Motorcycle insurance is required in almost every state and can be purchased through most traditional car insurance companies. It works similarly to auto insurance but has unique features like guest passenger liability coverage.
In the last year, Jerry has helped over 460 drivers get the right motorcycle insurance. Here’s what motorcycle insurance covers, how much it costs and how we can help you find the best coverage for your bike.
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
What motorcycle insurance covers
A motorcycle insurance policy will include your state’s minimum requirements and any optional coverages you add. Most states require you to carry the following coverage types:
What it pays for: Medical expenses and costs if you injure someone in an at-fault accident.
Do you need it? Required in most states.
What it pays for: Repairs to another person’s vehicle or property if you’re at fault.
Do you need it? Required in most states.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
What it pays for: Your medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs, regardless of fault.
Do you need it? Required in some states.
Uninsured & underinsured motorist coverage
What it pays for: Protects you if hit by a driver with insufficient or no insurance.
Do you need it? Required in some states.
You can also add the following optional coverages to your motorcycle policy:
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Collision coverage, which pays for damage to your bike from crashes with vehicles or objects.
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Comprehensive coverage, which pays for damage from non-collision events, like theft, fire, vandalism and damage from wildlife.
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Medical payments (MedPay), which pays for your medical expenses after an accident. Unlike PIP, MedPay only covers medical bills — not lost wages or other expenses — but it’s available in all states and typically costs less than PIP.
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Guest passenger liability, which covers your passenger’s medical bills if you’re at fault in an accident.
Jerry recommends: We recommend considering adding guest passenger liability coverage to your motorcycle insurance policy. Without it, you’re personally responsible for your passenger’s medical bills.
Learn more: What liability insurance covers
How much is motorcycle insurance?
How much you pay for motorcycle insurance depends a lot on the type and amount of protection you choose. Among Jerry users, 50% of motorcycle riders choose coverage limits higher than the state minimum. Higher limits offer stronger protection for your finances and savings after an accident — and often don’t cost much more.
What really matters is comparing carriers. Each insurer prices driver details differently, which is why Jerry users have seen a wide range of prices over the past year.
Minimum
Monthly cost: $9 – $32/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your bike.
Full
Monthly cost: $15 – $80/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your motorcycle.
The Jerry difference: It’s usually smarter to lower your costs by comparing quotes—not cutting coverage. Jerry lets you see carriers and coverage options side by side, so you can find the best protection at the best price.
In addition to differences between carriers, your motorcycle insurance rate depends on several factors, including your:
🏍️ Motorcycle type. Sport bikes cost more to insure than cruisers.
👤 Age and experience. Younger, less experienced riders pay more.
📍 Location. Urban areas with more accidents and theft have higher rates.
📋 Driving record. Tickets and accidents increase your premium.
🛡️ Coverage level. Full coverage costs more than a liability-only policy.
💵 Deductible. Higher deductibles lower your premium.
Key takeaway: Motorcycle insurance is typically cheaper than car insurance because motorcycles cost less to repair and have lower liability payouts in accidents.
Get motorcycle insurance quotes with Jerry
Jerry pulls motorcycle insurance quotes from top insurance companies in under 2 minutes and shows them side-by-side. You see exactly who’s charging what for identical coverage, and what discounts you can get from bundling with your car or home insurance.
Once you pick your policy, Jerry handles the rest—paperwork, start date, even canceling your old coverage—so you can switch fast and ride worry-free.
Do you need full coverage?
Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision insurance that covers damage to your motorcycle in an accident, theft, vandalism, fire and falling objects. Here’s when to consider it.
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Your motorcycle is financed or leased.
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Your bike is worth more than $3,000.
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You can’t afford to replace your bike if it’s totaled.
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Your bike is older and worth less than $3,000.
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You have enough savings to fully replace your bike if it’s totaled.
Key takeaway: Full coverage is typically worth it for bikes over $3,000, or financed motorcycles. For older bikes under $3,000, consider saving the premium money instead — you’ll likely pay more in coverage than you’d collect in claims.
It only takes 2 minutes to sign up at Jerry.
FAQ
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✅ Is motorcycle insurance required?
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💵 How much is motorcycle insurance per month?
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⚠️ Does motorcycle insurance cover passengers?
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❌ Can I use my car insurance for my motorcycle?
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🏍️ What’s the difference between motorcycle insurance and car insurance?
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💡Do I need full coverage on an older motorcycle?
Methodology
Data included in this analysis comes from policies that Jerry has quoted within the last 6 months for drivers with a clean record and that have full coverage, unless stated otherwise. Data related to violations, accidents or credit scores pull from quote data from the last 18 months. Jerry services 48 states and offers a range of insurance companies to choose from.
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.
