Cruising down the open highway on your motorcycle is exhilarating, but freedom comes with responsibility. Protecting yourself financially in case of an accident is crucial. This guide will steer you toward the best motorcycle insurance companies, ensuring you get the coverage you need without breaking the bank.
Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies
Finding the best motorcycle insurance company depends on your individual needs and priorities. Here are some factors to consider:
- Coverage: What type of coverage do you need? Liability, comprehensive, or collision?
- Price: How much are you willing to pay for insurance?
- Customer service: How easy is it to file a claim and get help from the insurance company?
- Discounts: Are there any discounts available, such as for completing a motorcycle safety course or having a good driving record?
Here are some of the top-rated motorcycle insurance companies in the United States according to customer reviews and industry ratings:
Progressive: Coverage Options and Discounts
Progressive is the number one motorcycle insurer in America, and they offer a variety of coverage options to fit your needs. With Progressive, you can customize your policy to include the following:
- Liability coverage: This pays for injuries and property damage that you cause to others in an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: This pays for damage to your motorcycle from theft, vandalism, fire, and other covered perils.
- Collision coverage: This pays for damage to your motorcycle from a collision with another vehicle or object.
- Medical payments coverage: This pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of fault.
- Roadside assistance can help if you get a flat tyre, run out of gas, or need a tow truck.
Progressive also offers several discounts for motorcycle insurance, such as:
- Multi-policy discount: If you insure your motorcycle and another vehicle with Progressive, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Safety course completion discount: If you take a motorcycle safety course, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Loyalty discount: If you have been a Progressive customer for a long time, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Accident-free discount: If you have not had any accidents in a certain time, you may be eligible for a discount.
Geico: Best For Competitive Rates
GEICO is a well-known insurance company that offers motorcycle insurance. They are known for their competitive rates and customer service. Here are some of the things to consider about GEICO motorcycle insurance:
- Coverage: GEICO offers a variety of coverage options to fit your needs, including liability, comprehensive, collision, medical payments, and roadside assistance. You can customize your policy to get the coverage you need at an affordable price.
- Discounts: GEICO offers several discounts for motorcycle insurance, such as multi-policy discounts, safety course completion discounts, and military discounts.
- Customer Service: GEICO is known for its excellent customer service. Its team of licensed insurance agents can help you choose the right coverage for your needs and answer any questions you may have. They are available 24/7 by phone, online chat, or in person at a local office.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when shopping for motorcycle insurance:
- Get quotes from multiple companies: Don’t just go with the first company you get a quote from. Be sure to shop around and compare rates from multiple insurers before making a decision.
- Consider your coverage needs: Think about the type of coverage you need and how much coverage is right for you.
- Ask about discounts: Be sure to ask about any discounts that you may be eligible for.
- Read the fine print: Before you buy a policy, be sure to read the fine print and understand what is and is not covered.
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson offers its own motorcycle insurance program alongside other providers. Here’s what to know about Harley-Davidson motorcycle insurance:
Coverage Options:
- Liability Coverage: This covers injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident.
- Comprehensive and Collision: This policy protects your Harley against theft, vandalism, fire, weather events, collision with another object, or a single-vehicle accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): Covers you if the person who hits you doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages.
- Medical Payments: Pays for medical expenses for you and your passenger in an accident, regardless of fault.
- Coverage for Gear: Protects your helmet, clothing, and other riding gear.
- Total Loss Coverage: Pays out the full value of your Harley if it’s totaled in an accident.
- Trip Interruption Coverage: This policy reimburses you for non-refundable trip expenses if your motorcycle breaks down or you’re injured while riding.
- Roadside Assistance: Provides help with flat tires, dead batteries, towing, and other roadside emergencies.
- Guest Passenger Liability: Covers injuries to someone riding on your motorcycle with you.
Benefits of Harley-Davidson Insurance:
- Harley-Davidson Genuine Parts and Accessories: Guarantees repairs are done using genuine Harley parts, which can be important for maintaining your bike’s value and performance.
- H.O.G. Member Discount: Harley Owners Group members can receive a discount on their insurance premiums.
- $1,000 Accessory Coverage Included: Provides coverage for your custom parts and accessories without requiring a separate endorsement.
- Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Discount: Taking a Harley-Davidson safety course can qualify you for a discount.
- Accident Forgiveness: Some programs may offer accident forgiveness, which helps prevent your rates from going up after your first at-fault accident.
State Farm
State Farm is a major insurance provider that offers motorcycle insurance alongside car and other vehicle coverage. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect with State Farm motorcycle insurance:
Coverage Options:
- Bodily Injury/Property Damage Liability: This covers medical bills and property damage you cause to others in an accident, which is mandated by law in most states.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This policy protects your motorcycle against theft, vandalism, fire, weather damage, and other perils not caused by collision.
- Collision Coverage: Pays for repairs to your motorcycle if it collides with another vehicle or object or if you have a single-vehicle accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): Provides coverage if the driver who hits you doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages.
- Medical Payments: Covers medical expenses for you and your passenger in an accident, regardless of fault.
- Protective Gear Coverage: This optional coverage reimburses you for damaged helmets, jackets, gloves, and other riding gear if your motorcycle is stolen or involved in a covered accident (typically included with comprehensive and collision coverage).
- Roadside Assistance: Similar to roadside assistance for cars, this can help with a flat tire, dead battery, towing, and other situations (often included with comprehensive coverage).
State Farm’s Advantages:
- Variety of Coverage Options: You can customize your policy to fit your needs and budget.
- Potential Discounts: State Farm offers discounts for completing motorcycle safety courses, ensuring multiple vehicles, having a good driving record, and being a defensive rider.
- Nationwide Network of Agents: They have a large network of agents who can assist you with getting a quote, making changes to your policy, and filing claims.
Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies for New Riders
Here are some of the best motorcycle insurance companies for new riders based on our sources:
- Harley-Davidson: Harley-Davidson is recommended as one of the best motorcycle insurance companies for new riders. They offer a variety of coverage options tailored to their needs.
- Progressive: Progressive is known for its accident forgiveness benefits on motorcycle insurance policies. This means your rates won’t increase after a small or large claim, which can be beneficial for new riders who are more prone to accidents.
- Foremost: Foremost is another top choice for new riders. It stands out for including accident forgiveness insurance for a first accident with all policies.
- Geico: Geico is also recommended because its policies balance low costs with great coverage.
Top Motorcycle Insurance Companies for Sportbikes
Here are some of the top motorcycle insurance companies for sportbikes according to our sources:
- Geico: Geico is often recommended as one of the best motorcycle insurance companies, known for its affordability.
- Progressive: Progressive is another top choice, especially for seasonal riders. They also offer excellent coverage options.
- State Farm: State Farm is recognized for its superior customer service.
- Dairyland: Dairyland is a great option for high-risk riders.
- Erie Insurance: Erie Insurance is a top regional motorcycle insurance provider.
Top Motorcycle Insurance Companies for Cruisers
Here are some of the top motorcycle insurance companies for Cruisers according to our sources:
- Geico: Geico is often recommended as one of the best motorcycle insurance companies, known for its affordability.
- Progressive: Progressive is another top choice, especially for seasonal riders. They also offer excellent coverage options.
- State Farm: State Farm is recognized for its superior customer service.
- Dairyland: Dairyland is a great option for high-risk riders.
- Erie Insurance: Erie Insurance is a top regional motorcycle insurance provider.
Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies for Full Coverage
Here are some of the best motorcycle insurance companies for full coverage according to various sources:
- Geico
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Dairy Land
- Erie Insurance
Best Affordable Motorcycle Insurance Companies
Here are some of the top-rated motorcycle insurance companies known for their affordability and quality of service:
- Geico
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Dairy Land
- Erie Insurance
Why Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance?
Motorcycle accidents can be severe, and medical bills can pile up quickly. Motorcycle insurance offers a safety net, covering:
- Bodily injury liability: Protects you if you injure someone else in an accident.
- Property damage liability: Covers damage to another person’s property caused by your motorcycle.
- Collision coverage: Pays to repair or replace your motorcycle if it’s damaged in a collision.
- Comprehensive coverage: Protects your motorcycle from theft, vandalism, and other non-collision events.
Finding the Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies for You
With a vast array of insurers, choosing the best motorcycle insurance companies can be overwhelming. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Motorcycle type: Different insurers specialize in coverage for specific bikes like sportbikes, cruisers, or touring motorcycles.
- Experience level: Motorcycle insurance for new riders may come with higher premiums, but some companies offer discounts for completing safety courses.
- Coverage needs: Consider your desired level of protection. Motorcycle insurance with full coverage offers the most comprehensive protection, while liability-only coverage offers basic protection at a lower cost.
- Company reputation: Research the motorcycle insurance comparison and read reviews to understand customer experiences and claims settlement processes.
Tips to Get Cheap Motorcycle Insurance
Looking for affordable motorcycle insurance? Here are some ways to save:
- Shop around and compare quotes: Don’t settle for the first offer. Get quotes from multiple companies to find the best rates.
- Maintain a clean driving record: A good driving history translates to lower premiums.
- Take safety courses: Completing motorcycle safety courses can demonstrate your commitment to safe riding and qualify you for discounts.
- Increase your deductible: A higher deductible lowers your premium, but you’ll be responsible for paying more out-of-pocket in the event of a claim.
FAQs
Is motorcycle insurance mandatory?
Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state. In many states, it is mandatory to carry at least minimum liability coverage to ride legally.
What happens if I am found to be at fault in an accident? Will my insurance rates go up?
Yes. At-fault accidents typically lead to increased premiums at renewal time. However, the severity of the increase will depend on your insurance company’s policies and your overall driving record.
What should I do if I need to file a motorcycle insurance claim?
Contact your insurance company immediately to report the accident and initiate the claims process. Be sure to gather all relevant documentation, such as the police report and any medical bills you’ve incurred. It’s also wise to take pictures of the damage to your motorcycle.