Compare motorcycle passenger coverage

Passengers appreciate this add-on, because it pays for expensive medical bills when you’re at fault in an accident. But, check your policy for passengers protection under bodily injury liability or personal injury protection coverage first.

How does motorcycle passenger coverage work?

Passenger coverage isn’t a specific type of coverage. Your passengers could be covered through:

• Your bodily injury liability, if you’re the one who caused the accident.
• The other driver’s bodily injury liability, if you weren’t at fault in the accident.
• Personal injury protection, if your state allows riders to buy PIP and the coverage extends to passengers.

But in some cases, your insurer may require passengers to filter expenses through their health insurance first, acting as secondary insurance. Review what’s protected under your policy before buying additional protection.

What’s included with motorcycle passenger coverage?

When you invest in added coverage for your riding guests, you’re protecting them and your wallet against:

• Medical expenses. Help your passengers by footing medical bills after an accident.
• Court fees. Safeguard yourself if a passenger takes you to court after an at-fault accident.

Compare companies that offer motorcycle passenger coverage

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Name	Product	Roadside assistance	Accident forgiveness	Available states
Progressive motorcycle insurance		Optional	Yes	All 50 states	Enjoy some of the widest coverage with the lowest price thanks to add-ons and freebies like replacement cost coverage.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Allstate motorcycle insurance		Included free	Yes	All 50 states	One of the longest lists of coverage options for bikes, plus free perks like equipment coverage for your high-end riding gear.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Liberty Mutual motorcycle insurance		Optional	No	All 50 states	Enjoy unique perks along with your wide bike coverage, like free accident forgiveness after going claims-free with any insurer.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The General motorcycle insurance		Optional	No	43 states	Avoid riding interruptions with acceptance as a high-risk driver, help with filing an SR-22 and instant access to proof of insurance.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Is motorcycle passenger coverage worth it?

Motorcycle passenger coverage protects guest riders from the cost of injuries that occur in an at-fault accident. It’s ideal for those who cruise with a passenger regularly. You might consider it if your passengers have limited or no medical insurance, or if you want to add a layer of liability.

Another reason to add passenger coverage is because of the added risk of riding a motorcycle. Motorcycle riders are 27 times more likely to get in a fatal accident than riding in a car, according to a 2017 NHTSA motorcycle statistics report. And accidents on a bike tend to be more severe.

What’s not covered by motorcycle passenger coverage?

Passenger coverage is typically part of your bodily injury liability, covering only the medical and court expenses related to an accident. Keep in mind that this option typically doesn’t cover:

• Driver’s medical bills. If the rider of the bike wants protection, that rider will have to rely on medical payments coverage or health insurance. Make sure you know who’s covered before deciding who will drive.
• Lost wages. This benefit is sometimes covered under personal injury protection (PIP), if a state allows motorcyclists to buy it.
• Childcare. Passengers can only get this benefit with PIP coverage that includes passenger coverage.
• Health insurance copays and deductibles. If you do filter expenses through your healthcare first, you’ll be responsible for your own copays and deductible, unless you have PIP.

Motorcycle passenger coverage in action

While Dave was giving Kim a lift to work one day, he rear-ended a car at a stoplight. Dave experienced a back injury, and Kim injured her leg, incurring $500 each in medical expenses.Dave’s collision insurance covered his bike damage after his deductible, while medical payments and passenger coverage paid for all medical bills. Without passenger coverage, Dave would have paid $500 out of pocket.

Bottom line

Passenger coverage works much like bodily injury liability, but for your passengers. However, keep in mind what this coverage protects before you decide which passenger insurance options are right for you.

Common questions about motorcycle passenger coverage

• What’s the difference between motorcycle passenger and liability coverage?

  Passenger coverage protects riders on the back of your own bike and kicks in during at-fault accidents. Liability coverage pays medical bills and property damage for the others involved, including passengers, during at-fault accidents.

• When would I file injuries with the other driver’s insurance?

  You can file a bodily injury claim with the other driver’s insurance if that driver caused the accident. Your claim can include physical damage to your bike and driver and passenger injuries.

• Why do some states not allow motorcycle PIP coverage?

  Only a few states allow riders to get PIP because bike accidents cause more severe injuries. The legal exclusion may help insurance companies keep costs low and avoid expensive injury claims. PIP is a broad form of medical coverage, including protection for childcare, lost wages or funeral expenses.