A Complete Guide To Motorcycle Insurance

Whether you’re a road warrior seeking adventure or you’re just looking for a way to get around town, there’s nothing quite like driving a motorcycle.

As you would with a car, you’ll need insurance if you want to protect yourself, your passengers and your investment. And just as you’d shop around for auto insurance quotes, you’ll want to find the best insurance for your bike. Here’s NerdWallet’s guide to understanding motorcycle insurance.

Minimum Coverage In Most States

The states we serve require minimum coverage ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 to $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident and $10,000 to $25,000 of property damage coverage.

Make sure to look through our accompanying infographic for more details on the exact coverage limits in your state.

Liability Insurance

“Liability” insurance covers you in the event that you are at fault in an accident, i.e., it helps pay for any damage you cause to persons or property in an accident. Most states require vehicle owners to carry some small amount of liability insurance. Under California law, the minimum liability insurance you can have is $15,000.

But I’m Just A Weekend Rider – Why Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance??

We get this question a lot. First of all, it’s the law. Just as with cars, motorcycles must have state minimum insurance. Unless you specifically add your motorcycle to your existing auto insurance policy, your auto insurance does NOT apply to your motorcycle.

Average Cost Of Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle insurance can cost anywhere from $70 to $2,000 per year or more. Costs are highly dependent on the type of motorcycle you have (standard, sports or touring), the coverage you select and your driving history. According to our secret shopper analysis, minimum coverage ranges from about $75 to $195 per year, and full coverage with higher limits ranges from about $475 to $2200 per year.

Who Needs Motorcycle Insurance?

Anyone who owns a motorcycle should have insurance on it.

Whether you ride frequently or only occasionally, it’s important to protect yourself and your bike from financial loss due to theft or damage.

How Is Your Motorcycle Insurance Calculated?

Anyone who has a history of riding safely is likely to get a good deal on their motorcycle insurance. A safe driving record will have a positive impact on your insurance rates. There may be other factors as well, like age and gender.