How Much Motorcycle Insurance To Buy

Whether you operate a motorcycle, scooter, moped, or other type of motorbike, you must protect yourself and your bike with adequate motorcycle insurance.

Motorcycle Insurance Minimum Requirements

To make it simple, we’ve outlined the exact minimum liability insurance requirements for your motorcycle, depending on your state.

Now, read on for how much coverage you should actually buy, as well as how to shop around, get a motorcycle insurance quote, and even find discounts.

Other Types of Motorcycle Insurance

In addition to purchasing the required liability insurance (which covers bodily injury and property damage), you might consider the following types of motorcycle insurance:

• Collision coverage: Collision coverage protects you in the event of an accident with another vehicle.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers damage caused by other types of damage, such as theft, vandalism, and falling objects.
• Uninsured and underinsured coverage: These types of coverage help when another motorist doesn’t have—or doesn’t have enough—insurance.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP coverage helps with medical costs (without regard to fault) and is typically required in “no-fault” states.
• Medical payments coverage: If you have medical payments coverage, you get additional protection should you become injured in an accident.
• Accessory coverage: Purchase this insurance if you want coverage for any custom equipment or parts you add to your bike.
• Motorcycle roadside assistance: If your bike breaks down on the side of the road, this coverage can help with towing and labor costs.

As you can see, less definitely isn’t more when it comes to motorcycle insurance. Talk with your motorcycle insurance provider about which of these coverage types best suit your specific needs.

Shopping for Motorcycle Insurance

Many of the same tips for shopping for car insurance apply when comparison-shopping for motorcycle insurance.

Some motorcycle insurance shopping tips include, but aren’t limited to:

• Getting at least 3 motorcycle insurance quotes from coverage providers. Shopping online perhaps is the easiest and fastest ways to compare insurance quotes.
• Talking with family members, friends, and other motorcycle riders about their experiences with motorcycle insurance companies.
• Checking the insurance providers’ social media accounts and noting their basic customer service practices with other customers.
  • You might also check the companies’ ratings with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Looking into each provider’s financial standing. Companies such as J.D. Power and A.M. Best are great places to find these ratings.
• Working with an insurance agent or broker. These specialists are trained in helping you find the right companies and policies for your specific needs.
• Asking about motorcycle insurance discounts. As mentioned above, this money-saving step is a crucial when shopping for motorcycle coverage.

Discounts on Motorcycle Insurance

As you’re shopping around, always ask about discounts on motorcycle insurance.

Some basic tips to get a better motorcycle insurance quote include:

• Cleaning up your driving record. Coverage providers typically look at a driver’s motor vehicle record when determining how great a risk he or she would be to insure.
• Completing a motorcycle rider safety course. Having taken a course from a nationally recognized training provider like The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) can both save you money on your motorcycle insurance and increase your riding skills.
• Bundle your insurance policies. Also called multi-line insurance, you can save money when you buy more than one line of insurance (example: insurance for your car and your motorcycle) from the same company.
• Increase your deductible. Often, riders can decrease their premiums when they increase their deductibles.
  • NOTE: That day might come when you have to pay your deductible, so be sure to purchase only what you can reasonably afford.

Remember, these are just a few tips to get cheaper motorcycle insurance. Always talk with your insurance agent or broker about additional ways to save money when you go to insure your bike.