Progressive is the overall winner for the best motorcycle insurance due to it's great rates regardless of your rider profile or bike and good customer reputation. We also recommend taking a look at Shelter Insurance and Geico for some of the best bike coverage options on the market.
Best Motorcycle Insurance
Updated: April 17, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Progressive is our pick for the best motorcycle insurance company for it's overall cheap rates, good customer service, and large amount of great discount opportunities.
Shelter Insurance earned our title for both the cheapest overall motorcycle insurance for liability-only coverage and the best regional insurer for bike insurance.
To find the best motorcycle insurance for you, compare quotes from many companies, research discounts, and decide your coverage needs before buying.
Who Has The Best Motorcycle Insurance?
Best Motorcycle Insurance Company | MG Score (Out of 100) | Award |
|---|---|---|
Progressive | 94 | Best National Company |
Shelter Insurance | 92 | Best Regional Company |
Geico | 89 | Best For Young Riders |
Markel | 85 | Best For Low-Mileage Riders |
Dairyland | 83 | Best Coverage Availability |
Progressive: Best National Company
pros
Lowest rates for all driver types overall
Good customer reviews
Large selection of add-on coverage options
cons
Lower than average claims satisfaction
Insures a smaller selection of motorcycles than others
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Progressive by far offers the most balanced motorcycle insurance overall. The company boasts the most affordable coverage winning the cheapest title in 35 out of 51 states, the 2nd largest add-on selection, and good overall reviews. In addition to this, they offer the most generous pay-in-full discount we've seen with some discounts reaching up to 21% for full coverage policies.
Shelter Insurance: Best Regional Company
pros
Lowest minimum coverage rates on the market
Ranks within the top 3 for customer servicein J.D. Power studies
Decent selection of add-on coverages
cons
Limited availability in only 14 states nationwide
Less affordable full coverage policies
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
If you are looking for cheap minimum liability motorcycle insurance, Shelter Insurance is the best option for you if you are in their service area. Their rates start at a staggering $2 per month and the company ranks first overall for customer service in the Central U.S. and 4th in the Southeast. However, they are not as affordable for those looking for full coverage since they rank 3rd overall for pricing in that area according to our cost research.
Geico: Best For Young Riders
pros
2nd most affordable for young riders under 25
Great discount incentives for safety course training
Good customer reputation on the east coast
cons
Not as affordable in the western United States
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
While not the absolute cheapest provider, Geico offers the 3rd most affordable motorcycle insurance rates overall and the 2nd lowest rates for those under 25. Particularly for those on the east coast, you'll find great pricing, discount incentives for easy to complete safety courses, and additional programs to save if you bundle with auto insurance.
Markel: Best For Low-Mileage Riders
pros
Great rates for liability coverage for low-mileage drivers
High discounts for paying in full or quarterly
cons
Limited add-on options
Only available in 25 states
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Markel falls in the middle of the road when it comes to affordability for both minimum and full coverage. However, if you are a low mileage driver who rides less than 1,000 miles annually, you can take advantage of lower pay-per-mile premiums. Compared to other companies, the pay-per-mile insurer offers the 2nd highest pay-in-full discount of up to 16% and even allows flexibility of paying quarterly instead of just monthly and yearly.
Dairyland: Best Coverage Availability
pros
Available for the vast majority of motorcycles
Large discounts for married riders and homeowners
Offers vintage, custom, and specialty motorcycle coverage
cons
Higher than average rates
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Dairyland was the 3rd most expensive motorcycle insurer in our study, but this can be made up for if you are a married rider or own a home due to them having the 2nd largest discounts for these characteristics. Out of all providers on our list, Dairyland also has the least limitations as to what bikes can be insured and even offers specialty coverage for non-standard motorcycles.
How to Get the Best Motorcycle Insurance Policy for You
There are several things you should consider when deciding which insurance coverage is right for you.
- 1
Figure out how much insurance you really need.
Knowing exactly how much coverage you should carry is crucial to finding the right policy for you. Liability coverage is required by law in almost every state, but many levels of liability coverage are available. It is always a good idea to choose the highest level of liability coverage that you can comfortably afford.
There are many other types of coverage to choose from, including:
- Guest/Passenger Liability: This coverage will pay for medical bills for your passenger if you are in an at-fault accident.
- Comprehensive and Collision: Also known as full coverage insurance, these two coverages pay for damage to your motorcycle. Collision coverage is for your bike if you hit another vehicle or a stationary object. Comprehensive covers your motorcycle in the event of non-accident damages, including fire, theft, flooding and other hazards.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): This coverage pays to fix your motorcycle or cover your injuries if you are hit by someone uninsured or underinsured.
- Accessory or Optional Equipment Coverage: This coverage will pay for damages to your motorcycle accessories like your helmet, customized features on your motorcycle and crash bars.
- Roadside assistance: This coverage is designed to help if your motorcycle breaks down, you need a tow, you have a flat tire or a dead battery.
- 2
Compare quotes.
Get quotes from several companies to ensure you are getting the best possible rate for your motorcycle insurance. Getting a quote from multiple companies can help instill confidence that you aren’t paying more than necessary for your insurance coverage, but it is essential to do your research when choosing a policy. Just because a policy is the most affordable doesn’t mean it is necessarily right for you, so make sure you compare the same coverage from company to company and that you trust the insurance company to meet your needs in the event of a claim.
- 3
Make sure you choose the right policy for you.
Not every insurance policy is created equal. Each insurance company has a specific target market, which means you will want to consider your needs carefully when choosing a policy. For example, USAA is designed specifically for military members, while Harley-Davidson coverage is designed specifically for Harley-Davidson owners. Be sure to consider all your options, but keep in mind that finding the company that considers you their ideal customer base can go a long way toward making sure you are happy with your motorcycle coverage.
Best Rated Motorcycle Insurance: Bottom Line
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.
Best Insurance For Motorcycle: FAQ
Below we answer frequently asked questions in relation to the best motorcycle insurance:
Which company has the best motorcycle insurance coverage?
That depends on what coverage you need. While our research indicates that Progressive offers the best, most affordable motorcycle insurance coverage, you may find another company that is better for you based on your needs.
Which company has the best motorcycle rates?
Progressive has the lowest overall rates across a variety of motorcycle insurance coverage levels. However, Shelter and Geico offer excellent rates as well. And some riders may find that the discounts available through Dairyland or Markel make it worth it to opt for a policy with them instead.
Do you need motorcycle insurance?
While Florida, Montana and Washington don’t have laws requiring motorcycle insurance, we strongly recommend you at least have liability coverage in place no matter what the law requires. Whether or not insurance is required doesn’t change the fact that you will be held liable for bodily injury and property damage caused in an at-fault accident.
What coverages are best to choose for motorcycle insurance?
We recommend full coverage motorcycle insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage and liability coverage of at least 50/100/25 or, preferably, 100/300/100. Riders with motorcycles that have been paid off or lower-value bikes like mopeds may choose to carry liability-only policies.
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How We Chose The Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies
We investigated rates for all ages of drivers and driver profiles and companies using the following rating scale:
- Affordability (60% of Score): This score is used to judge overall affordability for both minimum and full coverage regardless of driver profile or your vehicle. Discount opportunities wer also taken into account for this rating.
- Customer Experience (25% of Score): In this factor investigation we sifted through review sites, industry studies like J.D. Power's and forums to get a sense of overall customer sentiment.
- Coverage (15%): We considered the selection of add-on or alternative coverage options for this rating in addition to the variety of bikes that can be covered by a company.
About Rachael Brennan
Rachael Brennan is a licensed insurance agent with over a decade of experience in the industry. 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.
sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts+Statistics: Motorcycle Crashes." Accessed December 10, 2024.
- Council on Foreign Relations. "Demographics of the U.S. Military." Accessed December 10, 2024.
- J.D. Power. "2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study." Accessed April 23, 2025.