Indiana Liability Insurance Requirements for Motorcycles

The minimum requirements for liability insurance in Indiana are as follows:

• Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 bodily injury coverage for one person in a single accident.

• Uninsured motorist coverage: $50,000 bodily injury coverage total in a single accident.

• Underinsured motorist coverage: $50,000 bodily injury coverage total in a single accident.

• $10,000 property damage coverage.

You might also want to look into higher coverage amounts or different types of coverage to make sure you're fully protected from financial risk, depending on your bike's condition and your financial situation. Be sure to check out the various types of insurance coverage available to you before making a final commitment.

How Coverage Affects Helmet Requirements

Indiana doesn't currently have a law concerning helmet requirements that vary according to insurance coverage. In this state, the law is simple: every rider under the age of 18 must wear a helmet and eye protection. After you turn 18, it's up to your own discretion.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

You'll need proper proof of insurance to register and title your motorcycle. Usually this just means bringing in the insurance card from your agent when you turn in your registration or titling paperwork.

The Electronic Insurance Forms Submission (EIFS) program, recently created by the BMV, allows licensed insurance agents to electronically submit insurance information for their customers. Ask your insurance agent if he or she has signed up for the EIFS program; it can save time and reduce errors in the long run.

The EIFS program is not available unless you're a licensed agent, but that doesn't mean you're powerless. You can update your insurance information on record with the BMV at any time by going to the myBMV website. You'll need to create an account the first time you visit, and then sign in each time after that.

Whether you bring in your insurance card or your agent submits the information electronically, you'll need to prove to the BMV that you have the minimum coverage or you won't be able to register or title your bike.

Always keep a copy of your insurance information in your vehicle. You should be able to show proof of insurance at any time, if requested to by law enforcement or other officials.

If you are ever involved in an accident or you get pulled over by a police officer and you fail to show proof of insurance, the BMV will send you a Certificate of Compliance. You'll have 40 days to get your insurance agent to certify that you did indeed have the required coverage at the time of the traffic stop or accident. If you really didn't have coverage at that time, or you don't return the Certificate of Compliance within 40 days, your driver's license―and sometimes even your registration―will be suspended (see below for details).

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

Not being able to register or title your motorcycle is the most obvious penalty for not having adequate insurance coverage.

If you did have insurance but it lapsed or was canceled for any reason―and you didn't get a policy to replace it―it's a Class A infraction and you run the risk of having your driver's license and possibly your registration suspended. For the first offense, you'll get a 90-day suspension, and then up to one year for any other insurance lapses within a three-year period.

Driver's License Reinstatement

To reinstate your license, you'll have to pay one of the following fines:

• $150 for first offense

• $225 for second offense

• $300 for third (or subsequent) offense

You'll also have to show current proof of the required minimum insurance coverage. This may require an SR-22 form from your insurance provider, which will stay on record with the BMV for three years. If your insurance lapses anytime during that period, the BMV can immediately suspend your license again.