Some form of liability motorcycle insurance legally required in 49 states and D.C. except for Florida. However, if you are financing a vehicle, you likely will be required to have higher limits for liability coverage, typically around 100/300/100, in addition to comprehensive and collision insurance.
How Much Motorcycle Insurance Do You Need?
Updated: April 18, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Almost all states require some form of personal liability motorcycle insurance except for Florida who has no requirements for coverage.
We recommend carrying at least 50/100/50 liability motorcycle insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage to have the most peace of mind on the road.
Deciding what motorcycle coverage you need depends on your unique financial situation, the area you live in, and your personal riding habits.
Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance?
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements by State
Motorcycle insurance regulations vary significantly from state to state. For example, motorcycle riders in Arkansas, Delaware and Hawaii must have PIP insurance but are not legally obligated to carry UM/UIM coverage. Connecticut, Illinois and Maine, however, are the exact opposite — UM/UIM is mandatory, and PIP is not. Learn more about specific motorcycle insurance requirements in your state below.
State | Minimum Liability Insurance Required | UM/UIM Liability Insurance Required | PIP/Medpay Insurance Required | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 25/50/25 | None | None | None |
Alaska | 50/100/25 | None | None | None |
Arizona | 25/50/15 | None | None | None |
Arkansas | 25/50/25 | None | None | None |
California | 15/30/5 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Colorado | 25/50/15 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Connecticut | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None | None |
Delaware | 25/50/10 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | 15/30 PIP | None |
District of Columbia | 25/50/10 | 25/50/5 | None | None |
Florida | None | None | None | None |
Georgia | 25/50/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Hawaii | 20/40/10 | None | None | None |
Idaho | 25/50/15 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Illinois | 25/50/20 | $25,000 BI per person | None | None |
Indiana | 25/50/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Iowa | 20/40/15 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Kansas | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None if you sign a PIP rejection form. | None |
Kentucky | 25/50/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None if you sign a PIP rejection form. | $10,000 Pedestrian Coverage |
Louisiana | 15/30/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Maine | 50/100/25 | 50/100 BI | None | None |
Maryland | 30/60/15 | 30/60/15 | None | None |
Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | 20/40 BI | $8,000 PIP per person | None |
Michigan | 50/100/25 | None | None | None |
Minnesota | 30/60/10 | None | None | None |
Mississippi | 25/50/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Missouri | 25/50/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None if you sign a Medpay rejection form. | None |
Montana | 25/50/20 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Nebraska | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None | None |
Nevada | 25/50/20 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
New Hampshire | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | $1,000 Medpay per person | None |
New Jersey | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None | $250,000 Pedestrian PIP |
New Mexico | 25/50/10 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
New York | 25/50/10 | 25/50 BI | None | $50,000 Pedestrian PIP |
North Carolina | 50/100/50 | 50/100/50 | None | None |
North Dakota | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None | None |
Ohio | 25/50/25 | None | None | None |
Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | None | None | None |
Oregon | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None | None |
Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | None | None | $5,000 Pedestrian First-Party Benefits |
Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | None | None | None |
South Carolina | 25/50/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
South Dakota | 25/50/25 | 25/50 BI | None | None |
Tennessee | 25/50/25 | None | None | None |
Texas | 30/60/25 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
Utah | 25/65/15 | None | None | None |
Vermont | 25/50/10 | 50/100/10 | None | None |
Virginia | 50/100/25 | 50/100/25 | None | None |
Washington | 25/50/10 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
West Virginia | 25/50/25 | 25/50/25 | None | None |
Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | 25/50 BI | None | None |
Wyoming | 25/50/20 | None if you sign a UM/UIM rejection form. | None | None |
What Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Do We Recommend?
MoneyGeek recommends 50/100/25 liability coverage and some form of collision and comprehensive insurance for all riders. While motorcycles are less likely to cause major damages to car drivers and their vehicle, the risk of lawsuit is still present, and settlements are typically between $10,000-$100,000 according to current data. So, these limits at minimum are likely to cover you for the worst-case scenario and cover your motorcycle which is much more likely to be totaled or damaged than an automobile.
How To Determine Your Motorcycle Insurance Needs
While we've given our general recommendation for most riders, your personal situation can cause your needs to vary widely. So we've broken down a step by step guide to deciding coverage levels and which insurance to get on your own.
- 1
Know What Coverage Types Are Available To You
Before even beginning to choose a coverage level, you need to understand these standard options that are available to you in addition to common add-ons:
- Liability Insurance: Covers you for medical and property damages you cause to other drivers split into bodily injury per person, per accident and property damage coverage per accident limits.
- Comprehensive Insurance: This covers you for damages to your bike from weather, animals and theft.
- Collision Insurance: Coverage with this plan includes any damages due to collision with moving or stationary objects.
- UM/UIM Coverage: Offers the similar protection to liability coverage and the same limit breakdowns but protects you in the case that a person you get into an accident with is uninsured or underinsured.
- Medpay: Covers you for personal medical damages from an accident.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers you for personal medical damages and lost wages from an accident.
- Roadside assistance: Covers you for towing, fuel delivery, flat tire replacement, battery jumpstarts and lockout services.
- Motorcycle Rider Equipment Coverage: This covers you up to a specified limit for your riding equipment including helmets, gloves and apparel.
- Accessory Coverage: Covers custom or accessory items on your motorcycle up to a specific limit.
- 2
Set a Motorcycle Insurance Cost Limit
Figure out your monthly expenses and income to determine what money you have at a maximum that you can allocate for motorcycle insurance costs. You should also align this decision with any financial goals you have for yourself to ensure they don't contradict.
- 3
Consider Your Vehicle's Value
When determining if you need collision and comprehensive protection, consider the age and overall value of your vehicle. If it is an older model with less value, these coverages are less worthwhile, but for newer vehicles it can help protect your investment if something were to happen.
- 4
Determine Risk Factors In Your Area and For Your Driving Habits
When deciding the appropriate coverage level for your bike, weather patterns, crime and animals in your area are important for deciding whether you need comprehensive coverage. Where you drive and how much you drive, and others that drive your motorcycle also heavily change your risk of collision
- 5
Talk With An Independent Agent
To get a second opinion, it's a good idea to contact an independent agent when you've considered all factors to ensure you're getting a comprehensive picture. These agents don't have a vested interest to just sell you high levels of coverage and are more incentivized to match you with the right coverage and cheapest provider due to their business model.
- 6
Finalize Your Choice and Compare
Once you're comfortable with your coverage choice, compare around with multiple providers apples to apples to get the best deal. We also recommend that you use multiple methods including using inline comparison sites, captive agents, provider websites and independent agents to get your quotes since pricing differs by method.
Do You need Insurance For a Motorcycle?: Bottom Line
In almost all states you will be required to have some form of motorcycle insurance coverage. While we recommend 50/100/50 liability limits with collision and comprehensive insurance, it may not be right for your situation. So we recommend evaluating your own risk profile and finances to find the right coverage at the best price for your situation.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: FAQ
MoneyGeek compiled some of the most commonly asked questions about motorcycle insurance requirements and needs to help you find the right coverage:
If you finance a motorcycle, do you need insurance?
Any time you finance a vehicle — whether it’s a car, truck, van or motorcycle — you’re required by your lender to carry some form of full coverage insurance.
Do you need comprehensive and collision motorcycle insurance?
If you have a loan on your motorcycle, your lender will require you to carry comprehensive and collision insurance. However, you aren’t required to have these coverages if you own your bike outright. Nevertheless, it’s still advisable for anyone who can’t afford to replace their motorcycle out-of-pocket to have full coverage insurance.
Do you need motorcycle insurance in Florida, New York, Washington, or Michigan?
Michigan, Washington and New York have minimum insurance requirements for motorcyclists, so you’re legally obligated to carry insurance in those states. As for the motorcycle insurance requirements in Florida, the state doesn’t legally require that you carry motorcycle insurance, but it’s still necessary if you want to protect yourself financially after an accident.
Do you need a license to get motorcycle insurance?
You are not technically required to have a license to get motorcycle insurance, but you may need some kind of endorsement to ride a bike. In any case, you will pay much higher rates on average than if you had a license.
Do you need proof of insurance to register a motorcycle?
Yes, you need minimum required motorcycle insurance at least for your state to register your bike.
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
- Florida Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles. "Helmet Exemption." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- Insurance Information Institute. "What is Gap Insurance?." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. "Insurance Requirements." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. "Motorcycle Helmet Use In Michigan." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Auto Liability Insurance." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- Office of the Insurance Commissioner Washington State. "Washington State’s Mandatory Auto/Motorcycle Insurance Laws." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements." Accessed November 6, 2024.
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Motorcycle Registrations." Accessed November 6, 2024.