How Much Motorcycle Insurance To Buy

State-by-State Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

Each state maintains its own motorcycle insurance rules. Those that do mandate insurance require the following minimum amounts of liability coverage:

• Alabama: 50/100/25

• Alaska: 20/50/25

• Arizona: 15/30/10

• Arkansas: 25/50/25

• California: 15/30/5

• Colorado: 25/50/15

• Connecticut: 20/40/10

• Delaware: 15/30/10

• Florida: Not required

• Georgia: 25/50/25

• Hawaii: 20/40/10

• Idaho: 25/50/15

• Illinois: 20/40/15

• Indiana: 25/50/10

• Iowa: 20/40/15

• Kansas: 25/50/10

• Kentucky: 25/50/10 or $60,000 single limit

• Louisiana: 10/20/10

• Maine: 50/100/25 & $1,000 per person for medical payments

• Maryland: 20/40/15

• Massachusetts:20/40/5

• Michigan: 20/40/10

• Minnesota: 30/60/10

• Mississippi: 25/50/25

• Missouri: 25/50/10

• Montana: Not required

• Nebraska: 25/50/25

• New Hampshire: 25/50/25

• New Jersey: 15/30/5

• New Mexico: 25/50/10

• New York: 25/50/10

• Nevada: 15/30/10

• North Carolina: 30/60/25

• North Dakota: 25/50/25

• Ohio: 12.5/25/7.5

• Oklahoma: 25/50/25

• Oregon: 25/50/10

• Pennsylvania: 15/30/5

• Rhode Island: 25/50/25

• South Carolina: 25/50/25

• South Dakota: 25/50/25

• Tennessee: 25/50/15

• Texas: 25/50/25

• Utah: 25/65/15 or $65,000 single limit

• Vermont: 25/50/10

• Virginia: 25/50/20

• Washington: Not required

• West Virginia: 20/40/10

• Wyoming: 25/50/20

• Washington DC: 25/50/10

Using Virginia's insurance requirements (25/50/20) as an example, here's how to read the numbers:

• 25―$25,000 for bodily injury per person

• 50―$50,000 for bodily injury per accident

• 20―$20,000 for property damage per accident

When reviewing your state's liability insurance requirements, be sure that you're looking at motorcycles and not cars. The figures, in some states, are not the same.

If you're a rider in Florida, Montana, or Washington, be sure to check with your DMV or state insurance department if other non-liability insurance requirements exist. In Florida, for example, if you elect not to purchase motorcycle insurance, the motorcycle must be paid for (no liens) and you must carry insurance on a vehicle registered in your name.

How Much Motorcycle Insurance to Carry

You should always carry more than the required minimum amounts. Don't skimp. Buy as much coverage as you can afford. Until you're in an accident, you never realize how expensive medical care can be until the first bill is due.

Options for additional motorcycle insurance include:

• Higher liability insurance limits

• Collision

• Comprehensive

• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage

• Medical Payments (MedPay)

If you're on a tight budget, be sure to inquire about motorbike insurance discounts. All insurance providers offer discounts for multiple bikes, clean driving records and more.

Additional Motorcycle Insurance Information

For answers to all of your insurance questions―motorcycles, cars, RVs, commercial vehicles―visit our Insurance Center.