Updated: May 8, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Progressive is our pick for the best motorcycle insurance company for it's overall good customer service, large offering add-on coverages and numerous discount opportunities.
Dairyland Insurance earned our title for both the best regional insurer for bike insurance and the best overall motorcycle insurance rates for liability-only coverage.
To find the best motorcycle insurance for you, compare quotes from many companies, research discounts, and decide your coverage needs before buying.
Why You Can Trust MoneyGeek
MoneyGeek evaluated over 70 motorcycle insurance companies nationwide, scoring each on affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%). We gathered quotes for different rider types — from our main profile of a 40-year-old man with good credit and a clean record to young riders, seniors and riders with violations. Our analysis combined rate comparisons across all states with customer feedback from Google reviews, J.D. Power ratings, AM Best scores and forums, plus evaluations of each provider's coverage types and unique features to ensure our rankings work for all riders.
MoneyGeek maintains editorial independence and does not receive compensation from insurance companies for rankings or recommendations.
Progressive ranks as the best motorcycle insurance company overall with a MoneyGeek score of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It offers affordable rates averaging $384 annually, along with 15 coverage options and 12 discount opportunities
Dairyland scores 4.6 and specializes in custom and modified motorcycles that most insurers won't cover. GEICO scores 4.4 and has the lowest rates for young riders and seniors with high customer satisfaction scores.
Best Overall: Progressive | 4.9/5 | $384 |
Best for Young Riders: Geico | 4.4/5 | $364 |
Best for Custom and Modified Bikes: Dairyland | 4.6/5 | $377 |
Best for Low Mileage Riders: Markel | 4.3/5 | $670 |
Best for H.O.G. Members: Harley-Davidson | 4.3/5 | $234 |
The right motorcycle insurance company depends on your rider profile, bike type and coverage needs. Check financial strength ratings, compare customer satisfaction scores and confirm coverage options match your bike before deciding. Get quotes from at least three companies and compare reputation, complaint ratios and policy features.
Each insurer's MoneyGeek Score reflects performance across four categories:
| Progressive | 4.47 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.50 | 4.86 |
| Dairyland | 4.53 | 5.00 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.58 |
| Geico | 4.90 | 3.00 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 4.37 |
| Markel | 4.00 | 5.00 | 4.25 | 4.00 | 4.3 |
| Harley | 4.53 | 5.00 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 4.28 |
Best Motorcycle Insurance Company Overall
Average Minimum Coverage Cost
Average Full Coverage Cost
AM Best Rating
Best Custom and Modified Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
Average Minimum Coverage Cost
Average Full Coverage Cost
AM Best Rating
Best Motorcycle Insurance for Young Riders
Average Minimum Coverage Cost
Average Full Coverage Cost
AM Best Rating
Best for Low-Mileage Riders
Average Minimum Coverage Cost
Average Full Coverage Cost
AM Best Rating
Best for H.O.G Members
Average Minimum Coverage Premium
Average Full Coverage Premium
AM Best Rating
Five decisions lead to the right coverage: identify your coverage needs, evaluate insurance providers, structure your policy efficiently, maximize discounts and keep premiums low over time.
Determine what coverage your motorcycle needs before requesting quotes. Financed or high-value bikes need full coverage. Older bikes worth under $3,000 can get by with liability only. Vintage or custom builds benefit from specialized options like agreed-value policies or high-limit accessory coverage.
Matching coverage to your bike type and how you ride keeps you from paying for protection you don't need.
Choose Coverage Matching Your Bike Type
Assess whether each insurer provides coverage options that meet your specific motorcycle insurance needs. Standard cruisers require different protection than custom builds, vintage classics, or high-performance sport bikes. Riders with expensive custom parts need high-limit accessory coverage, vintage owners require agreed-value policies, and daily commuters benefit from rental reimbursement and roadside assistance.
Evaluate Full Coverage vs. Liability-Only
Consider liability-only coverage for older motorcycles valued at less than $3,000. Full coverage premiums might surpass your bike's actual cash value, making comprehensive and collision coverage a poor financial choice for older bikes. Keep full coverage on financed bikes, high-value motorcycles, and newer models where repair costs could cause financial hardship.
Choose Lower-Risk Motorcycles
Choose standard cruisers instead of sport bikes and high-performance models to lower premiums by 15% to 40%. Insurance providers charge more for bikes with higher accident rates, faster top speeds, and greater theft risk. Think carefully about your motorcycle choice, as your bike type greatly influences your yearly insurance costs.
Compare at least three insurers using identical coverage requirements. Check AM Best ratings (A+ or A++ is the target), review NAIC complaint ratios (below 1.0 is ideal) and confirm the company has experience with your bike type. Rate differences of $200 to $500 a year between providers are common, so comparing quotes to find a lower rate.
Verify Insurers' Financial Strength and Customer Service
Check each insurer's AM Best financial strength rating before purchasing coverage. Ratings of A+ (Superior) or A++ (Superior) indicate the strongest ability to pay claims when you need protection most. Review J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings and NAIC complaint ratios to assess service quality. Look for complaint ratios below 1.0, which means the company receives fewer complaints than its market share justifies.
Assess Company Specialization
Choose insurance companies with proven expertise in your specific rider category or motorcycle type. Specialized insurers understand unique risks and coverage needs better than generalist providers. High-risk riders with violations should focus on companies that specialize in non-standard insurance, while owners of custom bikes need insurers with strong accessory coverage and modification expertise.
Compare Rates from Multiple Companies
Get quotes from at least three motorcycle insurance companies with the same coverage and deductibles to find true price differences. Insurance companies assess risk differently, so your age, location, bike type, and riding history may lead to rate differences of $200 to $500 a year between providers for the same coverage. Shop around each year during renewal time, as your rates with other insurers might have improved even if your current company raises your premium.
Identify Red Flags and Warning Signs
Avoid motorcycle insurance providers with NAIC complaint ratios over 1, numerous negative reviews about claim handling, or sales tactics that are aggressive and require upfront annual payments without offering monthly options.
Set your deductible at the highest amount you can afford to pay out of pocket after an accident. Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower your premiums by 10% to 15%, but only choose this if you have enough emergency savings to cover the higher deductible when filing a claim. Weigh the immediate premium savings against potential future out-of-pocket costs based on your financial situation.
Optimize Your Deductible Strategically
Increase your deductible to lower your premiums immediately. Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can reduce costs by 10% to 15%.
Apply for every discount you're eligible for, as stacking multiple discounts can lower your premiums by 30% to 60%. The greatest savings come from bundling policies (10% to 25% off), paying annually upfront (5% to 20% off), and taking safety courses (5% to 15% off). Add smaller discounts for memberships, low mileage, and security equipment to maximize your total savings.
Maximize Multi-Policy and Payment Discounts
Bundle your motorcycle insurance with auto or home insurance to save 10% to 25% on all policies. Multi-policy bundling offers some of the biggest discounts and makes managing policies easier with just one insurer. Paying your annual premium upfront can save an extra 5% to 20%, reducing costs by $50 to $150 per year on average policies.
Complete Safety Training and Join Organizations
An MSF-approved riding course cuts premiums by 5% to 15% and the savings hold for three to five years in most states. Membership in recognized groups like the American Motorcyclist Association or Harley Owners Group adds another 5% to 10%.
Reduce Your Annual Mileage
Riders under 5,000 miles a year qualify for low-mileage discounts. Usage-based policies can cut premiums by 10% to 60% for infrequent riders, so ask about them.
Install Security and Safety Equipment
Alarms, GPS trackers and disc locks qualify for security discounts of 5% to 15% at most carriers.
A clean riding record is the most reliable long-term cost control. Accidents and violations raise rates by 20% to 50% and that penalty holds for three to five years. Get new quotes at every renewal because switching when better rates appear saves more than staying with the same insurer.
Maintain a Clean Riding Record
Avoid accidents, speeding tickets, and traffic violations that increase premiums by 20% to 50% and remain on your record for three to five years. At-fault accidents raise rates substantially, while DUI convictions can triple your insurance costs. Drive defensively and follow traffic laws to maintain the lowest possible rates based on your clean riding history.
Review Your Policy Annually
Request new quotes from multiple providers during each renewal period to ensure you're still getting the best available rates. Your rates with other insurers may have improved even if your current company maintains or increases your premium. Switch insurers if you find better rates, improved coverage options, or superior customer service elsewhere, as loyalty to your current provider rarely results in the lowest possible rates.
Our top three picks for the best motorcycle insurance nationally are Progressive, Shelter Insurance and GEICO who all have a great mix of low rates, good customer service and a diverse add-on coverage selection. While these companies are our recommendations, we urge you to compare for yourself, search for coverages that suit you, and make your profile less high-risk to get the best cheap option for you.
Progressive provides the best motorcycle insurance overall with a MoneyGeek score of 4.9 out of 5 stars, combining affordable rates averaging $384 annually with 15 coverage options and 12 discount opportunities. Dairyland ranks second at 4.6 for riders with custom or modified motorcycles, while GEICO scores 4.4 with the industry's highest financial strength rating and excellent customer service. The best company for you depends on your bike type, riding profile, and coverage priorities
Harley-Davidson averages $234 a year, the lowest in MoneyGeek's analysis, though availability varies by state. Progressive averages $384 with the broadest discount selection. GEICO averages $364 and has the lowest senior rates at $34 a month for full coverage. Get quotes from at least three companies: age, location and riding history produce rate differences of $200 to $500 a year between insurers.
Yes, in 47 states. Florida, Montana and New Hampshire don't legally require liability coverage, but riders there are still financially responsible for injuries and property damage they cause. Lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage on any financed or leased bike, so insurance is effectively mandatory regardless of state law if you're still making payments.
Get full coverage motorcycle insurance (liability, comprehensive, and collision) if your bike is financed, worth over $3,000, or you can't afford to replace it out of pocket. Choose liability limits of at least 100/300/100 ($100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, $100,000 property damage).
The best motorcycle insurance rates average $384 annually, or about $32 monthly, though your actual rate depends on your age, location, bike type, coverage level and riding history.
Yes, you can get motorcycle insurance with a DUI, though your premiums will increase for three to five years. DUI convictions typically triple your insurance costs compared to clean-record rates, and some insurers may decline coverage entirely.
Standard motorcycle insurance liability coverage protects passengers you injure in at-fault accidents through your bodily injury liability limits. Guest passenger liability coverage is offered as an add-on by some insurers.
Your motorcycle insurance rates depend on your age and riding experience, your bike's type and value, your location and where you store your bike, your coverage choices and deductibles, your riding record and claims history and your credit score in states where insurers can use it.
You can't insure a motorcycle you don't own because insurance requires insurable interest, meaning a financial stake in the vehicle. The motorcycle's title owner must be listed as the policy's insured or co-owner.
You need motorcycle insurance year-round if your bike is financed, as lenders require continuous comprehensive and collision coverage.
Motorcycle riders face higher insurance costs than car drivers due to increased accident risk and injury severity, making it critical to find coverage that protects you financially without draining your budget. We designed this research to identify which insurers offer the best combination of affordable premiums, reliable claims service, and comprehensive coverage for riders across the country.
We evaluated more than 70 insurance companies nationwide, analyzing national carriers, regional providers, and local insurers across all U.S. residential areas. Our research combined rate analysis, customer feedback, and coverage assessments to create comprehensive rankings at both national and state levels.
We evaluated companies across three weighted categories that reflect what matters most when you're buying motorcycle insurance:
Why these weights: Your premiums are what you'll pay year after year, making affordability the dominant factor for riders managing insurance budgets. Customer experience carries substantial weight because you need an insurer that handles claims fairly when you're injured or your bike is damage
About Rachael Brennan
Rachael Brennan is a licensed insurance agent with over a decade of experience. She holds a property and casualty (P&C) license across all 50 states and a life, health, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) license in New York and surrounding states. She writes personal finance and insurance content for MoneyGeek, specializing in property, casualty, health, life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Brennan earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Texas A&M University-Commerce. As a writer, she uses her insurance and personal finance experience to share practical knowledge and help people make informed financial decisions.
