Key Takeaways
- Most policies with comprehensive and collision include a small amount of custom parts coverage automatically, often somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on the carrier.
- Anything above that limit is not covered unless you have custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage, and how you receive a payout at claim time varies by insurer. Some apply depreciation while others replace parts at full cost.
- Be sure to document all upgrades. Keep track of receipts and appraisals and take photos so you get the full payout you need if you ever file a claim.
Custom motorcycle insurance protects the parts and upgrades a standard policy leaves out. It comes in two forms:
- Custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage raises the limit on aftermarket add-ons.
- Agreed value coverage sets a guaranteed payout for a one-off build with no book value.
See motorcycle quotes side-by-side with Jerry.
What counts as custom parts and equipment
Custom parts and equipment (CPE) is anything added to your motorcycle that did not come from the factory for that model. If you bolted it on, painted it or upgraded it, your insurer treats it as custom. That includes a used bike you bought already modified, since insurers define custom by comparison to the factory build sheet, not by how the bike came to you.
| Custom equipment | Standard |
|---|---|
| Aftermarket exhaust and intake | Factory-installed parts and trim |
| Custom paint, chrome and bodywork | Original equipment on your specific model |
| Saddlebags, luggage racks and windshields added after purchase | Factory accessory packages included at sale (varies by insurer) |
| Performance upgrades like suspension, brakes and tuning | Manufacturer replacement parts fitted during covered repairs |
| Audio systems, auxiliary lighting and electronics | |
| Sidecars and trailers | |
| Seats, handlebars, levers and other ergonomic swaps |
Why it matters: Insurers consider anything that differs from the original build as custom equipment. A bike you bought already modified still carries custom parts, and they are still subject to the same custom coverage limits as parts you added yourself.
How custom parts and equipment coverage works
Most motorcycle policies with comprehensive and collision coverage include a small amount of CPE coverage automatically, often $3,000 or less, which pays out up to the actual cash value of the part.
CPE coverage raises your standard policy’s limits, usually up to $20,000 or more depending on the insurer. It attaches to your comprehensive and collision coverage, so your custom parts are protected against the same events as the bike itself, including theft, fire, weather, vandalism and crash damage. Adding CPE coverage typically costs only a little more each month, which is inexpensive relative to the value it protects.
Here’s an example of how the same theft plays out with and without the extra coverage.
| Scenario | Base policy | Policy with added CPE coverage ($6,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Factory value of the bike | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Custom parts and upgrades | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Deductible | -$500 | -$500 |
| Insurance pays | $11,500 | $14,500 |
Key takeaway: Your policy includes some custom parts coverage, usually $3,000 or less, but upgrades add up fast. If you’ve added any custom parts, be sure to purchase additional CPE coverage to be fully covered.
How Jerry helps you cover your custom motorcycle
Shopping for custom bike coverage can be a challenge. Some carriers will not write heavily modified bikes at all, others bury their CPE limits in the fine print, and calling around means explaining your build from scratch every time. Jerry fixes that. We are the only insurance shopping solution that lets you compare motorcycle insurance quotes and purchase your policy right in the app, custom parts included.
With Jerry, you can:
🔍 Compare multiple insurers at once. See prices and coverage options from top carriers in one place. Instead of spending hours collecting quotes one by one, Jerry gathers them in minutes.
💻 Buy entirely online. Get covered without unwanted phone calls or spam. Jerry never sells or shares your data for marketing purposes, and we use bank-level security to protect it.
💬 Get help when you need it. Have questions? Jerry’s licensed agents are just a chat or phone call away, 7 days a week.
🛡️ Stay protected over time. We watch your rate, alert you when it is time to reshop and remind you about renewals. Jerry is your insurance assistant, not just a one-time tool.
Get covered and ride confident with Jerry.
Frequently asked questions
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Does motorcycle insurance cover aftermarket parts?
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Do I have to tell my insurer about modifications?
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Will modifications raise my premium?
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What is the difference between agreed value and actual cash value?
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Does custom paint count as a custom part?
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Can I insure a chopper, kit bike or self-built motorcycle?
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Is my bike covered while it is being customized at a shop?
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.
