Motorcycle Insurance in California: The Cheapest Quotes and Best Companies

While many people value affordability as one of the top factors they look for in a motorcycle insurance policy, the cheapest plan may not necessarily be the best option available. Full coverage with comprehensive and collision insurance is more expensive than liability-only coverage, but it offers better protection and higher liability limits. While you’ll pay more in premiums, full coverage insurance can protect you and your bike from accidents and non-collision events like vandalism, fire or theft. MoneyGeek used quotes for a good driver with a 50/100/25 liability-only coverage policy to find rates for these policies in California.

Based on average prices, the most affordable companies for a good biker with liability-only motorcycle insurance in California are:

• GEICO: $79 per year
• Dairyland: $102 per year

GEICO’s premiums are 79.7% lower than those offered by the most expensive provider, Harley-Davidson.

Average Annual Premium for Liability Coverage

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• Company
  Annual Premium
• 1.
  GEICO
  $79
• 2.
  Dairyland
  $102
• 3.
  Progressive
  $148
• 4.
  Harley-Davidson
  $388

MoneyGeek recommends California riders purchase full coverage motorcycle insurance to get comprehensive protection. This coverage can financially protect you and your bike in the event of an at-fault accident. In most cases, riders are required to have full coverage insurance if they’re still making payments on their motorcycles.

The least expensive motorcycle insurance firms for a good biker with a full coverage policy, including 50/100/25 coverage and a $500 deductible, are:

• GEICO: $210 per year
• Progressive: $301 per year

GEICO’s full coverage premiums are 58.6% cheaper than the costliest carrier, Dairyland.

Average Annual Premium for Comprehensive and Collision

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• Company
  Annual Premium
• 1.
  GEICO
  $210
• 2.
  Progressive
  $301
• 3.
  Harley-Davidson
  $503
• 4.
  Dairyland
  $507

Compare Motorcycle Insurance Rates

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Factors such as your age, riding record, motorcycle model, coverage amounts and years of riding experience determine the average cost of motorcycle insurance in California. MoneyGeek collected average rates from providers in the state for different rider profiles.

California riders pay an average of $380 per year for a full coverage policy or about $32 per month. This cost is $17 more than the national average.

Purchasing a liability insurance plan in the state costs $179 per year or $15 per month, or $38 more than the national average. Minimum coverage may be cheaper but won’t cover your injuries or bike damages if you’re at fault.

MoneyGeek’s study used average rates for a policy with $50,000/$100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage, $25,000 in property damage liability insurance and a $500 deductible.

Car Insurance Costs by Coverage Type

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• Policy Type
  Average 12-Month Cost in California
  Average 12-Month National Cost
  Variance
• Full Coverage
  $380
  $364
  $17
• Liability Only
  $179
  $141
  $38

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MoneyGeek rated the best motorcycle insurance providers in California based on criteria such as affordability, products and services offered, and financial stability. Based on the results of this data, Progressive is the top-ranking motorcycle insurance company in the state.

MoneyGeek’s data recognizes the following three companies as the best motorcycle insurance carriers in California:

Expand All Rankings +

1

Progressive

Score:91

-

4.5/5

Affordability

4.7/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• Offer a wide range of add-ons
• Allow customers to get quotes and buy motorcycle insurance online
• Provide handy mobile app

Cons

• Their Large Accident Forgiveness program, which covers the first accident of the year, is only offered to policyholders of at least four years who have three accident-free years
• All discounts are not offered in all states
• Below-average user satisfaction rating

More About Progressive

MoneyGeek scored Progressive 90.64 out of 100, making it the highest-scoring motorcycle insurance provider in California. This company’s average annual rate for liability-only coverage is $148 per year. For full coverage, Progressive charges a yearly fee of $301.

Progressive stands out with an array of features, including automatic coverage for custom and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. The company’s accident forgiveness program ensures your rates won’t increase for claims less than $500. Their disappearing deductible feature reduces your deductible by 25% for every claim-free policy term. Progressive also offers injury protection coverage that will pay you up to $250 a week for two years if a covered accident prevents you from working. If the policyholder dies, their beneficiaries will be given $25,000.

2

GEICO

Score:90

-

5/5

Affordability

3.3/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• Competitive prices and discounts
• Convenient payment plans and options
• Top-notch customer service and financial stability ratings

Cons

• Few add-on options
• Local agents are not available to help customers
• All discounts are not offered in all states

More About GEICO

GEICO ranks second in California with a score of 90. Full coverage rates from this provider average $210, while liability-only coverage costs $79.

GEICO offers many perks, including bike accessories coverage for saddlebags, chrome pieces, backrests, seats, CB radios and helmets. To benefit from accessories coverage, you’ll need to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage. A range of discounts is also offered, including loyalty, multi-policy, multiple motorcycles, mature riders, motorcycle safety courses, renewals, transfers, military safety courses, and motorcycle safety foundation. Some discounts can enable you to save up to 20% on your annual premiums. You can also opt to buy emergency roadside assistance.

3

Dairyland

Score:84

+

3.9/5

Affordability

4.7/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• Offers 24/7 phone claims services
• Accepts high-risk riders
• Provides low down-payment charges

Cons

• Liability insurance isn’t the cheapest in the state
• Discounts and coverages are not available in all places
• No online claims reporting feature

More About Dairyland

Dairyland is the third-best provider in California, with a score of 84.11 out of 100. This company’s rates for liability-only coverage are $102 per year and $507 per year for full coverage.

Dairyland covers all types of motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, accessories, collisions, vintage bikes, custom bikes and trikes. Bodily injury liability, trip interruption coverage, uninsured motorist bodily injury and property damage are all included in the company’s regular coverages. Discounts are offered for owning multiple bikes, taking rider safety courses and staying a loyal customer.

It’s wise to shop around and compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the cheapest motorcycle insurance in California. To get an online quote, provide the following details:

• California address and ZIP code
• Birthdate
• Vehicle year, make and model
• Riding record
• Insurance coverage elections (for more information, see below)

Compare Motorcycle Insurance Rates

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California requires all bike riders to purchase at least minimum liability motorcycle insurance coverage. The state’s minimum coverage requirements are:

• 15,000 bodily injury liability per person (BI)
• $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $5,000 property damage liability (PD)

In California, the minimum liability coverage requirement for all motor vehicles is 15/30/5. That means your motorcycle insurance in California should have liability limits of at least $15,000 for bodily injury per person, with a total of $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage liability coverage. These coverage limits will need to be met by your provider if you are at fault in an accident.

In California, bikers don’t have to have personal injury protection (PIP), underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist coverage. Only bodily injury and property damage coverage are required in California. For added security, you can buy PIP, underinsured motorist and uninsured motorist coverage.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

MoneyGeek advises that California riders purchase a full coverage package of at least 50/100/25. You can significantly increase your coverage by buying a 100/300/100 plan for a slightly higher cost.

To help riders find the cheapest motorcycle insurance in California, MoneyGeek answered common questions about providers and their coverages and rates.

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About Mark Fitzpatrick

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Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

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