Enjoy your short-term ride with minimal to zero-deductible coverage.
Motorcycle rental insurance provides liability and add-on coverage for peace of mind during your ride. That coverage can include basic insurance and additional liability, theft and property damage — even personal property loss. You might also see this coverage referred to as short-term or temporary motorcycle insurance.
Is motorcycle rental insurance worth it?
Motorcycle rental insurance can save you money and heartache down the road if you get into an accident on a rental bike. Many rental insurance policies start at $15 or $25 per day. However, add-on coverage like theft and property damage can go for a similar rate, making your total cost closer to $30 to $50 per day.
This insurance type works best for:
- Bikers whose current insurance doesn’t cover rental bikes
- Anyone renting a motorcycle for both short- and long-term periods
Compare companies that offer motorcycle rental insurance.
What’s included with motorcycle rental insurance?
Rental coverage can vary based on the provider and coverage options you choose. Common coverage options include:
- Minimum liability. Ensures that you meet state minimum requirements for bodily injuries or physical damage to another driver’s vehicle.
- Supplemental liability. This coverage provides additional liability above the state minimum.
- Physical damage. Covers physical damage you cause to the rental motorcycle.
- Comprehensive or theft. Protects the bike from other unexpected situations like theft, weather damage or vandalism. Some companies provide theft-only coverage.
- Personal property loss. Pay for theft or damage to personal belongings if you’re in an accident with a rental.
- Full coverage. Some companies provide “walk-away” coverage — in which they claim you can simply walk away from the accident without paying out of pocket, even if the motorcycle gets totaled.
How does motorcycle rental insurance work?
You can purchase motorcycle rental insurance in three places: at the bike rental company, through your current insurance provider or with a specialty rental insurer. Buying from the bike rental company is the most convenient place, but your insurance provider or a specialty insurer might offer features or perks not available from the rental company.
The process for getting motorcycle rental insurance goes like this:
- Choose if you want minimum liability insurance included with the rental.
- Decide on supplemental liability and any other coverage like comprehensive or physical damage.
- Provide a security deposit. The deposit may total anywhere from $100-$5,000, depending on the company and coverage plan.
- Choose a deductible, which could be anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 — though some plans offer zero deductible coverage. If you get into an accident with the rental, you’ll need to pay this deductible first before the liability or add-on coverage kicks in.
Motorcycle rental insurance in action
Jack and Linda are touring the coast this summer on rental bikes. However, they discover that their current motorcycle insurance won’t cover them while riding the rentals. They decide to buy the insurance from the rental company for convenience.
Because Jack and Linda are riding long distance, they decide they need more than the minimum coverage. Their costs for insurance, per bike per day, total $75, which breaks down to:
- $15 liability insurance up to $300,000 maximum
- $10 theft and damage coverage
- $10 roadside assistance
- $40 personal property and trip interruption coverage
Jack and Linda can now ride knowing they have wide coverage over the bikes and their belongings.
What’s not covered by motorcycle rental insurance?
Bike rental insurance may not cover some situations, including:
- Bike theft when not properly locked up
- Bike damage resulting from negligence, such as failing to respond to an engine oil light
- Additional drivers not stated on the rental agreement
- Damage to personal motorcycles
- Damage to personal trailers used to transport or tow-behind the rental bike
- Medical payments for at-fault riders
Bottom line
When buying motorcycle rental insurance, you can choose coverage as low as the minimum state requirements. Or you can get a wide coverage plan that includes trip interruption, roadside assistance and personal property loss.
Compare motorcycle insurance options to get peace of mind while riding your rental.
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