Comparing Motorcycle Insurance
Just like most other insurance coverage, the price you’re looking at paying is based on a variety of factors. If you’re insuring an extravagant motorcycle, your premiums are going to be much higher than if you’re insuring a budget moped. Insurance premiums will also be higher if you’re riding your bike year-round in the city than if you were to be riding it seasonally in a rural area. Regardless, we can help you find the best motorcycle insurance for your situation.
What is the Best Motorcycle Insurance for Me?
Technically speaking, the “best motorcycle insurance” is highly subjective. Insurance premiums vary depending on the rider’s specific needs (full coverage, liability, etc), condition (age, experience, driving record), and motorcycle.
The first thing you need to do is determine your relevant, personal factors, and then start your quote comparison process. Explore all of your options when acquiring quotes and make sure to compare precisely what coverages you need. We’ll help you with that below.
To help get you started, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of what we consider to be the best motorcycle insurance providers according to different categories.
These include:
- Best motorcycle insurance for affordability
- Best insurance when bundled
- Best for good credit or good driving record
- Best for custom bikes
- Best for high risk / accident-prone riders
- Best for beginners or young drivers
- Best for military members
- Best for specialty coverage
- Best for Harley Davidson owners
- Best based on customer satisfaction
Without further ado, let’s get down to the best motorcycle insurance providers for 2021.
Best Motorcycle Insurance Overall
As a leading insurance provider and a pioneer for the online-based insurance market, Progressive is our pick for the best motorcycle insurance provider overall. Progressive is able to keep costs low with their convenient, online, direct-to-consumer process (no insurance agent commissions fees). Consumers online can compare quotes, purchase policies, file claims, and even receive discounts for doing so. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Easy customer process
- Discount variety
- Smooth, speedy claims
- Snapshot program rewards
The Negative
- Discounts aren’t available in all states
- Average consumer rating overall
Best Motorcycle Insurance for Affordability
Geico has successfully become one of the biggest names in auto insurance thanks to its competitively low rates and a streamlined process for purchasing policies.
In terms of cost, Geico’s quotes are simply unbeatable. The company boasts the lowest insurance premium in the top 5 states with the most registered motorcycles, and the company consistently offers quotes that are $200 cheaper than the state average. This makes Geico our pick for the best motorcycle insurance based on price. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- A wide range of incentives/discounts
- The average rate is 19.11% lower than the national average
- Numerous awards/accolades
The Negative
- Average customer-service ratings
- Bundling is often with third-party companies
Best for Bundling Coverage
Nationwide Mutual Insurance has been operating for over nine decades and has consistently received praise for its consideration of employees; just take a look at some of their credentials below!
If you own more than one motorcycle or wish to bundle different insurance products, Nationwide’s bundling offers are simply unrivaled. This makes Nationwide our choice of bundled coverage provider. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- More accommodating to high-risk riders
- A wide variety of different products making bundling easy
- Numerous awards/accolades for the work environment, and corporate equality
The Negative
- Customer satisfaction ratings are below the national average
- Fewer add-on options than many other companies
Best for Drivers With Good History/Credit
State Farm is one of the most well-known and established auto insurance companies in the US. More Americans choose State Farm for their auto insurance than any other company.
For motorcycle insurance, State Farm offers some of the best promos and discounts for riders with a good credit rating or spotless driving record. The company is available in all 50 states and provides accident forgiveness and safe driver discounts, in addition to discounts for seasoned riders. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Financial stability
- Rates are below the national average in most states
- Bundling accommodations
The Negative
- Doesn’t accommodate poor credit as well as others
- Doesn’t accommodate poor riding record as well as others
- Coverage options and discounts are not available online and require talking to a local agent
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Best Motorcycle Insurance for Customized Bikes
A part of the Farmers Insurance Group, Foremost Insurance is one of the bigger providers of specialty insurance products in the US. The company’s motorcycle insurance products are geared towards customized bikes and riders with premium riding gear and safety equipment. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- High coverage for customized equipment over $30,000
- High coverage for safety apparel (helmets, goggles, etc)
- Trailer coverage
- Offers discounts for Farmers policyholders
The Negative
- Online quoting options based on product/location
- Doesn’t offer insurance in Hawaii and Massachusetts
Best Motorcycle Insurance for Vintage Bikes
Farmers Insurance Exchange, founded in 1928, is one of the well-known insurance giants in the industry. Originally started to provide only auto insurance, Farmers now offers a variety of different coverages through several companies. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Good policies for custom/vintage bikes
- Bundling accommodations
- High claim satisfaction ratings
The Negative
- Coverage options not consistent in every region
- A limited selection of add-ons
Best for Young Riders
Allstate, a name that you likely have heard many times over the years through their effective marketing campaigns and branded slogan.
The company offers the Allstate Rider Protection Project, a safety program geared for new and young riders. It also offers a First Accident Waiver that forgives the first motorcycle accident without incurring a higher premium. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Drivewise app rewards for safe riding
- Comprehensive coverage and a streamlined quote process
- Good for young drivers: first-accident waiver
The Negative
- Rates are above the national average in most states
- Online quotes can lead to sales calls from agents
Best for Military Members
USAA has been consistently ranked as one of the best auto insurance companies. The caveat here is that you need to be eligible for a USAA membership. If you’re eligible then USAA’s coverage and rates will be difficult to beat. What sets this insurer apart is that it also returns a portion of the profit to members. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- One of the all-around highest rated insurance companies
- Great rates
- High customer satisfaction ratings
The Negative
- Exclusive to military families
- Settled in a lawsuit in 2019 for EFT violations
Best for Specialty Coverage
Markel Corporation is a holding company for several insurance companies that deal with a variety of specialty insurance. The company accepts a wide range of motorcycles, from scooters and mopeds to big twins, dirt bikes, and custom rides. Markel should be a consideration if you’re in need of specialty insurance. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Specializes in specialty vehicles (motorcycles, ATVs, trikes)
- Unique, accommodating policies
- 19 years of continuous BBB accreditation
- Includes mechanical breakdown coverage in the standard policy, unlike other insurers that offer it as part of an extended warranty
The Negative
- No online quotes or smart app
- Critical customer reviews, though it should be noted that the company’s small size makes its complaint index disproportional on the National Commission of Insurance Commissioners’ claims satisfaction ratings
- Not available in Massachusetts and North Carolina, and not all coverage types are offered in all locations
Best Motorcycle Insurance for Harley Davidson Owners
Safeco is unique in that it primarily runs through a network of independent insurance agents and agencies who are licensed and appointed to sell their products. Another unique aspect is that it provides replacement coverage for up to 2 years for new Harley Davidson bikes. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Discount variety
- Comprehensive coverage
- Offers two-year replacement cost coverage on new Harley bikes
The Negative
- Expensive (Safeco has been compared at almost 20% above the national average for auto insurance)
- You can’t purchase over the phone or online. You’ll have to speak to a representative directly to finalize any policies
- Some complaints about the long waiting period for repair approvals and claims payouts.
Best for Client-Agent Relationships
Auto-Owners is a mutual insurance company (like Safeco) where all products are sold by independent agents. Auto-Owners is noteworthy for its exceptional claims service, receiving J.D. Power’s highest award for customer claims satisfaction. It writes policies in 26 states. BBB Ratings
The Positive
- Great customer service and satisfaction rating through local agents
- TrueRide app captures real-time data to offer significant discounts for safe riding
- Known for bundling coverage well
The Negative
- Generally more expensive due to being an independent agent company
- Their online system lacking (no live chat, no online quoting system, no claim file online)
- They only operate in 26 States
Best Motorcycle Insurance FAQ
Do you need motorcycle insurance?
Yes. The answer is always yes. The majority of the US makes it mandatory by law to have insurance on your motorcycle, but regardless of the law, it’s still the right decision to have insurance. From 2016 to 2017, passenger car fatality rates averaged at 10% per 100,000 registered vehicles. Motorcyclists are at an average of 60%. Get insurance
How much does motorcycle insurance cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to this question. Insurance costs will depend on a variety of factors, including your state’s minimum liability requirements. The best way to approach this is to become more familiar with the common types of coverage so you can decide what exactly you need.
What’s the cheapest motorcycle insurance?
Once again, there’s no simple answer to this question. In short, the cheapest motorcycle insurance is going to be the policy that suits you the best as an individual. Grab a quote, shop around, and compare rates to find the best fit.
For more on this subject, visit our updated guide to the cheapest motorcycle insurance.
How can I lower my insurance rates?
Here are some standard rate deductions for you to consider:
- Clean riding record
- Bundling (Purchasing multiple policies, insuring more than one motorcycle, purchasing numerous types of insurance, etc.)
- Completing motorcycle training courses
- Membership to a motorcycle rider’s organization
- Paying your policy in full
Do you have to have a driver’s license to get motorcycle insurance?
Generally speaking, in most of the United States, you must possess a valid motorcycle driver’s license if you’re registering a bike and plan to ride it. What’s more, is you can also qualify for reduced insurance rates by taking motorcycle safety courses along with your license.
