Is Insurance Required for a Motorcycle?

Car insurance is a well-known necessity that every driver understands, to some degree. Motorcycle insurance, however, is a bit trickier. Some states require motorcycle insurance while others don’t, and those requirements vary depending on where you are. 

What States Don’t Require Motorcycle Insurance?

There are currently four states that do not require motorcycle insurance: Florida, Montana, New Hampshire and Washington.

Other states have different requirements, but all include a certain limit of liability insurance. Many states require their bikers to carry:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000

States that require these limits include Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington DC.

Motorcycle Requirements by State

There are the limits for the remaining states that require motorcycle insurance.

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina and South Dakota:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per accident
•  Property Damage Liability: $25,000

Alaska and Maine:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000

Arizona and Nevada:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000

California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $5,000

Colorado, Idaho and Tennessee:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $15,000

Delaware/West Virginia:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000/$50,000

Hawaii, Maryland and Michigan:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000

Illinois, Oregon, Virginia and Wyoming:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $20,000

Iowa:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $15,000

Louisiana:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $10,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000

Massachusetts:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $5,000

Minnesota/North Carolina and Texas:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability: $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000/$25,000

Utah:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per personBodily Injury Liability: $65,000 per accidentProperty Damage Liability: $15,000

Check your state’s laws to make sure you have the right amount of coverage to drive legally on the road.

Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance?

Whether your state requires motorcycle insurance or not, it’s highly recommended. Motorcycles can be expensive to repair after an accident. Sometimes, they’re your only form of transportation. A crash or natural disaster could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix if you don’t have a proper motorcycle insurance policy. On top of liability insurance, it’s generally recommended that you also carry:

• Comprehensive Coverage: This insurance compensates for loss or damage of your bike due to fire, wind, theft, vandalism and more.
• Collision Coverage: Collision coverage compensates for damages due to a collision with another vehicle or object.
• Personal Injury Protection: Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as medical payments coverage, helps with the medical expenses of you and your passengers after an accident.
• Guest Passenger Liability: Guest passenger liability covers damages or injuries someone may cause wile operating your bike with permission.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: In case a driver without insurance collides with your bike, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will pay for the damages.

Every bike is different, and it’s important to find the right policy for you.