Motorcycle Insurance Coverages
Explore what each type of coverage protects
Click to learn more about the individual coverage types
Motorcycle Insurance General Information
A motorcycle insurance policy typically includes a combination of mandatory and optional coverages to protect the rider, the bike, and others on the road. These policies are designed to help cover medical bills, repair costs, and legal expenses in the event of an accident. Whether you're cruising on a weekend ride or commuting daily, the right coverage ensures peace of mind and financial protection.
Liability Insurance
Liability coverage is one of the most important components of an motorcycle insurance policy, and it’s required in nearly every state. It protects you financially if you’re found responsible for causing an accident that results in injury to others or damage to their property. Without liability insurance, you could be personally responsible for medical bills, vehicle repairs, legal fees, and other associated costs, which can be financially devastating.
Auto liability coverage is typically split into two parts: Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. Bodily Injury Liability helps cover the medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering of the other party if you cause an accident. Property Damage Liability pays for repairs to someone else’s car, building, or any other physical property you damage in a covered event.
While each state sets its own minimum coverage requirements, many drivers choose to carry limits higher than the minimums to ensure better financial protection. Accidents can be unpredictable, and the costs can quickly exceed minimum coverage limits. By carrying higher liability limits, you reduce your risk of having to pay out of pocket in the event of a serious accident. START A QUOTE⮕
Uninsured Motorist
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) is designed to protect you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have any auto insurance. Even though most states require drivers to carry liability insurance, many still operate vehicles without coverage, leaving others at risk. UM steps in to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver can’t.
There’s also Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM), which provides protection when the other driver does have insurance, but not enough to cover the full cost of your injuries or property damage. In serious accidents, medical bills and repair costs can quickly exceed basic liability limits. UIM helps bridge that gap, giving you added financial security.
Together, UM and UIM ensure that you’re not left paying the price for someone else’s lack of coverage. These coverages are especially valuable in hit-and-run scenarios, where the at-fault driver can’t be identified. In many states, this protection can be added to your policy for a relatively low cost, making it a smart investment for peace of mind. START A QUOTE⮕
Medical Payments (Medpay) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Medical Payments (MedPay) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) are both optional motorcycle insurance coverages that help pay for medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. MedPay is generally more limited in scope but is available in most states. It typically covers hospital bills, ambulance fees, surgery, x-rays, and even funeral expenses for the insured rider and their passenger. It’s a useful add-on, especially for riders who may not have strong health insurance or want extra financial support for out-of-pocket costs.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) goes a step further and is more comprehensive than MedPay. PIP not only pays for medical expenses but may also cover lost wages, rehabilitation costs, essential services (like childcare or housekeeping), and funeral expenses. However, PIP is only available in certain states, primarily those with no-fault insurance laws, and in many of those states, motorcycles may be excluded or treated differently under PIP rules. Riders should always check with their insurer to confirm eligibility.
For motorcycle owners, having either MedPay or PIP can provide critical financial support after an accident, especially considering the higher risk of injury compared to driving a car. Even if you have health insurance, these coverages can help pay deductibles, co-pays, or costs that your health plan may not fully cover. Given how quickly medical bills can add up, MedPay or PIP can be a valuable layer of protection. START A QUOTE⮕
Collision Coverage
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Collision coverage protects your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident involving another car or an object, such as a tree, guardrail, or building. This coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car, regardless of who is at fault. It’s especially important if you have a newer or more valuable vehicle, as repairs can be costly.
Collision coverage typically comes with a deductible—the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible usually lowers your premium but means more upfront costs if you file a claim. This coverage ensures that unexpected collisions don’t leave you with a big repair bill or force you to pay cash to replace your car. START A QUOTE⮕
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from damage caused by events other than collisions. This includes incidents like theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters (such as hail or floods), falling objects, and animal collisions. Essentially, it covers many risks that are out of your control and not related to a crash with another vehicle.
Like collision coverage, comprehensive typically has a deductible you must pay before the insurance covers the rest. It’s especially valuable for drivers who park their cars outside or in areas prone to storms or theft. Adding comprehensive coverage gives you peace of mind knowing that a wide range of potential damages won’t result in costly repairs or a total loss without financial help. START A QUOTE⮕
Towing and Labor
Towing and Labor coverage is an optional add-on to your auto insurance that helps cover the costs if your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck. This coverage pays for services like towing your car to a repair shop, jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, or delivering fuel if you run out on the road.
It’s especially useful if you travel frequently or drive in areas where roadside assistance might be hard to access quickly. Instead of paying out of pocket for these unexpected expenses, towing and labor coverage provides peace of mind and convenience, helping you get back on the road faster without extra hassle or cost. START A QUOTE⮕
Trip Interuption Coverage
Trip Interruption Coverage is an optional feature in many motorcycle insurance policies that provides financial assistance if your trip is unexpectedly cut short due to a covered breakdown or accident far from home. Typically, this coverage activates if you’re more than a set distance (often 100 miles) away from your residence and your motorcycle becomes inoperable. It helps reimburse you for expenses like lodging, meals, and alternate transportation while your bike is being repaired.
This coverage is especially useful for riders who enjoy long-distance trips or motorcycle touring. Being stranded in an unfamiliar place can be both stressful and expensive, and Trip Interruption Coverage offers peace of mind by easing the financial burden of unexpected delays. It ensures that a mechanical failure or accident doesn’t completely derail your travel plans or leave you out-of-pocket for basic needs.
While not always included in standard policies, Trip Interruption Coverage is generally affordable to add and can be well worth it for frequent travelers. Riders should review the terms with their insurer, including daily limits, total reimbursement caps, and the specific distance-from-home requirement for the coverage to apply. START A QUOTE⮕
Accessories and Custom Parts Coverage
Accessories and Custom Parts Coverage is a valuable add-on for motorcycle insurance that protects aftermarket modifications and non-standard equipment installed on your bike. Standard collision or comprehensive coverage may only protect the factory-issued components of your motorcycle, which means any custom paint jobs, saddlebags, upgraded exhaust systems, chrome parts, or electronic add-ons might not be fully covered unless this optional protection is included.
This coverage typically comes with a base limit—often around $1,000 to $3,000—but many insurers offer the option to increase that limit based on the value of your accessories. It’s particularly important for riders who have invested in customizing their bikes, as replacement or repair costs for these items can add up quickly after an accident, theft, or vandalism.
Even basic gear like helmets, riding jackets, and communication devices can sometimes fall under this coverage, depending on your insurer. To ensure proper protection, it’s a good idea to document your accessories with receipts and photos and review your policy limits regularly to make sure you’re adequately covered. START A QUOTE⮕
