Motorcycle Insurance in North Carolina: The Cheapest Quotes and Best Companies

The cheapest motorcycle insurance in North Carolina may just come with liability-only coverage and might not always be the best choice for the rider. Liability-only insurance does not protect your motorcycle or your injuries if you are at fault for the accident. Since it only covers injuries and damage to property or other people, a liability-only motorcycle insurance policy may be far less expensive to insure. For most motorcycle riders, a policy that includes comprehensive and collision coverage is a safer and better option because it provides more protection and higher liability limits.

MoneyGeek compared rates based on the profile of a low-risk rider in North Carolina with a clean driving record and a 50/100/25 liability-only policy.

Amongst the motorcycle insurance companies in North Carolina offering liability-only coverage, the following companies were found to have the lowest average rates:

• Nationwide: $82 per year
• GEICO: $82 per year

In comparison, Progressive offers the most expensive motorcycle insurance carrier in the state at an average of $90. The cheapest options are 9.4% cheaper than the average rate from Progressive.

Average Annual Premium for Liability Coverage

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• Company
  Annual Premium
• 1.
  Nationwide
  $82
• 2.
  GEICO
  $82
• 3.
  Dairyland
  $83
• 4.
  Harley-Davidson
  $83
• 5.
  Markel
  $89
• 6.
  Progressive
  $90

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If you want more protection, it's best to go for a full coverage policy. It includes comprehensive and collision coverage, which covers damages caused by collisions, regardless of whether the collision is with a vehicle or structure. This coverage also is a protection against damages caused by vandalism, theft, weather events or fire. Additionally, if you're making payments on your motorcycle, it's best to go for a full coverage policy rather than a liability-only policy with limited coverage.

MoneyGeek ranked the following two companies as the cheapest after reviewing the profile of a good rider with 50/100/25 coverage and a $500 deductible for a full coverage policy:

• Harley-Davidson: $179 per year
• GEICO: $208 per year

Nationwide, the most expensive provider for a full coverage policy, quoted an average annual cost of $1,043. Harley-Davidson is 82.8% cheaper than Nationwide.

Average Annual Premium for Comprehensive and Collision

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• Company
  Annual Premium
• 1.
  Harley-Davidson
  $179
• 2.
  GEICO
  $208
• 3.
  Progressive
  $248
• 4.
  Markel
  $278
• 5.
  Dairyland
  $303
• 6.
  Nationwide
  $1,043

Show more

Compare Motorcycle Insurance Rates

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The motorcycle insurance rates in North Carolina are determined by several factors, including coverage types, motorcycle model, riding record, age and years of riding experience. MoneyGeek assessed various insurance companies to deduce the average cost of motorcycle insurance in North Carolina.

A full-coverage policy in North Carolina will cost you an average of $377 per year or about $31 a month. This shows that the cost is $13 or 3% higher than the national annual average of $364.

If you choose a liability-only motorcycle insurance policy, your premiums will be lower at around $85 per year or around $7 a month. This rate is $56 less than the national annual average of $141 for liability-only insurance. However, a liability-only policy doesn’t cover your motorcycle or bodily injuries sustained in the crash.

Prices for North Carolina were calculated using a motorcycle insurance policy with bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000/$100,000 and property damage coverage of $25,000. We also considered a full coverage policy with uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist minimum coverage and a $500 deductible.

Car Insurance Costs by Coverage Type

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• Policy Type
  Average 12-Month Cost in North Carolina
  Average 12-Month National Cost
  Variance
• Full Coverage
  $377
  $364
  $13
• Liability Only
  $85
  $141
  -$56

Compare Motorcycle Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your motorcycle insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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MoneyGeek ranked multiple insurance companies in North Carolina to find the best motorcycle insurers that offer a balance of affordability and quality service. MoneyGeek's unique scoring system rated the companies based on quotes unique to North Carolina, product offerings and choices, customer service, affordability and financial stability. Harley-Davidson was named the best motorcycle insurance provider in North Carolina.

Expand All Rankings +

1

Harley-Davidson

Score:97

-

4.9/5

Affordability

5/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• Special rewards for retired and active military and law enforcement employees
• Offers multiple add-on coverages
• Online payment option

Cons

• Not available in all US states
• Doesn’t offer a mobile app
• Accident forgiveness coverage has eligibility requirements

More About Harley-Davidson

A score of 97.46 out of 100 points ranked Harley-Davidson as the best motorcycle insurance company in North Carolina. A liability-only policy from the company costs an average of $83 yearly, while a full-coverage policy costs $96 more at an annual average of $179.

Harley-Davidson offers its customers impressive discounts and unique coverages. For example, the company offers optional equipment coverage that protects equipment that was included as part of modifying your bike. This means that custom equipment and parts will be covered. In case you feel like renting a bike, its vacation rental insurance provides covers for a rental bike from a licensed dealer. The company also rewards new bike owners and experienced riders with special discounts. Additionally, being a member of the Harley Owner’s Group can also fetch you a special discount from the company.

2

Dairyland

Score:94

-

4.7/5

Affordability

4.7/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• Offers a mobile app
• Impressive coverage options
• 24/7 claims support

Cons

• No insurance bundling available
• Cannot file a claim online
• Rates are higher for full coverage policies

More About Dairyland

Dairyland is the second-best company in North Carolina, with a score of 93.75. If you want to purchase liability-only motorcycle insurance coverage, it costs an average of $83 per year. A full-coverage policy through Dairyland costs an average of $303 per year.

Dairyland is unique for covering all motorcycle types, including dirt bikes, regardless of their model and manufacturer. The company discounts prices when you insure multiple motorcycles with them. The loyalty discount they offer is a relief for customers who have been with Dairyland for more than a year and want to upgrade their bikes. Plus, if you have passed a motorcycle safety course with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in the past five years, you will be eligible for a rider course discount.

3

GEICO

Score:89

+

4.9/5

Affordability

3.3/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• Offers a mobile app
• Flexible payment options
• Website available in English and Spanish

Cons

• Low scores in product offerings and services ratings
• Not the best for all states
• No discounts for new riders

More About GEICO

With a MoneyGeek score of 88.9, GEICO is the third-best motorcycle insurer in North Carolina. It will cost you an annual average of $82 for a liability-only policy from GEICO. For a full coverage policy, the company quotes an average of $208 per year.

GEICO offers its customers special coverages like accessories coverage and roadside assistance in addition to all the standard coverages. You can save money by adding one more motorcycle or a car to your motorcycle insurance policy. The company also reduces the rates of mature and experienced riders and those who complete a motorcycle safety course from Motorcycle Safety Foundation or Military Safety Course. Those currently working as Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructors are also offered up to 20% discounts on rates.

It’s easy to obtain a motorcycle insurance quote online in North Carolina. Most insurance companies provide quotes online after gathering all of the following information or more from you:

• ZIP code and address in North Carolina where the bike will be located
• Previous address if you moved in the past six months
• Your date of birth
• Vehicle make, model and manufacturing year
• Your riding experience level
• Your riding record

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Before purchasing an insurance policy, it’s important to know the minimum coverage requirements for your state. North Carolina's motorcycle insurance laws and requirements require all riders to possess an insurance policy that meets the following coverage at the minimum:

• $30,000 per-person bodily injury liability
• $60,000 per-accident bodily injury liability
• $25,000 property damage liability
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Underinsured motorist coverage

All motorcycles in North Carolina must have a minimum liability-only allowance of 30/60/25. This means that your North Carolina motorcycle insurance policy will offer up to $60,000 in coverage for all those injured in an accident, with a $30,000 limit per person and $25,000 in property damage coverage. If you’re at fault for the accident, your insurance company will be ready to pay you these liability limits.

North Carolina requires uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage for all motor vehicles besides bodily injury and property damage coverages. However, while not required, personal injury protection (PIP) can be added to your existing policy if you want to cover medical bills, loss of income and other expenses regardless of who's at fault for the accident.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

For most riders in North Carolina, MoneyGeek recommends a full coverage policy of at least 50/100/25 and preferably 100/300/100 because of the small incremental cost for a large increase in coverage. North Carolina requires Uninsured Motorist Coverage and we recommend that this coverage should match your policy coverage mentioned above. North Carolina’s state law doesn’t require PIP coverage, but we recommend adding the coverage if you can afford it.

Several factors come into play while looking for a motorcycle insurance policy. Here we have answered some of your common questions, like which company offers the cheapest insurance in North Carolina and how much does motorcycle insurance cost in North Carolina.

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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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