How we put this guide together: figures come from MoneyGeek (October 2026; 40-year-old rider, clean record, 2023 Honda CRF450RL, full coverage at 100/300/50 with $1,000 deductibles), ValuePenguin (September 2026), Insurify, IIHS and insurers’ own coverage and discount pages. Your quote will differ. See our advertiser disclosure.
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MoneyGeek puts the national average at $141 a year ($12 a month) for minimum liability and $364 a year ($30 a month) for full coverage. ValuePenguin’s September 2026 full-coverage average was $33 a month. Insurify’s quote data is much higher ($81 a month for liability, $179 for full coverage), because it reflects the real mix of riders and bikes shopping for cover, including younger riders and bigger bikes.
State matters too: full coverage ranges from $170 a year in Montana to $565 in Rhode Island in MoneyGeek’s data. See every state in average motorcycle insurance cost.
Cheapest and most expensive states for full coverage
| 10 cheapest states | Full coverage a year | 10 most expensive | Full coverage a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $170 | Rhode Island | $565 |
| Alaska | $200 | New Jersey | $557 |
| North Dakota | $222 | Mississippi | $530 |
| Minnesota | $224 | Missouri | $496 |
| Kansas | $231 | West Virginia | $490 |
| South Dakota | $237 | Nevada | $485 |
| Iowa | $238 | Texas | $472 |
| Wyoming | $247 | Delaware | $466 |
| Alabama | $273 | Louisiana | $459 |
| New York | $282 | Michigan | $456 |
Source: MoneyGeek, October 2026 (40-year-old rider, clean record). Every state is in our state-by-state guide.
What drives the price
- Age and experience. Full coverage averages $1,446 at 16, $820 at 25 and $571 at 40 (MoneyGeek).
- Type of bike. Sport bikes cost the most to insure. MoneyGeek’s 1,000cc sport bike example cost $3,948 a year for full coverage. Standard bikes under 500cc usually cost the least, and touring bikes with costly accessories cost more.
- Riding record. Tickets and at-fault crashes raise prices for several years.
- License endorsement. MoneyGeek found Progressive charged 12% more for full coverage when riders lacked a motorcycle endorsement.
- Where you ride and store the bike. Urban ZIP codes with more theft and traffic usually cost more.
Which companies tend to be cheapest
In ValuePenguin’s 2026 comparison of seven insurers, Dairyland ($22 a month), Progressive ($23) and Harley-Davidson Insurance ($24) were cheapest for full coverage. Progressive was cheapest in 23 states, Dairyland in 18 and Harley-Davidson in 9. See the full list and every state in our cheapest motorcycle insurance guide.
Savings tip: a motorcycle safety course is one of the cheapest ways to lower your premium. Many insurers discount riders who complete one, and Harley-Davidson Insurance lists a discount for its Riding Academy or a safety course taken in the last five years.
Minimum vs. full coverage
Most states require motorcycle liability insurance (a few have exceptions or alternatives). Liability pays for injuries and damage you cause to others, but nothing for your own bike or your own injuries. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive, which repair or replace your bike after a crash, theft, fire or storm. If you have a loan on the bike, the lender will require full coverage. Our coverage guide explains every option, including accessory cover and agreed-value cover for classic bikes.
Why good coverage matters on a motorcycle
Riders are far more exposed than drivers. IIHS reports that 6,228 motorcyclists died in US crashes in 2024, 16% of all crash deaths, and up 23% from 2019. Medical costs after a crash can be large, so uninsured/underinsured motorist cover and medical payments cover are worth considering even if your state doesn’t require them.
Insurance for new riders
New and young riders pay the most, so a few choices make a big difference: start on a smaller standard bike rather than a sport bike, take an approved safety course, get your motorcycle endorsement before you insure the bike, and compare several insurers, including those that specialize in higher-risk riders. As your experience grows and your record stays clean, prices fall quickly: MoneyGeek’s full-coverage average drops from $1,446 at 16 to $820 at 25.
How a motorcycle claim works
- Get to safety and get medical help if anyone is hurt; call the police for serious crashes.
- Collect details: the other driver’s name, insurer and policy number, witnesses and photos of the scene and damage.
- Report the claim to your insurer promptly.
- Have the bike inspected. Ask whether custom parts and gear are covered under your accessory cover.
- Get paid, minus your deductible. If the other driver was at fault, their insurer should pay, or your uninsured motorist cover can step in if they have none.
Carrying a passenger
If you ride two-up, check how your policy covers passengers. Some policies include guest passenger liability, which pays if your passenger is injured, and some states require it. Medical payments cover can also help pay a passenger’s medical bills regardless of fault.
Where the savings are
| Move | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Compare three or more insurers | Average full coverage ranged from $22 to $54 a month across companies in ValuePenguin’s study |
| Take a safety course | Widely discounted; also cuts crash risk |
| Get your motorcycle endorsement | Riders without one can pay more |
| Bundle with auto or home | Multi-policy discounts at most insurers |
| Lay up the bike in winter | Some insurers let you reduce cover while the bike is stored |
| Choose a cheaper-to-insure bike | Sport bikes cost many times more than standard bikes |
More ideas in ways to lower your motorcycle insurance.
Common questions
How much is motorcycle insurance a month?
About $12 a month for minimum cover and $30 a month for full coverage for a 40-year-old rider with a clean record, according to MoneyGeek’s October 2026 data. Young riders and sport bikes pay much more.
Which company has the cheapest motorcycle insurance?
In ValuePenguin’s September 2026 study, Dairyland was cheapest at $22 a month for full coverage, followed by Progressive ($23) and Harley-Davidson Insurance ($24).
Is motorcycle insurance required?
Most states require motorcycle liability insurance. Requirements and exceptions vary, so check your state’s rules.
Sources
- MoneyGeek: Average cost of motorcycle insurance (Oct 2026)
- ValuePenguin: Cheap motorcycle insurance (Sept 2026)
- Insurify: Motorcycle insurance quotes (Feb 2026)
- IIHS: Fatality Facts 2024, motorcycles and ATVs (June 2026)
- Harley-Davidson Insurance: Discounts
Prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state and driver. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.