How we put this guide together: we summarize standard motorcycle policy coverages and insurers’ published terms (Progressive, Harley-Davidson Insurance, Nationwide), with safety data from IIHS. Coverage names and limits vary by insurer and state. See our advertiser disclosure.
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Sponsored listings. Insuretro may be paid if you click a listing; it doesn’t change your price.The main types of motorcycle coverage
| Coverage | What it pays for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Injuries you cause to other people | In most states |
| Property damage liability | Damage you cause to others’ vehicles and property | In most states |
| Collision | Repairs to your bike after a crash, minus your deductible | If you have a loan |
| Comprehensive | Theft, fire, vandalism, storms and animal strikes | If you have a loan |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has too little or no insurance | Required in some states |
| Medical payments or PIP | Medical bills for you (and a passenger) regardless of fault | Required in a few states |
| Accessory / custom parts | Aftermarket parts, saddlebags, custom paint and sometimes gear | Optional |
| Roadside assistance | Towing and help if you break down | Optional |
Why injury cover matters more on a bike
Riders have little protection in a crash. IIHS reports that 6,228 motorcyclists died in US crashes in 2024, 16% of all crash deaths, even though motorcycles are a small share of vehicles on the road. Many states don’t require uninsured motorist or medical cover for motorcycles, and some health plans have high deductibles, so adding these is often worth the modest cost.
Accessory and custom parts cover
Standard policies often cover only factory equipment. If you have added exhausts, seats, saddlebags or custom paint, check your accessory cover. Progressive, for example, includes $3,000 of accessories and custom parts with comprehensive and collision and lets you buy up to $30,000. Some insurers also cover riding gear such as helmets and leathers.
Total-loss replacement
A standard policy pays the bike’s actual cash value after a total loss, which falls every year. Some insurers offer more for new bikes: Progressive pays full MSRP minus the deductible for a total loss on a new bike within certain age limits (no more than one model year old on a new policy). Ask how a total loss would be valued before you buy.
Classic and vintage bikes: agreed value
For older collectible bikes, actual cash value can badly undervalue a restored machine. Classic policies use an agreed value set when you buy the policy. Nationwide’s classic motorcycle cover, offered with Hagerty and underwritten by Essentia, is for bikes 25 years or older, uses a guaranteed agreed value, has no fixed mileage limits and covers riding apparel. Classic policies are often cheaper than standard ones because the bikes are ridden less and kept carefully.
Other useful extras
- Trip interruption: pays for food and lodging if you break down far from home. Progressive covers up to $500.
- Carried contents: covers personal items you carry on the bike.
- Disappearing deductible: Progressive cuts the deductible by 25% for each claim-free policy period, down to $0, in many states.
- Enhanced injury protection: extra income and death benefits for the rider.
Helmets and the law
Helmet laws vary widely. IIHS reports that only 17 states and Washington, D.C. require helmets for all riders. In 2024, 89% of motorcyclists killed in states with universal helmet laws were wearing helmets, compared with 52% in states with partial laws and 40% in states with no helmet law. Wearing a helmet doesn’t usually change your premium, but it greatly reduces the risk of a fatal head injury.
Which coverage pays? Common scenarios
| What happens | Which coverage pays |
|---|---|
| You hit another vehicle and the driver is hurt | Bodily injury and property damage liability |
| You crash on a wet road and damage your bike | Collision |
| Your bike is stolen from the street | Comprehensive |
| A hailstorm dents your tank | Comprehensive |
| An uninsured driver hits you and you are injured | Uninsured motorist bodily injury |
| You need an ambulance after a solo crash | Medical payments or PIP |
| Your custom exhaust is damaged in a crash | Collision, up to your accessory limit |
| You break down 300 miles from home | Roadside assistance and trip interruption, if included |
What motorcycle policies usually don’t cover
- Racing and track days: most policies exclude organized racing and timed events.
- Delivery and business use: using your bike for paid deliveries usually needs commercial cover or a specific endorsement.
- Wear and tear: mechanical breakdown, worn tires and maintenance aren’t covered.
- Riders not listed: lending your bike to an unlisted or unlicensed rider can cause problems with a claim.
- Off-road riding: dirt bikes and trail riding may need a separate off-road or powersports policy.
Guest passenger cover
If you carry passengers, check whether your policy includes guest passenger liability, which pays if your passenger is injured in a crash you cause. Some policies include it automatically and some states require it; others offer it as an add-on.
How much coverage should you buy?
- Liability: at least your state minimum, and higher limits (such as 100/300/100) if you have savings or a home to protect.
- Collision and comprehensive: yes if the bike is new, financed or worth more than you could replace from savings.
- Uninsured motorist and medical: strongly consider them, given the injury risk.
- Accessories: enough to cover what you have added.
- Classic bike: an agreed-value policy.
Savings tip: you can often afford better cover by saving elsewhere. A safety course, a license endorsement and comparing the cheapest insurers can free up money for injury protection. See ways to lower your premium.
See also average costs by state and age and the cheapest insurers in your state.
Common questions
What motorcycle insurance is required?
Most states require liability insurance for motorcycles, and some also require uninsured motorist or personal injury protection. Requirements vary by state.
Does motorcycle insurance cover my gear?
Some policies do. Accessory or custom parts cover may include riding gear such as helmets and leathers, depending on the insurer. Check your policy.
What is agreed value motorcycle insurance?
Agreed value cover pays a value you and the insurer set when you buy the policy, rather than depreciated actual cash value. It is common for classic bikes; Nationwide’s classic cover is for bikes 25 years or older.
Does motorcycle insurance cover a passenger?
It depends on the policy. Guest passenger liability pays if your passenger is injured in a crash you cause. Some policies include it automatically, and some states require it.
Sources
- IIHS: Fatality Facts 2024, motorcycles and ATVs (June 2026)
- Progressive: Motorcycle insurance coverages
- Harley-Davidson Insurance: Discounts
- Nationwide: Classic motorcycle insurance
- MoneyGeek: Average cost of motorcycle insurance (Oct 2026)
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.