California Insurance Requirements for Motorcycles

Keep in mind you are not required to purchase a liability policy if one of the other options listed above. But for many people, obtaining car insurance makes more sense. Here’s the minimum liability coverage the state requires:

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person

• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person

• $5,000 for damage to property

Shop around when looking for a policy; all providers do not offer the same rates and incentives. While you are looking into what you can afford and what suits your needs, you might also consider signing up for more than the minimum. Your best bet is to research different types of coverage before you buy.

Once you purchase a policy, your provider will give you a document or identification card. Keep this proof of insurance with you whenever you hop on your bike. You’ll need to present this should you get pulled over by a cop or if you are involved in an accident.

Note that the following do not require you to provide evidence of liability insurance:

• Off-highway vehicles

• Special equipment vehicles

• Trailers

• Vehicles registered to a government entity (city, county, state, federal)

• Vehicles registered under a planned nonoperation (PNO) status

How Coverage Affects Helmet Requirements

In some states, you can get away with not wearing a helmet as long as you have a certain amount of insurance coverage. But not in California. The state requires all operators and their passengers to wear an approved safety helmet at all times―regardless of whether you ride a motorcycle, a motor-driven cycle, a motorized bicycle or a motorized scooter.

Electronic Reporting

Once you have signed up for coverage, your insurance provider will electronically report the info on your private-use liability policy to the CA DMV. This process is automatic, so if you let your coverage lapse the state will suspend your registration for failure to maintain financial responsibility. For more details on the penalties associated with this, continue reading.

Acceptable Proof of Financial Responsibility

To reiterate, once you sign up for a liability policy your insurance agency will report this electronically to the DMV. However in some cases, the CA DMV might require you to also:

• Provide a document or ID card from your insurance company that says you have adequate coverage. The state agency will not return any such documents you submit.

• Provide the DMV with an authorization letter if you made a cash deposit or if you are self-insured.

• Provide the DMV with a California Proof of Insurance Certificate (SR-22) for either broad coverage or an owner's policy. If the state has already determined that you need to provide it with an SR-22, simply submitting proof of an operator's policy alone will not suffice.

• Provide the DMV with proof that the vehicle is publicly owned or leased (as defined in Government Code 811.2).

• Provide a statement of facts that indicates you have filed proof of insurance with the Public Utilities Commission or DMV pursuant to California Vehicle Code 34630; this applies to those who fall under the definition of motor carriers (in California Vehicle Code 34601).

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

• Your vehicle registration could be subject to suspension for the following reasons:
  • You do not replace your liability insurance policy within 45 days once it has been canceled.
  • Your insurance agent does not electronically provide evidence of insurance within 30 days after the state issued you a registration card on a vehicle that has never before been registered in California.
  • You submit false evidence of insurance.

• If you get pulled over by a peace officer and cannot provide evidence of financial responsibility, you could receive a traffic ticket ($1,000 or more).

• Your vehicle could be fined and get your vehicle impounded.

• If you have any part in causing an accident, you could be financially responsible for any injuries or damages.

NOTE: You must deal with the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program if your registration is expired by calling (866) 664-4545. The CA DMV does not offer vehicle financial responsibility services.