How Much Is Motorcycle Insurance?
The average cost of minimum-coverage motorcycle insurance is $68 per month. Your premium will depend on the type of bike you have, your location, and where you store it.
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Written byCatherine Collins
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13+ years creating insurance and personal finance content
Co-founded MillennialHomeowner.com
Catherine leverages her background in education and finance to write articles that help readers make informed decisions about their insurance and finances.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated December 13, 2023
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Table of contents
If you’re in the market for a motorcycle, it’s important to shop around for motorcycle insurance too. Like car insurance, motorcycle insurance can protect you financially if you have an accident. Motorcyclists must meet their state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Because motorcyclists aren’t inside a vehicle, accidents are more likely to result in injury or death. In the U.S., motorcycles comprise 3% of registered vehicles and 0.6% of vehicle miles traveled, but motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Safety Council.[1]
Here’s what you need to know about the cost of motorcycle insurance.
Save with VOOM Pay-Per-Mile Motorcycle Insurance
Rates start at $68 for minimum coverage
Average cost of motorcycle insurance
The type of motorcycle you have can influence how much you pay for coverage, but not by much. The amount of coverage you buy has a greater effect on average costs. Motorcycle drivers with minimum-coverage insurance tend to pay much less than drivers with full-coverage insurance.
Here are the average costs of motorcycle insurance for drivers of standard, sports, and touring bikes.
Motorcycle Type ▲▼ | Minimum Coverage ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bike | $68 | $148 |
| Sports bike | $68 | $149 |
| Touring bike | $68 | $148 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
What influences the cost of motorcycle insurance?
As with car insurance, a number of other factors also affect the cost of your motorcycle insurance premiums, including your age, ZIP code, driving record, credit history, claims record, and where you store your bike.[2] Insurers look at these factors to determine how much risk you pose as a driver. People who demonstrate more risk will likely pay higher premiums.
Age
Your age can affect the cost of your motorcycle insurance. Drivers younger than 21 typically pay the highest motorcycle insurance premiums on average due to their lack of driving experience and higher accident frequency. A 50-year-old driver pays much less on average for motorcycle insurance coverage than an 18-year-old. On average, 18-year-old motorcyclists pay $533 per month for coverage.
Age ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| 18 | $533 |
| 21 | $273 |
| 25 | $183 |
| 30 | $162 |
| 40 | $148 |
| 50 | $138 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Location and storage
Where you live and where you store your motorcycle also affect your insurance rates. Drivers who live in larger cities typically pay more than motorcyclists in rural areas driving on less congested roads. Cities tend to have busier roads and higher crime and theft rates, which can increase insurance premiums.
Georgia offers the cheapest average motorcycle insurance quote, at $75 per month, and motorcyclists in New York face the most expensive average quote, at $305 per month.
State ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $144 |
| Alaska | $131 |
| Arizona | $184 |
| Arkansas | $172 |
| California | $92 |
| Colorado | $159 |
| Connecticut | $201 |
| Delaware | $184 |
| Florida | $258 |
| Georgia | $75 |
| Hawaii | $120 |
| Idaho | $125 |
| Illinois | $132 |
| Indiana | $104 |
| Iowa | $89 |
| Kansas | $171 |
| Kentucky | $135 |
| Louisiana | $287 |
| Maine | $81 |
| Maryland | $148 |
| Massachusetts | $137 |
| Michigan | $303 |
| Minnesota | $114 |
| Mississippi | $111 |
| Missouri | $135 |
| Montana | $173 |
| Nebraska | $195 |
| Nevada | $140 |
| New Hampshire | $98 |
| New Jersey | $229 |
| New Mexico | $151 |
| New York | $305 |
| North Dakota | $132 |
| Ohio | $106 |
| Oklahoma | $151 |
| Oregon | $148 |
| Pennsylvania | $134 |
| Rhode Island | $136 |
| South Carolina | $143 |
| South Dakota | $109 |
| Tennessee | $83 |
| Texas | $186 |
| Utah | $130 |
| Vermont | $81 |
| Virginia | $128 |
| Washington | $132 |
| Washington, D.C. | $130 |
| West Virginia | $110 |
| Wisconsin | $110 |
| Wyoming | $183 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Your driving record and experience
Having a clean driving record will help you earn the best motorcycle insurance rates. If you have an at-fault accident or get a speeding ticket or DUI, the cost of your motorcycle insurance will increase.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Yearly Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Yearly Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | $1,779 | $811 |
| At-fault accident | $2,743 | $1,205 |
| DUI | $2,885 | $1,463 |
| Speeding ticket | $2,476 | $1,058 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
The type of motorcycle
The type of motorcycle you have affects your premium. Bikes with higher horsepower or modifications pose a higher risk and can result in more expensive premiums. If you build your own bike from a kit, some insurers may not allow you to buy full-coverage insurance. However, some insurance companies sell add-on coverage you can purchase if you want to insure custom parts on your bike.[3]
Credit history
In most states, insurance companies can look at your credit history when determining premiums. A higher credit rating often leads to lower insurance premiums. States that restrict use of this common rating factor include California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan.[4]
Credit Tier ▲▼ | Yearly Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Yearly Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | $1,427 | $687 |
| Good | $1,779 | $811 |
| Average | $1,991 | $885 |
| Poor | $3,101 | $1,325 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Frequency of use
Someone riding their motorcycle to work every day might pay more for insurance than someone only using their bike for pleasure on the weekend. More miles on the road often translates to higher premiums.
What does motorcycle insurance cover?
A highly customizable form of vehicle insurance, motorcycle insurance gives you the opportunity to select a policy that works best for your budget and coverage needs.
Here are some motorcycle insurance policy coverage options:
Bodily injury liability
If you injure others in an accident, bodily injury liability coverage will help pay for their costs. Most states require you to carry a minimum amount of bodily injury liability insurance.
Property damage liability
If you damage someone else’s property in an accident, this insurance will help you pay to repair or replace their property. This coverage doesn’t pay to repair or replace your motorcycle.
Personal injury protection
Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical costs to treat any injuries you or a passenger sustains, regardless of fault.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage will kick in to repair or replace your motorcycle if an accident damages it. You typically must pay a deductible before coverage applies.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your motorcycle after it sustains damage from something other than a collision. Comprehensive coverage for motorcycles typically covers only theft, not other common losses such as vandalism and weather hazards.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
If you experience an accident with an uninsured/underinsured driver, this policy will help you cover the costs associated with the accident and recovery.[5] This also covers hit and runs.
Pay Only for the Miles You Ride
Switching to pay-per-mile insurance could save you up to 60%
Specialty coverages
Many motorcycle drivers take pride in customizing their rides. Luckily, it’s possible to tap into specialty coverages to increase your protection. Here are some specialty coverages insurers may offer for motorcycle riders:
Accessories coverage: If your bike has special accessories, opting for accessories coverage can help you repair or replace the parts after an accident. When selecting accessories coverage, confirm what specific parts the coverage includes.
Helmet coverage: Depending on the insurer, you can buy helmet coverage as a stand-alone add-on or part of accessories coverage. In either case, the coverage will help you pay to repair or replace your helmet after an accident.
Roadside assistance: If you run into a problem on the road, such as a flat tire or dead battery, roadside assistance can come to the rescue. Many insurers offer roadside assistance as a policy add-on.
Best companies for motorcycle insurance
Check out Insurify's recommendations for some of the best companies for motorcycle insurance below.
VOOM
Best for: Low-mileage drivers
VOOM is an insurance company that offers pay-per-mile insurance, which can save you up to 60% compared to traditional auto insurance. This type of insurance is ideal for motorcycle drivers who ride infrequently or have several different bikes that they ride less than 2,000 miles per year each.
Pros
Affordable for low-mileage drivers
No hardware or tracking required
Cons
Not cheaper for long-distance drivers
Coverage available in only 13 states
Progressive
Best for: Discounts
Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S. by market share, and it sells numerous types of insurance, including motorcycle insurance. Progressive has a wide variety of discounts for motorcycle drivers. For example, it offers discounts for getting an advance insurance quote, completing a safety course, driving responsibly, switching from another insurer, and more.
Pros
Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Numerous available discounts
Cons
Comprehensive policies cover only theft
Have to purchase add-on policies for customizations
State Farm
Best for: Motorcycles with good safety ratings
State Farm is the largest U.S. auto insurer by market share. It offers a variety of insurance products, including motorcycle insurance. State Farm is unique in that it uses claim data to determine which motorcycle makes and models carry more risk. Drivers interested in purchasing a motorcycle can use State Farm’s tool to research bikes that have more affordable insurance.
Pros
Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Shares data to show which type of bike is the most affordable to insure
Cons
Comprehensive policies cover only theft
Not the cheapest for all types of bikes
How can you save money on motorcycle insurance?
Shop around. One of the best things you can do to save money on motorcycle insurance is to shop around. Get quotes from three to five different insurance companies, and pay attention to the discounts each company offers.
Take a safety course. Many insurance companies offer a discount to motorcycle riders who take a safety course.
Bundle your insurance. If you have auto insurance, renters insurance, home insurance, or another type of insurance, contact your insurance company or agent and ask whether they offer discounts for having more than one policy with their company.
Increase your deductible. Your collision and comprehensive deductibles are the amount of money you’re responsible for before your insurance money kicks in after an accident. Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Take note, there is no deductible for liability coverage.
Carefully choose your bike. Some motorcycles are safer than others, and insurance companies may charge more to insure modified bikes.
Ask about other discounts. Insurance companies offer a range of discounts that might benefit your specific situation, so make sure you ask about all available discounts.
Motorcycle insurance cost FAQs
Finding the right motorcycle coverage to meet your insurance needs is important. The following information should help answer your remaining questions about the cost of motorcycle insurance.
How much is motorcycle insurance?
On average across the U.S., motorcycle drivers pay around $68 per month for minimum coverage and $148 for full coverage. The price you pay will ultimately depend on several factors, such as your location, age, bike type, and more.
Why is my motorcycle insurance so expensive?
You may pay expensive motorcycle insurance rates for a few reasons. You’ll typically face higher rates if you have a poor driving record or drive a bike with expensive modifications. Speak with your insurance agent about ways to potentially lower your insurance premiums, like purchasing a bike with safety features or taking a motorcycle safety course.
Do you need motorcycle insurance?
In the U.S., 48 states legally require you to buy vehicle insurance if you want to drive a motorcycle or car. Virginia and New Hampshire are the two states that don’t. You need to meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements to legally drive a motorcycle. In Florida, you must be able to show proof of financial responsibility when you drive a motorcycle, and buying liability coverage at the state's limits is a common way to do this.
Does motorcycle insurance cover theft?
To have motorcycle insurance that covers theft, you typically have to purchase comprehensive coverage, which is an add-on to your insurance policy. But keep in mind motorcycle comprehensive coverage is different than auto comprehensive. Motorcycle comprehensive typically doesn't cover vandalism, weather hazards, or fire.
Can you bundle your motorcycle and car insurance?
Some auto insurance companies offer both motorcycle and car insurance, which makes it possible to bundle these two policies. Some insurance companies only offer car or motorcycle insurance, so you should confirm if your current or desired insurer offers both.
Does motorcycle insurance cover additional riders?
Motorcycle insurance may cover additional riders, but coverage varies based on the specifics of a policy. Before hitting the road, check to ensure your policy covers additional riders.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Popular articles
Sources
- National Safety Council. "Motorcycles."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Motorcycle insurance."
- J.D. Power. "A Guide To Understanding The Motorcycle Insurance Costs For an 18 Year Old."
- Experian. "Which States Restrict the Use of Credit Scores in Determining Insurance Rates?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
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Catherine Collins
Catherine Collins is a freelance financial writer and author based in Detroit. She's the co-founder of MillennialHomeowner.com and MomsGotMoney.com, and author of the book Mom’s Got Money: A millennial mom’s guide to managing money like a boss. She has written for US News, Huffington Post, Money, Business Insider, Investopedia, Entrepreneur, Go Banking Rates, and many other publications. She currently resides in Detroit, Michigan with her boy-girl twins and a rescue dog named Julep.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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