How Much Motorcycle Insurance Costs

The Balance / Daniel Fishel

The average cost for motorcycle insurance in the U.S. for 2020 was $702. Several variables go into determining how much motorcycle insurance will cost, including the type of motorcycle, the kinds of coverage you select, where you live, your driving record, and your age. You can reduce your rate by purchasing motorcycle insurance through your auto insurer, owning a home, having good credit, and taking a motorcycle safety course.

Key Takeaways

Here are some examples of drivers with various characteristics and the amounts they might expect to pay for a year of premiums.

Example Rates

25 to 60 Years Old: Good Driving Record, Liability-Only Coverage, Cruiser or Touring Motorcycle

These variables set you up for the lowest motorcycle insurance costs. Drivers above the age of 25 with a safe driving record often get good prices. (Rates typically go down as you get older until you reach age 70.) Combine those factors with liability-only coverage and a cruiser or touring bike, and you are looking at $100–$500 a year for insurance.

25 to 60 Years Old: Good Driving Record, Full Coverage, Cruiser or Touring Motorcycle

Adding physical damage protection to a motorcycle policy can have a big impact on a policy’s premium, as can the age and cost of the bike. Riders requesting full coverage typically have a newer and higher-valued bike to insure, and the more expensive your bike, the more it usually costs to insure. Plan on adding a few hundred dollars a year to your policy premium for full coverage on a more expensive cycle.

25 to 60 Years Old: Bad Driving Record, Full Coverage, Cruiser or Touring Motorcycle

A bad driving record can really push the cost of motorcycle insurance up. Motorcycle riders need to be extra responsible and cautious while behind the handlebars, and a bad driving record reflects poorly on your potential for a future claim. The degree in which your record is bad certainly makes a difference in your overall cost. It would probably be best to get a few quotes to determine a rate for your specific situation.

Note

Your driving safety record is based on your history of accidents and traffic violations from the past five years.

16 to 24 Years Old: Good Driving Record, Full Coverage, Sports Motorcycle

Young riders are often lured to fast sporty motorcycles, and the bikes' relatively lower price tag adds to their appeal. What they may not consider is the cost of insuring their new ride. A youthful driver combined with full coverage and a sports bike can raise the average cost of motorcycle insurance easily above the $1,000 mark, with some rates closer to $3,000. A good driving record will make the cost lower than a bad record, but the cost will still be very high.

Note

The age of the rider isn't the only experience-related factor involved; the number of years you've been riding is also taken into consideration, so a driver in their 20s who has been riding for eight years may pay less than a brand-new driver in their 30s.

Other Discounts on Rates

Insurance providers may offer a discount for paying your annual premium in full, without using an installment plan, and belonging to a riding association or other affinity group. Raising your deductible and opting out of insurance add-on coverage will also lower your overall cost. And certain safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, and anti-theft devices, including a GPS theft-recovery system, can make a difference too.

States With the Best Rates

North Dakota ($382), Iowa ($414), Wyoming ($439), Nebraska ($469), and South Dakota ($472) had the lowest annual motorcycle insurance rates for 2020. All of those states are in the Midwest or Great Plains and have populations that place them in the bottom half of all U.S. states.

States With the Worst Rates

California ($1,360), Louisiana ($1,175), Michigan ($1,083), New York ($969), and Arizona ($935) had the highest annual motorcycle rates. Those states have higher populations and generally warmer weather, which allows motorcycle enthusiasts to ride for more months out of the year.

Nationwide. "How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost?"

Progressive. "Here's What Affects Your Price for Motorcycle Insurance."

ValuePenguin. "Average Cost of Motorcycle Insurance (2020)."

Nationwide. "Motorcycle Insurance Discounts."

World Population Review. "US States — Ranked by Population 2020."

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