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The cost of motorcycle insurance is more expensive for 18-year-olds than it is for older riders. Fortunately, there are some steps young riders can take to secure affordable rates and comprehensive coverage — namely, to learn about their options and the factors that affect premiums. To help you compare plans and determine which is right for you, MoneyGeek compiled a list of the best motorcycle insurance policies available to 18-year-olds.

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How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost for an 18-Year-Old?

Motorcycle insurance for an 18-year-old rider costs an average of $1,124 for a full coverage policy and $313 for a liability-only policy. These are averages, so what you pay may differ according to your location and driving record.

Average Cost of Motorcycle Insurance for an 18-Year-Old
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Which Company Has the Best Cheap Insurance for an 18-Year-Old?

One of the best ways to save money on motorcycle insurance as a young adult is to shop around. GEICO offers the cheapest motorcycle insurance for an 18-year-old, with an average cost of $202 for a liability-only policy. A policy with the same coverage from Nationwide is $417 — that’s a difference of $215.

Similarly, a full coverage policy from Dairyland costs an average of $598, and a comparable full coverage policy from Nationwide is $1,883 — a whopping $1,285 difference. Note that the most affordable company for a liability-only policy is not necessarily the cheapest for a full coverage policy.

Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance for 18-Year-Olds
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Liability-only insurance covers you for damage and bodily injury to other parties in an at-fault accident. Like liability auto insurance, it doesn’t cover any injuries you sustain or damages to your bike. Guest passenger liability may be available depending on your location and insurance company. This coverage provides some financial protection to any passengers you carry on your motorcycle. Nearly every state requires liability insurance for motorcycles, although the minimum coverage levels in each state can vary.

If you want to cover damages after an accident to yourself and your bike — regardless of fault — you’ll want to look into full coverage insurance. This type of policy is similar to full coverage auto insurance.

A full coverage motorcycle insurance plan typically includes:

  • Motorcycle collision insurance (covers losses regardless of fault)
  • Comprehensive insurance (covers losses due to theft, vandalism or fire)
  • State-mandated coverages, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

If you’ve added custom upgrades to your motorcycle, you may want to purchase additional coverage. Otherwise, full coverage insurance will typically only cover your bike for the way it left the factory, minus your deductible.

MoneyGeek’s Motorcycle Insurance Recommendation for 18-Year-Olds

After analyzing policy costs, discounts and customer service ratings from J.D. Power for most major motorcycle providers, MoneyGeek recommends Progressive as our top choice for 18-year-olds.

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Motorcycle Insurance Cost by State for 18-Year-Olds

Where you live can significantly impact how much you’ll pay for motorcycle insurance. Some states have higher limits for minimum personal liability insurance requirements, which cost more to purchase. States with warmer climates also have a longer riding season, increasing the risk of an accident and insuring riders. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that Alaska has the cheapest full coverage rates for an 18-year-old ($373), followed by Montana ($382) and Minnesota ($412).

Motorcycle Insurance Cost by State for 18-year-olds
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These sample premiums are for a full coverage plan.

Why Is Motorcycle Insurance Expensive for an 18-Year-Old?

Another factor that will affect how much you pay for motorcycle insurance is your age. Insurance companies use your driving history to set rates and determine risk. Since 18-year-old riders have a limited riding history, they pay more for insurance. Teen drivers are also more likely to be involved in car accidents, underestimate risk and not recognize dangerous situations than adults.

An 18-year-old motorcycle rider pays an average of $174–$709 more for insurance than a 40-year-old rider, depending on the state.

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How Can 18-Year-Olds Save Money on Motorcycle Insurance?

As an 18-year-old motorcycle rider, insurance tends to be costly. Fortunately, there are some key steps you can take to reduce your rates significantly:

1

Shop Around

Because insurance premiums vary widely, be sure to shop around and get multiple quotes from different companies. An 18-year old could pay $202 for a liability-only policy from Progressive or $417 at Nationwide — that’s a difference of $215. Finding quotes online is quick and easy, and it could save you hundreds of dollars on your premium.

2

Choose the Right Bike

Some bikes cost more to insure than others. Bikes that are older or have less powerful engines tend to be relatively inexpensive to insure. On the other hand, sportbikes cost a great deal to insure. Cruisers and tourers fall somewhere in between. Choose your bike wisely.

3

Join Your Parent’s Insurance Policy

One advantage to being an 18-year-old motorcycle rider is that you might be able to hop onto your parent’s car insurance policy. Your parents probably earn more discounts from their insurance company, such as bundling home and auto insurance and having multiple vehicles, so their rates will be lower.

4

Consider a Liability-Only Policy

If you’ve already paid off your bike, you might want to consider a liability-only policy. Keep in mind that liability-only insurance won’t cover repairs to your motorcycle if you’re at fault in an accident. However, if you’re a safe rider and have the funds to repair your bike in a worst-case scenario, the low premiums associated with this plan might be worth the risk.

5

Use Discounts to Your Advantage

Take advantage of as many discounts as you can. Most insurance companies offer many opportunities for savings, including:

  • Motorcycle safety course discounts
  • Riding association discounts
  • Pay-in-full discounts
  • Anti-theft discounts
  • Paperless billing discounts

Ask your insurance company what discounts you qualify for.

6

Purchase Seasonal Insurance, if Applicable

If you don’t ride your bike in the cold winter months, some insurance companies allow a “lay-up” period, which means you keep your insurance when you’re not using your motorcycle. Some even have a provision for a “sunny day” exclusion, meaning you can ride your bike once or twice if it’s unseasonably warm. However, keep in mind that every company in every state doesn’t offer this type of policy.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Motorcycle Insurance

Here are the most frequently asked questions MoneyGeek gets about motorcycle insurance.

Just like car insurance, 18-year-old riders pay more for motorcycle insurance than someone over 25. The average annual cost for a liability-only policy for an 18-year-old is $313, while a full coverage plan is $1,124. These are the national averages, so what you pay might differ according to where you live and what insurance company you have.

GEICO offers the cheapest annual quote for an 18-year-old on a liability-only policy at $202. Dairyland has the most affordable full coverage policy at $598. Your rates from these companies may differ, but getting quotes from both of them is an excellent place to start.

Yes, an 18-year-old rider can stay on their parent’s insurance policy. There is no age limit to how long you can stay on your parent’s auto policy, as long as you live at the same address. Once you move out, you’ll need to purchase your own policy.

Like car insurance, the two factors that have the biggest impact on your motorcycle insurance rates are age and location. Maintaining a good riding record and credit score can also help lower your rates.

Learn More About Motorcycle Insurance

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Methodology

To calculate the sample rates on this page, MoneyGeek used quotes for an 18-year-old Honda Rebel 500 rider with a good driving record.

The rates provided reflect the following coverage limits:

  • $50,000 per person for bodily injury coverage
  • $100,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage
  • $25,000 per accident for property damage coverage

When sample rates were for a full coverage policy, the policy included comprehensive and collision insurance with a $500 deductible.

About Gail Kellner

Gail Kellner headshot

Gail Kellner is a professional financial writer who specializes in life insurance, auto insurance and personal finance. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University and her Master's of Science from Indiana State University. She loves combining her knowledge of psychology with her financial expertise so people can make better financial decisions.

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