Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?

Florida doesn’t require riders to purchase motorcycle insurance. While it’s true that you aren’t legally required to buy a policy, it still makes sense to be insured. Motorcycle insurance can help cover your damages if you get into an accident and limit your financial liability. Insurance also protects you in other states, should you take your bike on a road trip. It's important to note that you will be held financially responsible if charged with negligence in a motorcycle accident.

Unlike other states, Florida doesn't generally require motorcycle insurance. Riders have to register their bikes with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department but don't need to provide proof of insurance as part of that process. 

However, despite not requiring insurance upfront, Florida still holds motorcyclists financially responsible if they're charged with negligence in an accident. This means you could face significant personal liability without proper coverage. 

If you're involved in an accident in Florida, you must still demonstrate financial responsibility. The state requires minimum coverage of $10,000 for bodily injury per person and $20,000 for multiple persons injured in an accident, along with $10,000 in property damage liability. 

There are three ways you can establish proof of financial responsibility:

1. Purchase motorcycle insurance with appropriate liability coverage
2. Obtain a Financial Responsibility Certificate from the Florida Bureau of Motorist Compliance by posting a surety bond with a state-licensed company or depositing cash or securities with the FLHSMV
3. Get a Self-Insurance Certificate by proving you have adequate financial resources to cover potential damages

Even though Florida doesn't require motorcycle insurance, we strongly recommend getting covered. Florida has one of the highest percentages of uninsured drivers in the nation, with recent data showing approximately 20% of Florida drivers operate without insurance—significantly higher than the national average of 14%.

The number of uninsured drivers nationwide has increased in recent years, with 2022 showing the highest rate (14%) since 2008. This trend makes proper coverage even more critical for motorcyclists, who face greater injury risks in accidents. 

MoneyGeek recommends purchasing a full coverage policy with at least 50/100/25 liability limits:

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

These policies help protect you financially by covering:

• Damage to other vehicles and property if you're at fault
• Medical expenses for others involved in the accident
• Your own motorcycle repairs through comprehensive and collision coverage
• Protection against uninsured/underinsured motorists

Similar to full coverage auto insurance, these policies pay for damages to both you and other riders because they include comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision coverage is what covers repair costs to your bike if you get into an at-fault accident. Without collision coverage, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself for any repairs. Comprehensive coverage takes care of non-collision-related damage to your bike, like damage from theft, vandalism or weather hazards.

Liability-only motorcycle insurance is another option for motorists. Like liability car insurance, liability-only motorcycle insurance covers any damages incurred to other riders if you’re at fault in an accident. Without liability coverage, you could be on the hook for extensive medical, legal and vehicle repair bills if you get into a crash. Florida has a minimum insurance requirement of $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability for four-wheel vehicles, but we recommend purchasing a policy with additional liability coverage: 50/100/25 or $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability.

While liability insurance can cover some costs if you get into an accident, MoneyGeek strongly recommends purchasing a full coverage policy since it also pays for your bike's damages.

Because nearly 16% of Florida drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, you could end up having to cover damages even if an accident is not your fault. For this reason, MoneyGeek also recommends purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that will cover costs if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or has a minimum level of coverage.

While motorcycle insurance isn't always required in Florida, there are serious consequences for riders who cause accidents without financial protection. If you're found responsible for a crash without proper coverage, you could face license suspension, registration suspension for up to three years, and substantial civil penalties. 

Additionally, if charged in an accident, Florida law will require you to purchase bodily injury and property damage liability coverage for at least three years following the incident. Without insurance, you'll be personally responsible for all damages, which can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

To register a motorcycle in Florida, you'll need to visit your local county license plate agency. The annual registration fee for most motorcycles is $41.15, making it relatively affordable to keep your bike legally registered. However, if you're registering for the first time without transferring a Florida plate from another vehicle, you'll need to pay a one-time Initial Registration Fee of $225. 

Unlike cars, motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles don't require proof of insurance for registration in Florida. Once registered, you'll receive a metal license plate similar to but smaller than those for cars. This plate must be displayed on your motorcycle at all times when riding.

Florida's helmet laws directly impact insurance requirements for motorcyclists. If you're over 21 years old and choose to ride without a helmet, you must carry insurance with at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage. This requirement remains unchanged in 2025, though enforcement has intensified. 

This medical coverage requirement can be satisfied through either a dedicated motorcycle insurance policy or a qualifying health insurance plan. All riders under 21 must wear helmets regardless of insurance coverage.

Florida's "no-fault" auto insurance law currently requires vehicles with four or more wheels to maintain at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage pays for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. However, this requirement specifically excludes motorcycles since they only have two wheels. 

This distinction creates two significant disadvantages for motorcyclists in Florida: 

1. No PIP coverage for motorcycles: Even if you carry PIP on your car or other four-wheeled vehicle, this coverage won't extend to injuries sustained while riding your motorcycle.
2. Lack of no-fault protection: Since motorcycles are excluded from Florida's no-fault system, injured riders must pursue compensation for medical bills and lost income directly from the at-fault driver rather than receiving automatic coverage through their own policy.

It's worth noting that Florida's legislature is currently considering bills (HB 1181/SB 1256) that would repeal the state's no-fault insurance system entirely. If passed, the law would replace PIP requirements with mandatory bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident, plus $10,000 in property damage liability starting July 2026.

Florida's motor vehicle insurance requirements create an important distinction between cars and motorcycles. The state currently requires vehicles with four or more wheels to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL).

However, the legislature is currently considering bills (HB 1181/SB 1256) that would repeal Florida's no-fault system and require all drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage instead. The proposed requirements would mandate $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage liability starting July 2026.

Despite Florida's lack of mandatory requirements, MoneyGeek strongly recommends the following coverage for all Florida motorcyclists:

Recommended Liability Coverage

• Bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage: $50,000 per accident

Additional Essential Coverages

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Matching your liability limits
• Comprehensive and collision: With $500 or lower deductible
• Medical payments: At least $10,000

With Florida's high percentage of uninsured drivers, uninsured motorist coverage is particularly important as it protects you if you're hit by someone without insurance or in a hit-and-run situation. For riders making payments on their motorcycles, comprehensive and collision coverage will likely be required by your lender.

By securing proper insurance coverage, you protect not only your finances but also ensure you can ride legally without a helmet if you choose to do so.