State minimum motorcycle insurance requirements

Every state requires you to either carry motorcycle insurance or provide proof of financial responsibility, and motorcycles are required to follow the same liability limits as cars. Plus, buying coverage protects you financially if you experience accident damage or injuries, even if you’re allowed to show only financial responsibility. Find the requirements for motorcycle insurance in your state so that you can compare your coverage options.

Motorcycle insurance requirements in each state

Motorcycle and car liability limits are the same in every state. That includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability, which cover damages to people and property involved in an at-fault accident.

You’ll see limits like 25/50/25, which breaks down to bodily injury maximums per person, bodily injury maximums per accident and property damage liability.

That means in an accident, whoever’s at fault will use their insurance to pay for any costs up to $25,000 for each injured person’s medical bills and other costs, $50,000 total for everyone injured in that accident and $25,000 in damaged property, including the other driver’s car.

What happens in states that don’t require motorcycle insurance?

Arizona, New Hampshire and Virginia don’t require you to carry a motorcycle insurance policy. However, those states do hold you responsible for damage that you cause in an accident. These states often require you to prove your financial responsibility, and the exact requirements vary by the state.

In Arizona, you have to prove that you can pay for damage by depositing a check with the state’s treasury or DMV. Virginia charges an annual fine for driving uninsured.

Should I stick to state minimum motorcycle coverage?

No, not if you want enough protection to cover a variety of accident situations and damage. State minimum coverage might work for someone who rides a motorcycle occasionally. However, it won’t cover expensive damage in some major accidents, like medical bills for a serious injury or crashing into a luxury car that’s worth more than your bike.

Are motorcycle insurance requirements different from cars?

In general, motorcycles have to follow the same liability limits as cars. But unlike with cars, motorcycles aren’t required to have uninsured coverage or personal injury protection (PIP). For some states and insurers, you won’t even be able to get uninsured coverage or PIP for motorcycles.

Personal injury protection covers your medical bills regardless of who’s at fault in an accident. Those costs tend to be higher for motorcycles because riders have a higher chance of being injured or having more severe injuries than car passengers or drivers. Insurance companies want to limit the amount they pay out in a claim, so they might exclude motorcycles from PIP coverage.

Bottom line

Motorcycles are still required to meet the same liability coverage minimums as cars. But you’re not required to meet the same standards for personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage. You might still need to get additional coverage to protect you, your passengers and your bike, so it pays to compare motorcycle policies to find the best deal for you.

Common questions about motorcycle insurance requirements

• Does motorcycle insurance cover passengers?

  Yes, if you opt for collision or comprehensive coverage. Motorcycle liability insurance, the bare minimum coverage, will not cover your riding passengers after an accident.

• How can I get a discount on my motorcycle insurance premium?

  Many insurers offer the same discounts for motorcycles and cars, such as anti-theft devices, safety devices, safe driving and more. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Oklahoma and Oregon mandate a discount of around 10% for taking a motorcycle training course, and many insurers choose to offer similar driver safety discounts.

• Are motorcycles more likely to get in accidents?

  Yes, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcycles are 27 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than cars.

• Is motorcycle insurance more expensive than car insurance?

  Motorcycle insurance can be cheaper than car insurance for the same reasons that car insurance can be cheaper for one car than another. Bikes are cheaper to purchase and repair, and they don’t have the same insurance requirements as cars.

  A cheap, used Kawasaki is typically cheaper to insure than a cheap, used car. But a brand new, top-of-the-line Harley that needs extra insurance like higher maximums, gap coverage, comprehensive and collision would likely cost more to insure than an older sedan.

Written by

Roslyn McKenna

Publisher

Roslyn McKenna Ayers is insurance manager at ValuePenguin and a former publisher at Finder, specializing in home and auto coverage. Her expertise and analysis has been featured on Bankrate, MSN and Reader's Digest. She holds a BA in writing and communications from Maryville College. See full bio