Share This Page
Share Pin It Email Print

Motorcycle Insurance Minimum Requirements in New York

Motorcycle Insurance in New York

The state of New York claims that accidents involving motorcycles are more likely to occur than accidents that only involve standard cars. So, because all registered cars in New York must be insured, it makes sense that all registered motorcycles must have motorcycle insurance.

New York Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

According to New York state law, you must carry liability motorcycle insurance on your bike to help you cover costs related to property damage and bodily injury suffered by others in a crash that you cause.

Your motorcycle insurance policy must include the following minimum coverage limits per accident:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person.
  • $50,000 for total bodily injury in the event that multiple people are hurt in the accident.
  • $50,000 for death per person.
  • $100,000 for death if there are multiple fatalities in the accident.
  • $10,000 for property damage.

Remember, these are only the minimum requirements.

You may find that these limits do not provide adequate financial protection for you, especially if you own highly valuable assets that could be lost in a lawsuit. If this is the case, you should consider purchasing higher liability insurance limits.

In addition to the above motorcycle coverage limits, New York law also requires the following:

  • The name on your motorcycle insurance policy must match the name on your motorcycle registration.
  • A motorcycle insurance company licensed to do business in New York must provide your coverage.

NOTE: New York requires vehicle owners to surrender their plates during a lapse of insurance coverage. However, this rule does not apply to motorcycles. You may keep your plate during a lapse in your motorcycle insurance coverage, but you must not operate your motorcycle on public roads during a coverage lapse.

No-Fault Insurance

If you have shopped for car insurance, you may have noticed that New York is considered a “no-fault” state.

This means that car owners are required to have personal injury protection coverage (PIP), and they have limited rights to sue after an accident.

These no-fault rules, however, do not apply to motorcycles. Motorcyclists are NOT REQUIRED to carry PIP and are NOT limited in their right to sue after a crash.

Optional Coverages

As you shop and get motorcycle insurance quotes in New York, you should keep in mind that the required liability insurance only covers damages and injuries that you cause to others. It does not cover property damage or injuries that you suffer yourself.

To expand the reach of your motorcycle insurance coverage, you should consider purchasing the following common optional coverages:

  • Comprehensive – This coverage helps pay for repairs to your motorcycle if it is damaged in several types of incidents not involving a traffic accident.
  • Collision – If your motorcycle is damaged in a crash, this coverage will help you with repairs.
  • Medical payments – This coverage will help cover medical costs associated with injuries you suffer in an accident.
  • Towing and labor – In the unfortunate event that your motorcycle breaks down, this coverage can help you with emergency roadside assistance and towing.
  • Uninsured/underinsured – If you get involved in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance (or insufficient insurance), this coverage may help cover costs related to injuries or property damage.

Insurance Violations and Penalties

If you are caught riding your motorcycle without at least the minimum required liability limits in New York, you are subject to penalties that include:

  • Suspension of your motorcycle registration.
  • Suspension of your license.

Make sure to at least hold the minimum limits and then speak with your motorcycle insurance agent about the best types of coverage to buy for your needs.

DMV.ORG BBB Business Review