Heidi Mertlich

Licensed Insurance Agent

Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, Finance101.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she under...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs.  His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada. 

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Jun 27, 2023

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UPDATED: Jun 27, 2023Fact Checked

Motorcycles are a popular vehicle choice among more than just “biker” types. Their fuel efficiency and compact size make them excellent for commuting to work and school, and they’re more affordable to buy and maintain than many cars. Whether you’re buying a motorcycle as a full time vehicle or simply ride one on the weekend, it’s important to buy the right kind of insurance for your bike.

All vehicles operated on public roads require liability insurance. This is true of cars and motorcycles alike. Liability limits will differ from one type of vehicle to the next, however, so your motorcycle policy will not necessarily carry the same coverages as your auto policy. Because of this, motorcycle insurance tends to be cheaper than auto insurance, but there are several factors that you must take into account when estimating the cost of your policy.

What Factors Influence the Cost of Motorcycle Insurance?

Just like car insurance, motorcycle insurance premiums vary depending on your risk. People at a high risk of being involved in an accident will pay more for insurance no matter what type of insurance they have. Age, gender, driving history and credit score are all used to assess a driver’s risk for any type of vehicle. With motorcycles, however, the coverage you carry has a greater affect on your risk assessment than with other types of vehicles.

Motorcycles are generally considered low risk for liability but high risk for personal injury and first-party damages. A motorcycle cannot do as much damage to another person’s property as a large car or truck could, so you’re a lower risk for liability claims when you ride a motorcycle. However, people who drive motorcycles are at a higher risk of being injured or killed in accidents than individuals who use other types of cars.

All of this means that the cost of a full coverage policy for your motorcycle will be much higher than the cost of a liability-only policy for the same bike. This price discrepancy might be much wider than it would be for a different type of vehicle. Nonetheless, your motorcycle’s coverage will still probably be cheaper than your car’s coverage due to its size and cost. Because motorcycles are affordable to repair and replace, insuring them will generally cost less. Your first-party medical coverage will most likely be the most expensive part of your policy.

How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost?

Average insurance premiums vary widely from one state to the next, and no two people pay exactly the same for motorcycle insurance. The only way to know for sure how much your insurance will cost is to get a personalized quote based on your specific driving history and vehicle.

The average cost of a motorcycle policy will vary depending on the size and power of your bike. A motorcycle with a small engine will cost around $75 per month for full coverage and $32 for liability-only insurance. A high-performance bike with a 500 cc engine could cost as much as $200 a month for full coverage insurance.

Tips for Keeping Insurance Costs Low

Whether you’re using your motorcycle as your primary mode of transportation or simply ride on the weekends, there are a few ways you can save money on coverage:

  • Keep your deductibles high
  • Choose reasonable liability limits
  • Consider opting for a liability policy with medical coverage
  • Wear appropriate safety gear; you can get a discount for using a helmet and leathers
  • Beware of road hazards that can cause deadly accidents while riding
  • Bundle your policy with your auto or homeowner’s insurance for a discount on both policies
  • Provide odometer readings and take advantage of low mileage discounts

Some insurance companies may offer additional discounts on their motorcycle policies that you can take advantage of. When you get a quote, compare between multiple insurers to ensure that you’re getting the best possible deal. Also ask for any additional discounts or savings that might be available to you when you apply for coverage; there may be programs available to you that were not advertised at the time you got the initial quote.

When you buy your policy, be sure to discuss your driving habits with your new insurance company to get an idea of how much coverage you really need and maximize your savings. Weekend warriors have different needs from regular commuters, and you might be paying too much for insurance or carrying too little protection if you opt for the wrong type of policy.

Case Studies: Examining Motorcycle Insurance Costs and Coverage Scenarios

Case Study 1: John’s Motorcycle Insurance

John is a 35-year-old motorcycle enthusiast who uses his bike as his primary mode of transportation. He has a clean driving record and owns a mid-sized motorcycle. After comparing quotes from multiple insurance providers, John secured a full coverage policy for his motorcycle at a cost of $100 per month. He opted for comprehensive coverage to protect his bike from theft and other non-collision damages.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Weekend Warrior Insurance

Sarah is a 28-year-old professional who enjoys riding her motorcycle on the weekends for leisure. She has a good driving record and owns a small engine motorcycle. Since she doesn’t use her bike for daily commuting, she decided to go for liability-only insurance to meet the legal requirements. Sarah obtained a liability-only policy for her motorcycle at a cost of $40 per month.

Case Study 3: Mark’s High-Performance Bike Insurance

Mark is a thrill-seeker and owns a high-performance motorcycle with a 500 cc engine. He loves pushing the limits and taking his bike on long rides. Given the higher risk associated with his bike’s power and performance, Mark opted for full coverage insurance to ensure he has adequate protection. He secured a full coverage policy for his motorcycle, including comprehensive, collision, and personal injury coverage, at a cost of $180 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Motorcycle Insurance cost?

The cost of motorcycle insurance can vary significantly based on a variety of factors, such as:

  • Type of motorcycle: The make, model, and year of your motorcycle can affect your insurance rates. Generally, the more expensive or powerful the motorcycle, the higher the insurance premiums.
  • Age and experience of the rider: Younger and less experienced riders may be considered higher risk and may have higher insurance rates.
  • Driving record: A clean driving record with no accidents or tickets can help reduce insurance rates.
  • Location: Where you live can affect your insurance rates. Areas with high crime rates or accident rates may have higher insurance premiums.
  • Coverage levels: The amount of coverage you choose will affect your insurance rates. Higher coverage levels will result in higher premiums.

On average, motorcycle insurance can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year. It’s important to shop around and compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best rates for your specific situation.

Why do I need motorcycle insurance?

Just like cars, all vehicles operated on public roads require liability insurance. Liability limits will differ from one type of vehicle to the next, however, so your motorcycle policy will not necessarily carry the same coverages as your auto policy.

What factors affect the cost of motorcycle insurance?

Age, gender, driving history, credit score, and the type of motorcycle and coverage you choose are all factors that influence the cost of motorcycle insurance. Motorcycles are generally considered low risk for liability but high risk for personal injury and first-party damages.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost?

The cost of motorcycle insurance varies depending on several factors, including the type of coverage you choose, the type of motorcycle you have, your driving record, and your personal details such as age and gender. The best way to determine the cost of motorcycle insurance is to compare quotes from different insurance providers.

What kind of coverage do I need for my motorcycle?

The type of coverage you need for your motorcycle depends on your specific circumstances. However, most states require liability insurance for motorcycles, which covers damages you may cause to others in an accident. Other coverage options include collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

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Heidi Mertlich

Licensed Insurance Agent

Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, Finance101.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she under...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs.  His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada. 

Licensed Insurance Agent

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.