How Much Is Motorcycle Insurance?

So, how much is motorcycle insurance? Here’s what you need to know: motorcycle insurance premiums, much like car insurance, can vary from driver to driver. However, our guide on insurance for motorcycles will help you find the best motorcycle insurance by going over average rates and the most common factors that will impact just how much you’ll pay in insurance for your motorcycle.

If you are ready to begin saving money and shopping for motorcycle insurance coverage at the best car insurance companies, enter your ZIP code into our free vehicle insurance comparison tool.

Cost of Motorcycle Insurance Rates

How much is motorcycle insurance? Knowing how insurance rates are determined is a great starting point for achieving the lowest motorcycle insurance premiums. And when it’s all said and done, there’s much more to insurance coverage than whether you have two or four wheels.

Learn more: How are car insurance rates determined?

Underwriters consider a variety of factors, ranging from your record to the type of bike you drive. But before we dig deeper into these factors, let’s take a closer look at costs.

How much is motorcycle insurance per month?

How much should I expect to pay for motorcycle insurance? You not only want to know how much is motorcycle insurance, but you also want to know the cost of coverage monthly. Beyond that, we know you want to purchase motorcycle insurance at affordable rates.

First thing’s first — motorcycle insurance costs the average rider about $700 a year.

But here’s the caveat: different bikers will pay different rates depending on where they live, their driving record, and more. However, we can help you get a better idea of what those rates might look like by comparing rates across several states.

First, let’s look at the states with some of the lowest, average monthly price of motorcycle insurance. According to our research, the state with the lowest average monthly rate is North Dakota, at $32 a month.

Here’s a look at our top fifteen states with the lowest monthly motorcycle insurance rates in the country:

Motorcycle Insurance Rates by State

With the exception of Hawaii, we can see that many of the states with the lowest monthly motorcycle insurance rates have much colder climates. Among those states with average monthly rates in the thirty-dollar range? Iowa at $34, Wyoming at $37, Nebraska at $39, and South Dakota at $39.

Now, for a look at the states with the highest average monthly rates for motorcycle insurance. Our research shows that motorcycle riders in California have the highest average motorcycle insurance rates, at $113 a month.

Let’s see how some of the other states with higher rates stack up. Here’s our top fifteen:

States with the Highest Motorcycle Insurance Rates

We can see that the only state with an average monthly rate in the hundred-dollar range is California. However, states like Louisiana and Michigan are not too far off, with monthly rates averaging $98 and $90, respectively.  Following these three states are New York at $81, and Arizona and Missouri, both averaging $78 a month.

Also of note? If you want to know how much motorcycle insurance is in Florida, look no further: the average rate in Florida is $76 a month.

How much is motorcycle insurance for an 18-year-old?

It’s reasonable to want to know how much motorcycle insurance costs for bikers of various ages. After all, the Insurance Information Institute (III) confirms that age is indeed a factor that could impact what you pay each month.

We did some digging and learned that according to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, an 18-year-old will, on average, pay $998 a year – or about $83 a month – for motorcycle insurance.

The foundation goes on to report that that same 18-year-old living in Chicago will pay an average of $57.08 a month. In Los Angeles, $111.58 a month, and in New York, $87.50 a month.

We understand that you may be asking the same question for bikers of other ages. For instance, how much is motorcycle insurance for a 20-year-old? Or motorcycle insurance a 17-year-old?

Whether a motorcyclist is 17 or 20 years of age, we found that the ballpark estimate in insurance premiums is roughly a thousand a year, or $83 a month.

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Who has the cheapest motorcycle insurance?

In many ways, this is a loaded question. After all, we can’t emphasize it enough: what motorcycle riders pay in their monthly rates will vary depending on a variety of factors (which we’re getting into soon).

But here’s what we can tell you: one company known for offering lower motorcycle insurance rates is Geico. In fact, by reading up on some of Geico’s auto insurance discounts, you can get a better idea of what breaks the insurer can offer to motorcyclists.

What factors can affect motorcycle insurance?

Having an idea of what some of the average rates for motorcycle insurance are throughout the nation only paints half of the picture. If you really want to answer the question, “How much is motorcycle insurance?” you need to also know what factors could cause your rates to skyrocket, or level out.

Ready? Let’s go.

Credit Score

Having good (or great) credit can be a huge factor in how much you pay.

Why? It’s simple: When determining your rates, insurance companies are looking at a number of risk factors. One is something called credit-based insurance scores. This is a number that factors in your credit history, late payments, and more. When it’s all said and done, this is the big takeaway:

Those with lower credit-based scores tend to have higher insurance rates, as insurers often associate these drivers with a higher likelihood of filing claims. On the flip side, those with higher credit-based scores tend to have lower rates.

In fact, insurers may discount a motorcycle insurance policy by as much as 35% based on credit history alone.

Something important to keep in mind? If you live in California, Hawaii, or Massachusetts, the use of credit-based scoring in determining insurance rates is not legal.

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Where You Live

The post office isn’t the only entity paying close attention to your ZIP code. When determining the cost of insurance, insurance companies will also take a look at where you live.

The reasoning is cut and dry: motorcycle riders living ZIP codes with higher rates of crime (such as motorcycle theft) will likely pay higher rates. Alternately, if you live in a ZIP code with lower crime rates will pay lower rates.

Where you live will also determine the types of coverage you want. If you do live in an area with a higher crime rate, you will want to make sure your policy service options include loss coverage.

Your Age and Gender

Age and gender are two more factors insurance companies look to when putting together your rates. As we all know, teenagers — especially 16-year-olds who are just learning to drive — are known to pay much higher rates due to inexperience, and higher levels of crashes. And if you’re a younger driver owning a motorcycle for the first time, that in of itself could also trigget higher rates.

When it comes to gender, insurers are known to charge men higher rates. That’s also due to a higher likelihood of accidents. Keep in mind that in some states, there is no legal requirement holding insurance companies accountable for setting rates based on gender.

Whether you like it or not, similar rules apply to bikers. If you want to know how much is motorcycle insurance, keep in mind that how old or how young you are, as well as your gender, will play a role. Generally, experienced riders will have lower premiums.

Your Driving Record

Bikes are dangerous, but you know that…that’s part of the allure. So if bikes are inherently dangerous, there is nothing more obvious than higher premiums for bikers who have a track record of overdoing it.

Anytime you apply for insurance, companies are going to take a look at your past record. This includes your motor vehicle record, which will have any recent tickets and accidents listed. If you have a bad driving record, this will influence your rates.

Read more: What is a motor vehicle record? 

If you have a lengthy report, this will give insurers a reason to think you’re a risk. And as long as they think you’re a risk who is more likely to get into accidents, they won’t hesitate to charge you higher rates.

You may be asking yourself, will my premium go up if I file an insurance claim? Depending on the scenario, it’s entirely possible. Having this knowledge will, without a doubt, help you better understand the “why” behind your rates.

Type of Motorcycle

Finally, the kind of motorcycle you ride may also be the difference between cheap motorcycle insurance, and costlier motorcycle insurance. In the same way, an older car might not cost as much to insure as a brand new BMW, vintage bikes will likely come with lower insurance premiums than newer ones.

But it’s not just how new or how old your bike is. Motorcycles that are more powerful will likely cost much more to insure.

Your 500cc road bike is going to be less than half the cost to insure your 1500cc motorcycle…for the same driver. And since a 500cc bike is also much cheaper, you may be able to drop the physical damage coverage, which will significantly reduce the premium as well. There may be policy limits depending on your vehicle’s engine capacity and engine size. Vehicles with powerful engines will cost more to insure.

Not all bikes may not qualify for motorcycle insurance, as each state has different qualifying factors for different types of bikes. For example, street bikes are different from sports bikes and touring bikes.

What types of motorcycle insurance coverage may be available to me?

Here’s the deal: having an understanding of what kind of coverage you need for your motorcycle is imperative. And we get it. Sifting through insurance lingo can be confusing, and frustrating. Thankfully, we’re breaking it all down below. The common types of coverage include:

• Liability insurance. If you know the answer to what does liability car insurance cover, then you have a good idea of what that means for your motorcycle. Liability insurance is what pays for damage done to another person’s property, or another’s injuries.
• Collision insurance. This kind of coverage deals with damages done to your own bike if you’re involved in an accident.
• Comprehensive coverage. This kind of insurance covers damaged one by more unpredictable events that are not accidents. This can include theft, vandalism, and certain weather-related events.
• Underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). This comes into play if you are involved in an accident with a driver who either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance.

You can get away without purchasing personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage if you have a comprehensive health insurance policy. This might save you as much as 25%-30% on your policy. But talk to your health insurance administrator to determine your benefits…don’t just drop the coverage!

Read more: Med Pay vs Personal Injury Protection

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How to Save on Motorcycle Insurance

The good news? As long as you need motorcycle insurance, you can save money. We’ve come up with a list of potential savings that can help bikers drive down costs.

Take a safety course. Some insurance companies will be happy to give you a discounted rate if you provide proof of taking a motorcycle safety course. But what you’ll need to remember is this: not all safety courses count. It has to be approved by your insurer. So be sure to ask ahead of time to learn more. The course may entail things like protective gear and defensive driving.

Save by bundling policies. In the eyes of many insurance companies, more is better. So if you are able to hold multiple policies with one company – for instance, your bike and your car – your coverage options may allow for a discount.

Motorcycle clubs and organizations. Simply being a member of certain motorcycle groups and clubs could entitle you to a discount. Speak to an agent to learn more.

When it comes to discounts, every insurance provider is different. Never hesitate to reach out for assistance to see what discounts are offered, and what you can take advantage of.

We’ve examined common factors that impact motorcycle insurance rates. We’ve also touched upon basic types of coverage, minimum requirements for affordable coverage, and the importance of driving history. Now, it’s your turn.

As you begin to search rates and compare coverage selections, don’t hesitate to consult with an independent insurance agent. Getting stuck with one motorcycle insurance quote typically means getting stuck with a higher premium than you deserve. Therefore, be sure to research — and wisely.

Begin your journey to the best motorcycle insurance rates and coverages. Start by entering your ZIP code into our free vehicle insurance comparison tool now.

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