bike as a motor vehicle for PIP purposes, as the answer might surprise you.
Because it’s so comprehensive, PIP is usually one of the more expensive line items on your quote. Expect to see it add anywhere from $12 to $35 a month to your premium, depending on your deductible and where you live.
Standard policies are built for “stock” bikes and average risks. But let’s be honest – most riders customize their experience. These add-ons help bridge the gap between a generic policy and the way you actually ride.
Roadside Assistance & Towing: Motorcycles are notoriously difficult to tow without the right equipment. For roughly $2 or $3 a month, this covers the cost of a flatbed tow, fuel delivery, or a jump-start if you’re stranded. It’s significantly cheaper than paying for a private tow out of pocket.
Custom Parts & Equipment (CPE): Most standard policies only cover the bike as it rolled off the factory floor. If you’ve added a custom exhaust, chrome work, or high-end saddlebags, you need a CPE endorsement. Without it, your $3,000 in upgrades might be worth $0 in a total loss claim.
Safety Apparel Coverage: Your helmet, leathers, and boots aren’t just clothes – they’re an investment in your life. This coverage ensures that if your $700 Arai helmet or your leather jacket is damaged in a slide, you aren’t paying full price to replace them.
Gap Insurance: Bikes depreciate fast. If you financed your ride with a small down payment, you might owe $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 for a bike you can no longer ride.
Guest Passenger Liability: In many states, your standard “Bodily Injury” doesn’t automatically cover the person sitting behind you. If you frequently ride 2-up, this is a non-negotiable addition to protect your passenger’s medical bills.
Rental Reimbursement: If your bike is your daily commuter, you’ll need a way to get around while it’s in the shop. This pays for a rental car (usually up to a daily limit) while your claim is being processed.
Consider your needs:
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.
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.
Data analysis: Annual Savings from Motorcycle Insurance Comparison Sites
Generally, yes. Older motorcycles tend to be less powerful, which makes them a lower risk for insurers. However, these rules often change for classic or vintage bikes. The high cost of specialized parts increases repair bills. Consequently, these expensive repairs may raise your insurance premium.
Yes, bundling your insurance policies is a great way to save money. Most insurance companies offer a multi-policy discount. You earn this by combining your motorcycle policy with other coverage. For example, you can bundle your motorcycle with car insurance. You could also include homeowners or renters insurance.
No, the process is very straightforward. After using our tool to compare quotes, you will simply need to provide some basic information to the insurance company, including your name, address, motorcycle license number, and details about your bike (make, model, year, and engine size).
Several factors can lead to high premiums, including your age (riders under 25 are considered higher risk), your location (areas with high traffic or crime rates can increase costs), your driving record, and the number of uninsured drivers in your area.
While you may only ride for a few months out of the year, having a motorcycle insurance policy is critical for your financial protection. The risk of an accident is high, and a policy will cover injuries and damages to your motorcycle. Theft is also a significant problem, and comprehensive coverage ensures you can afford to replace your bike if it’s stolen. An unexpected event, like your motorcycle falling over and sustaining damage, can also be costly without insurance.
Most states mandate a minimum amount of liability coverage to operate a motorcycle legally. This typically includes both bodily injury and property damage liability. However, these minimums are often not enough to fully cover the costs of a serious accident, which is why experts recommend purchasing higher limits for adequate protection.
Yes, your motorcycle license and any endorsements are a key factor. Insurance companies will require your license number and will check your riding record for any violations, such as traffic tickets or at-fault accidents, which can significantly impact your premium.
Yes, completing a motorcycle safety course is one of the most effective ways to lower your insurance premium. Many insurers offer a discount because it demonstrates that you are a responsible rider who has invested in improving your skills and awareness.
Here are some tips for finding the cheapest rates:
Paying for your policy annually or every six months can often result in a discount compared to making monthly payments. Paying in a lump sum eliminates administrative fees that may be included in monthly billing. However, if a lump sum payment isn’t feasible, a six-month or monthly payment plan is a good alternative.
Your specific location, down to your zip code, is a major factor in your premium. Insurers consider local traffic volume, crime rates, especially motorcycle theft rates, weather patterns, and the cost of repairs in your area when calculating your rate.
A motorcycle endorsement is a special certification on your driver’s license that legally allows you to operate a motorcycle. You must pass a written knowledge test and a skills test to receive this endorsement. Having the proper endorsement is a requirement for getting insured.
Yes, you can get motorcycle insurance with a learner’s permit. The same insurance laws and requirements apply to all riders, regardless of whether they have a full license or a permit. You will need to have proof of insurance before you can legally ride.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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