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The likes of Harley-Davidson, Ducati and Triumph stir up high-octane dreams, but motorcycles are generally riskier than their standard four-wheel counterparts. Before you hit the open road, get up to speed with the strongest motorcycle protection you’re eligible for.
What’s the best type of motorcycle insurance for me?
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What’s the best type of motorcycle coverage?
Your motorcycle insurance policy can cover you for legal liability at a minimum. But if you’re willing to pay for a more comprehensive policy, you can extend that protection to nearly any situation involving you, your bike, your passengers and others on the road.
Terms and conditions can be difficult to untangle, but look for key features when considering whether a policy is right for you.
| Coverage | What’s covered? |
|---|---|
| Property damage liability | Damages to someone else’s vehicle or property |
| Bodily injury liability | Medical bills and other related costs, if you injure someone else |
| Collision | Your motorcycle if it’s damaged or written off after an accident |
| Uninsured or underinsured coverage | You, if the person at fault doesn’t have enough coverage for your damages |
| Emergency travel accommodation and repairs | Hotel rooms and assistance getting home if you have an accident far from where you live |
| Rental car | Temporary rental car while your motorcycle is off the road |
| New motorcycle replacement | Your motorcycle, replacing it with the same model if it’s stolen or written off |
| Personal property | The gear you’re carrying when you crash |
| Riding gear | Your leathers and helmet if they’re damaged in an accident |
| Comprehensive coverage | Your motorcycle against theft, vandalism, extreme weather and other damage |
| Gap coverage | The balance on your motorcycle loan if your ride is stolen or written off |
What type of coverage do I need?
What’s right for a rider depends on how much you can afford and the value of your bike. Carefully consider three types of coverage when shopping for a policy:
- Bodily injury liability. Most states require minimum coverage for damages or injuries that result from an accident you’re at fault for.
- Collision damage. Covers the costs to repair or replace your motorcycle when it is damaged in an accident.
- Comprehensive. Protects against damage caused by theft, fire, vandalism, severe weather and similar incidences.
If you’ve recently gotten your license and use a cheap bike to get around, liability insurance might be all you need. But if you’re zipping around on a high-powered machine, you may need more comprehensive protection.
How do I choose the best motorcycle policy for me?
The type of bike you ride affects the coverage and amount of insurance you’ll need. You might want to protect a new, full-powered bike with more comprehensive coverage than, say, a cheap moped or used 20-year-old scooter.
Think too about how you use gear typically associated with riding a bike. For instance, coverage for a replacement helmet is important for everyone. But if you don’t carry your gear with you on your bike, then you might not need it.
Consider liability coverage if:
- Your bike is close to the end of its life.
- Your bike is not worth repairing or replacing.
- You need the bare minimum level of coverage.
- You’re on a tight budget.
Consider collision coverage if:
- You ride a relatively nice bike.
- You can’t afford to pay the cost of repairs out of pocket.
- You plan on riding this bike for the foreseeable future.
- You’re willing to pay extra for more protection.
Consider comprehensive coverage if:
- You ride an expensive bike.
- You can’t afford to repair or replace your bike out of pocket.
- Your bike is at risk of weather damage, vandalism or theft.
- You want full protection and are willing to pay for it.
Are full coverage policies always the best option?
While full coverage insurance covers a lot of what can go wrong with your motorcycle, it isn’t necessarily the best value for all situations.
To avoid overinsuring your bike, consider what it’s worth and how you use it. For example, a 10-year-old 300cc bike might not need comprehensive insurance, as you could end up paying more to insure the bike than it’s actually worth. And a dirt bike that you put on a trailer and take to the farm might not need collision or comprehensive insurance.
How do I get the best deal on motorcycle insurance?
Keep your eye on the road to savings when shopping around for the strongest policy your budget can carry:
- Consider your bike. The newer and more expensive your motorcycle, the more it can cost to insure.
- Adjust your deductible. A higher deductible can reduce your premiums. But you’ll want to be sure you have enough in savings to cover it after an accident.
- Maintain a clean driving record. Heed speed limits and traffic signs to keep your record clean for the lowest premiums.
- Store your bike safely. If your bike’s kept in secure off-street parking and only driven to and from work, you might see a low premium.
- Get the right coverage. Learn about your state’s required minimums and coverage limits, and purchase only what you need.
- Look for discounts. Many savings that apply to cars also apply to motorcycles, like multivehicle, safe driver and other discounts.
- Shop around. In such a competitive market, compare insurers for the right coverage at the best price you’re eligible for.
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