Can You Get Motorcycle Insurance Separate From Car Insurnance

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

If you own a motorcycle and plan to ride it on public roads, most states require some form of "financial responsibility." This means you can pay if you cause an accident and cause property damage or injuries. Most bikers satisfy financial responsibility laws by purchasing motorcycle insurance.

Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state and some states require very little. For example, in Florida, you are required to follow Florida's no-fault law, which requires minimum coverage of $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. If you want to ride without a helmet, you'll need a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance coverage.

Florida's minimum requirements are woefully inadequate, and even if your state has more stringent requirements, it's smart to buy more than the minimum coverage amount.

Here's how to customize a motorcycle insurance policy so that you're riding with good insurance protection.

Types of Motorcycle

Recommended Motorcycle Insurance

We recommend you buy more than your state's minimum motorcycle insurance requirements. Generally, you want to make sure you have adequate liability insurance and guest passenger liability insurance, which pays others for injuries and/or property damage if you cause an accident. A good rule of thumb is to buy enough liability insurance to cover what you could lose in a lawsuit.

Here's why: Let's say you have your state's minimum motorcycle liability insurance of 25/50/25 and you cause an accident that results in multiple injuries and $100,000 in medical bills. Your insurer will pay only $50,000, which means you could be liable for the rest.

It's also wise to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if it's available in your state. This covers your medical expenses if someone hits you and they don't carry any liability insurance or not enough.

It's also worth considering personal injury protection. While your health insurance takes care of medical expenses, you'll still have copays and deductibles. A good personal injury insurance plan covers copays, deductibles and even lost wages if you miss work due to an injury suffered in a motorcycle accident.

Other types of coverage like collision and comprehensive are a smart buy if you want coverage for repair bills for accidents covered by your policy or if someone steals your bike.

What Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover?

When you put together a motorcycle insurance policy, you can choose among several different insurance types to cover a wide range of problems. Here's a look at the most common types of motorcycle insurance.

Liability Insurance

This core coverage type pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. For example, if you cause an accident and someone gets hurt, liability will cover the injured person's medical bills—up to your policy's limits. It will also cover property damage, such as car dents you cause

Liability insurance also pays for a legal defense if someone sues you because of an accident.

When you purchase motorcycle liability insurance, you might see it written as a series of numbers, such as 25/50/25. Here's what those numbers mean:

$25,000 for bodily injury to one person in one accident
$50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people in one accident
$25,000 for property damage in one accident

Buying low limits of liability insurance is a way to cut your insurance costs, but could cost you far more later. If you cause an accident with expensive injuries and/or property damage to others, they can still sue you if your insurance runs out.

Guest Passenger Liability

If you cause an accident while on your motorcycle, this coverage pays for your passenger's medical expenses. Generally, this coverage won't apply if you didn't cause the accident. In those cases, you and/or your passengers could make a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance for your injury bills.

In some states, guest passenger liability is required, while in others it's an optional coverage.

Guest passenger liability might be included as part of your liability coverage or it could be sold separately, so it's a good idea to ask your insurance agent how to get it.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) pays your medical expenses if a driver who doesn't have insurance crashes into you. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is similar and pays when the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough. It's generally smart to have UM and UIM coverage.

Medical Payments (MedPay)

MedPay coverage helps pay for you and your passenger's medical bills, no matter who caused the accident. Depending on your state and insurance company, MedPay could pay for:

Ambulance and emergency medical expenses
Hospital bills
Professional nursing services
Health insurance deductibles and copays
Prescriptions

While health insurance typically covers medical expenses, MedPay can be a valuable coverage because it also pays for copays and deductibles.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP insurance is similar to MedPay but covers more. PIP coverage pays for you and your passenger's medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This includes medical expenses like hospital and doctor bills, and PIP can also cover lost wages if you can't work and replacement services for tasks you can't do, such as house cleaning.

PIP is mandatory in some states, optional in some and not available in others.

If both PIP and MedPay are available in your state, PIP is typically the better option because it can cover more, such as lost wages.

Collision Insurance

If your motorcycle is damaged because of a collision with another object, such as a car, tree or building, collision insurance pays for repairs. Keep in mind, collision insurance doesn't cover damage you cause to someone else's property. Your liability insurance is for damage you do to others.

If you need to file a claim for a problem covered by your collision insurance, you'll usually have a deductible. A deductible is what you pay out of pocket for a claim. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and the repairs are $2,000, your insurance company would pay $1,500 ($2,000 – $500 = $1,500).

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance is good to have because it covers a wide range of problems, such as motorcycle theft, vandalism, falling objects (like a tree branch), fire, floods and hail.

Like collision insurance, if you need to file a claim for a problem covered by comprehensive insurance, you'll have a deductible.

Extra Coverage Types for Motorcycle Insurance

Coverage types such as liability insurance and personal injury protection are a great start for a solid motorcycle insurance policy. If you want to customize your policy with additional coverage types, here are some to consider.

OEM Endorsement

An OEM endorsement ensures that original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are used to repair your motorcycle if there's a repair covered by your policy. If an OEM part is not available, you'll receive a payment based on the fair market value of the OEM part.

Depending on your insurance company, this coverage might be limited to motorcycles of a certain age—for example, motorcycles less than 10 years old.

Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage

If you like to customize your bike with aftermarket parts, this coverage is for you. Custom parts and equipment coverage helps pay to repair or replace aftermarket additions to your motorcycle if they are damaged or destroyed by a problem covered by the policy.

For example, if you added aftermarket handlebars to your bike and they were damaged in a collision, they would be covered under custom parts and equipment coverage.

Unlike collision and comprehensive insurance, custom parts and equipment coverage typically does not have a deductible. But you would need to pay the deductible for the collision and comprehensive portion of your claim. For example, if you have a collision that causes damage to your custom handlebars and the standard front forks, you would have to pay the deductible to repair or replace the forks, but not the handlebars.

Another thing to keep in mind: Custom parts and equipment coverage usually has a limit, meaning the insurance company will only pay a certain amount. For example, if your custom parts and equipment coverage has a $3,000 limit but you have a $4,000 customized seat, you would be responsible for the remaining $1,000.

Total Loss Coverage

Total loss coverage pays to replace your motorcycle with a newer model motorcycle if it's stolen or totaled by a problem covered by the policy. Total loss coverage can help bridge the gap between the cost of a replacement motorcycle and the actual cash value (ACV) of your motorcycle, which includes depreciation.

For example, if you paid $15,000 for a new motorcycle and nine months later it's totaled in a collision, but the ACV is $10,000, that's what your insurance company would pay (minus the deductible) to replace your bike. With total loss coverage, you'll typically get a claim payout that would replace your totaled bike with a new or similar model, depending on the policy.

This type of coverage is generally only available for motorcycles of a certain age. For example, your motorcycle may need to be no more than one or three model years old.

Roadside Assistance

No one wants to break down on the side of the road. This coverage won't lessen the inconvenience of a breakdown but it can at least help financially. It pays for certain expenses if your motorcycle is disabled due to mechanical and electrical breakdown. Problems covered by roadside assistance insurance might include:

Dead battery
Empty gas tank
Flat tire
Lost key
Low oil, fluids or water

Expenses might include:

Towing
Labor at the place of breakdown
Delivery of fuel, oil or other fluids

Trip Interruption Coverage

Do you take long road trips on your motorcycle? This coverage pays for food, lodging and transportation if you're away from home and can't continue your trip because of a mechanical or electrical breakdown. Make sure to note the limits and rules on this coverage, such as:

You'll need to be a certain distance away from your primary residence, such as 100 miles.
Reimbursement for meals will typically be capped and must be incurred between the time of breakdown and the arrival at your destination or primary residence. For example, one insurance policy we looked at covered $50 per day until you reach your destination, or until the end of the fourth day (whichever comes first).
Reimbursement for lodging will typically be capped and must be incurred between the time of breakdown and the arrival at your destination or primary residence. For example, it might cap lodging reimbursement at $100 per day until you reach your destination or by the end of the fourth day (whichever comes first).

Exclusions to Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

An "exclusion" is any problem or damage that's not covered by the policy. In other words, you won't be able to file a claim for an exclusion. Here are some common motorcycle insurance exclusions:

Damage and injuries resulting from racing, stunting, demolition contests, or riding on a temporary or permanent racetrack, or practice or preparation for these types of contests.
Damage and injuries while using your motorcycle for a fee, such as delivering food or goods, or transporting passengers for pay.
Damage and injuries while using your motorcycle within the course of employment.
Damage and injuries resulting from a criminal act (except for traffic violations).
Damage and injuries resulting from intentional self-injury.
Damage and injuries while operating your motorcycle under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances, including cocaine, LSD, marijuana and all narcotic drugs.

How to Buy Motorcycle Insurance

You can purchase motorcycle insurance from most major auto insurance companies as well as small and regional insurers. It's a good idea to shop around to get the best quotes for motorcycle insurance.

Here are some major carriers that offer motorcycle insurance:

Allstate
American Family Insurance
Farmers Insurance
Geico
Liberty Mutual
Nationwide
Progressive
State Farm
USAA

Motorcycle Insurance Discounts

When you're shopping for motorcycle insurance, it's a good idea to ask about discounts. Here are some common discounts that might be available.

Multipolicy discount. If you have another insurance discount, like car insurance or home insurance, one of the best discounts you can get is by "bundling" your motorcycle insurance with the same company.
Motorcycle safety discount. Most insurance companies offer discounts for completing a motorcycle safety course. You can check with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for courses available in your state.
Safe rider discount. If you have a good riding and driving history, meaning no at-fault accidents or moving traffic violations in the past three to five years, you'll typically earn a discount.
Anti-theft discount. If your bike has an anti-theft or recovery device, such as a GPS theft-recovery system, you can typically get a discount on the comprehensive portion of your policy.
Insurance payment discounts. You can typically get a small discount for paying your premium in full, signing up for automatic payments or going paperless.
Riding association. Members of riding associations such as the American Motorcycle Association, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Harley Owners Group and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation may be eligible for a discount.

Reducing Motorcycle Thefts

There were almost 41,000 motorcycles stolen in the United States in 2019, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

The majority of thefts occur in the warm-weather months of July, August and September. August had the most thefts in 2019 (4,642) and February had the least (1,972).

The good news is that motorcycle thefts have seen a 12% drop since 2016, which had almost 46,500 thefts. But even with a national decline in stolen bikes, it's still a good idea to take preventative steps to keep your bike from being stolen. The NICB recommends that motorcycle owners:

Park in well-lit areas, lock your ignition and remove your keys.
Don't store your title in the motorcycle's storage compartment.
Place unique markings on your motorcycle and document the markings with photos. If your bike is stolen, you can use these markings to identify your motorcycle.

If you're buying or selling a motorcycle, the NICB recommends that you:

Purchase a motorcycle from a reputable dealer. If you're buying a motorcycle from a private party, avoid custom or "assembled vehicles."
Have a local dealership inspect the motorcycle before purchasing it.
Order a vehicle history report if you purchase it from a third party.
If you're buying from a third party, complete the transaction at local law enforcement's "safe area."
If you're selling a bike, don't turn over the title until the funds from a check or money order have cleared the bank.

Motorcycle Insurance FAQs

Do I need motorcycle insurance?

If you plan to ride on public roads, you're going to need to show "financial responsibility" in all states (even New Hampshire, under certain circumstances). Most bikers satisfy financial responsibility laws by purchasing motorcycle insurance.

What happens if I don't have motorcycle insurance?

If you're caught riding without insurance, you could face having your license and registration suspended, fines and even jail time, depending on the state.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost?

The cost of motorcycle insurance will depend on several factors, including your insurance company and the state you live in. Some of the most common pricing factors include your driving history (such as accidents, traffic violations and claims), the type of motorcycle you own, how you use your motorcycle and the types of coverage you select.

For example, someone with a less-expensive motorcycle who only rides on the weekends would pay less than someone who has an expensive customized motorcycle who uses it to commute to work. Motorcycle insurance can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars per year to thousands of dollars per year, according to Trusted Choice, a group for independent insurance agents.

How can I save money on motorcycle insurance?

There are several ways to save money on motorcycle insurance. Ask your insurance agent if you qualify for any discounts, like a good driver discount or discounts for memberships in certain clubs or associations.

Another way to save money on motorcycle insurance is by taking a motorcycle safety course. Insurance companies love safe riders. And if you avoid accidents and traffic violations, you'll pay less.

Should I cancel my motorcycle insurance in the winter?

Generally it's not a good idea to cancel your coverage. Even if your bike is in your garage for the winter, something could happen, like a fire or theft. Some insurance companies offer a "lay-up" policy, which temporarily suspends all coverage types except your comprehensive insurance, which covers problems like theft, vandalism, floods and fire.

Keep in mind, if you ride your motorcycle while some coverage types are suspended, you won't have liability coverage in case you cause injuries or damage to someone else, nor would you have collision coverage to pay for bike repairs if you cause an accident. If you're going to ride at all in the winter, it's best to keep all of your coverage intact.

If you use a lay-up policy, make sure you call your insurance agent in the spring so you have all your coverage in place.

Does motorcycle insurance cover theft?

You'll need to purchase comprehensive insurance if you want to cover motorcycle theft. Comprehensive insurance is good to have. A motorcycle is stolen about every 9.4 minutes in the United States, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

What types of motorcycles can I insure?

Insurance isn't limited to classic style cruisers. You can insure a wide range of vehicles such as dirt bikes, sport bikes, scooters, mopeds, touring motorcycles, utility task vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV).

Keep in mind that some insurance companies may not insure certain types of motorcycles, like dirt bikes or ATVs.

Do I need motorcycle insurance if I'm riding off-road?

Even if you're not riding on public roads, some states require liability insurance for off-road motorcycles like dirt bikes and motocross. Dirt bike insurance is not the same as motorcycle insurance, but you can purchase coverage types that are similar to motorcycle insurance. Some insurance companies won't cover off-road motorcycles because they are generally seen as a higher risk for injury.

Can You Get Motorcycle Insurance Separate From Car Insurnance

Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/motorcycle-insurance/