Motorcycle insurance guide: Everything you need to know

Do motorcycles need insurance?

Yes, in most states, motorcycle insurance is required by law, and if you have a loan on your motorcycle, your lender will require you to carry full coverage insurance. Riding without motorcycle insurance leaves you vulnerable to expensive liability claims, the cost of repairing or replacing your bike, and legal consequences for riding without insurance, including fines and license suspension.

How does motorcycle insurance work?

Motorcycle insurance works the same way as car insurance. You pay a premium, and if something goes wrong, you file a claim.

Like car insurance, motorcycle insurance will pay for injuries or damage you cause to others. And, if you carry the right coverage, it will also cover damage to your motorcycle, either from an accident or from theft, vandalism or other non-collision damage.

And, again as with car insurance, you are required to carry proof of insurance to meet state financial requirements.

Types of motorcycle insurance

Many types of vehicles fall under the motorcycle classification for insurance purposes. You can use motorcycle insurance to cover the following:

• ATVs
• Cruisers
• Dirt bikes
• Racing bikes
• Scooters
• Sport bikes
• Touring bikes
• Trikes

The exact list of vehicles and coverage requirements may depend on the insurer you use. So be sure to ask if your vehicle qualifies for motorcycle insurance when shopping around.

What does motorcycle insurance cover?

Motorcycle insurance covers liability, comprehensive and collision, the same core coverages as a car insurance, along with some motorcycle-specific additions, such as equipment coverage and guest passenger liability.

Recommended motorcycle insurance coverage includes:

• Bodily injury and property damage liability. Liability insurance pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. In nearly every state, you are required to have liability motorcycle insurance coverage.
• Comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision insurance covers damage to your bike in a crash, while comprehensive insurance for motorcycles covers theft, vandalism and any other damage that's not from a crash. If you've taken out a loan for your motorcycle, your lender will require full coverage.
• Guest passenger liability. Provides coverage for injuries to passengers on your bike who are not part of your household.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage kicks in if you get into an accident with someone and they're at fault, but they don't have insurance or enough insurance to pay for damages done to you and your bike. 
• Medical payments. This coverage helps to cover medical costs for you, household members, and passengers, regardless of fault. It can fill in some of the gaps in your health insurance, and there is no deductible.
• Personal injury protection (PIP). Personal injury protection is no-fault medical coverage for you, regardless of fault, that is more comprehensive than medical payments coverage. It's required by law in some states and can cover not only medical bills but lost wages and funeral costs.
• Equipment coverage. You can also add coverage for equipment and gear, such as jackets, boots, saddlebags, and other expensive equipment unique to motorcycles.

Expert Advice

Kevin Hamill

Co-owner and insurance agent at Quantum Assurance International in Delaware

Insurance coverage for motorcycles works very similarly to coverage for your car, according to Kevin Hamill, co-owner and insurance agent at Quantum Assurance International in Delaware. At minimum, you should have sufficient liability coverage. If you have a loan on the motorcycle, you will be required to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. "If you own the bike outright, the choice is yours," Hamill says.

What isn't covered by motorcycle insurance?

There are some situations when your motorcycle insurance doesn't apply. They include:

• Racing, competition or track days
• Illegal activity
• Wear and tear or equipment breakdown
• Business use, such as making deliveries

How much is a motorcycle insurance policy?

Motorcycle insurance costs between $250 and $1,500 a year, according to industry data, but the cost varies depending on factors such as your state, coverage level, usage, age, and credit score.

"The minimum cost I have seen is $40 per year, but typically, it ranges from $250 to $1,500 per year," Hamill said.

That means you could pay less than $20 per month. For instance, the average rate for Progressive motorcycle insurance with liability-only coverage is $14.69 per month in low-cost states and $20.31 per month in high-cost states.

If you have a particularly expensive bike, a poor driving record or credit, or little experience riding, you can expect to pay more. And full coverage will cost extra.

Is motorcycle insurance cheaper than car insurance?

Motorcycle insurance is generally cheaper than car insurance. Liability-only motorcycle insurance averages less than $20 a month, while a state minimum car insurance policy averages $62 a month. The main factors that affect how much motorcycle insurance costs are your age, where you live, and the type of motorcycle you have. Younger or less experienced riders usually pay more for motorcycle coverage than those with years of safe riding experience. And if you live in an area where motorcycle theft is common, you will likely have to pay more for insurance.

Sport vs. touring vs. cruiser: How your motorcycle choice affects your insurance rates

Motorcycle insurance rates are determined primarily by the model's value and engine size, not the category of bike. A high-value cruiser or touring bike can cost as much or more to insure than a mid-range sport bike. The more expensive the model and the larger the engine, the higher the premium will be regardless of whether the bike is a cruiser, touring, or sport model.

These are the common motorcycle types and which factors about them may affect insurance rates.

• Cruisers are often considered good bikes for commuting and leisure riding; they generally aren't high-speed, reducing risk.
• A touring bike is usually chosen for riding long distances. Those tend to be bigger bikes, with larger fuel tanks and seating for a passenger, which increases purchase price and therefore insurance rates.
• Sports bikes are built primarily for speed; more powerful engines represent a higher risk of a crash and raise insurance rates.

Other factors that affect motorcycle insurance rates

Your insurer will also look at the bike's safety features and record, theft rates, and your driving history.

• Safety features: Advanced safety features mean lower rates.
• Safety reputation: Safety ratings and crash statistics affect rates.
• Theft track record: Frequently stolen models will see higher rates.
• Your safety record and driving history: If you have a lot of speeding tickets in your past, that can kick up your premiums.

Are there motorcycle insurance discounts?

Motorcycle insurance discounts are available for bundling with auto and home insurance, safe driving, anti-theft and safety equipment, and taking a motorcycle safety course. Some carriers also offer discounts for membership in an approved group.

To save on motorcycle insurance:

• Bundle: If you bundle insurance, you should get a discount (more on this below).
• Avoid accidents: After a few years of safe driving, you should see lower rates.
• Anti-theft discounts: If you have safety equipment to prevent theft or help catch a thief, such as a GPS-driven location device on your bike, you may be able to get a pretty significant discount. 
• Multi-car: A motorcycle policy combined with a policy on your car can get you a discount.
• Take a motorcycle safety course: Many insurers will offer a discount for passing a course.
• Join a group: Some carriers will lower your premiums, often by around 10%, if you're with an approved group such as the American Motorcycle Association, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Gold Wing Touring or Road Riders Association, Harley Owners Group, Honda Riders Club of America, Motorcycle Safety Foundation or Motorcycle Touring Association. You might get even more if you get involved with the group. For instance, GEICO offers up to 20% discounts for instructors with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
• Mention your safety equipment to your insurer: Some insurers will offer discounts if you can demonstrate that you have and wear a helmet and other safety features, such as an airbag in your motorcycle jacket.

Can I bundle home and motorcycle or get a multi-policy discount?

Yes, you can bundle your motorcycle insurance with auto and home or renters insurance for a multi-policy discount.

Bundling means you have multiple insurance policies with the same insurer. So, if you get motorcycle insurance with the insurance company that provides your homeowner's insurance, you may get a discount.

Still, it's essential to comparison shop. If you get 10% off with your current insurer, that doesn't help you if your policy would have been 20% lower with another insurance company.

The most frequent causes of motorcycle insurance claims

Motorcycle accident injury claims are most frequently caused by impaired driving, not wearing a helmet, car doors, and speeding. In 2024, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in motorcycle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That accounted for 16% of all traffic fatalities.

Common causes of motorcycle insurance claims resulting from accidents are:

• Driving while impaired. "Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause accidents, and the driver may face both civil and criminal liability," says Nick Schrader, an insurance agent at Second Western Insurance Services, headquartered in La Cañada Flintridge, California. According to the NHTSA, 40% of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes were impaired.
• Not wearing a helmet. In 2023, 35% of motorcycle fatalities were without a helmet.
• Car doors. Looking out for obstacles is important when riding a motorcycle, especially because auto drivers might not see you coming. "Accidents often occur when a car driver opens the door of their parked car in the path of an oncoming motorcycle," Schrader says.
• Speeding. "Speeding reduces the chance to react to other drivers or vehicles in time to prevent a collision," Schrader says. "The faster the speed, the higher the risk of an accident."