Insurance for Motorcycle Cost: Average Rates & What Drives Them

Motorcycle insurance costs much less than car insurance for most riders, but the range is wide. A rider choosing only the legal minimum pays a fraction of what a rider with collision and comprehensive coverage pays, and the bike, the rider, and the state all move the price further.

The headline range above spans two different products. The low end is a minimum liability policy, which pays for damage and injuries you cause to others. The high end is full coverage, which adds protection for your own bike. Neither is a single national average, so read the range as a floor and a ceiling for a typical rider. This guide is about cost only. A licensed insurance agent can tell you which coverage suits your bike and your loan.

The clearest way to read the headline is to split it into its two parts.

MoneyGeek builds these figures for a 40-year-old rider with no violations insuring a 2018 Honda Rebel 500. A different bike or a younger rider would likely pay more, so treat them as a baseline and not a quote.

State matters because of riding seasons, traffic, theft, and local rules. The states below show the spread for full coverage.

The difference between Rhode Island and Montana is large for the same type of coverage. State minimum liability requirements also vary, so check your state's rules before comparing quotes.

Companies price the same rider differently, and some specialize in motorcycles. AutoInsurance.com lists average full coverage rates for two of them.

These are averages across many riders, not rates you are guaranteed. A company that is cheapest on average may not be cheapest for your age, bike, or state, so get quotes from at least a few insurers.

Several factors usually decide where a rider lands in the range.

• Coverage level. Liability only is the cheapest. Collision and comprehensive raise the price but protect your own bike, and lenders often require them on a financed motorcycle.
• Rider age and experience. Younger and newer riders likely pay more.
• Type of bike. Bike type matters, and larger or higher-performance models may cost more to insure.
• Location. Rates differ widely by state, as the table above shows.
• Driving and claims history. Tickets and accidents raise the price, including those from a car.
• Deductible. A higher deductible lowers the premium but raises your out-of-pocket cost after a claim.

Quotes only compare if they are built the same way. Use the same liability limits, the same deductibles, and the same bike details with each insurer. Ask about discounts such as a rider safety course, multi-vehicle or bundled policies, and lay-up periods for the winter months, which some companies offer. Also ask what accessories and gear are covered, since custom parts can exceed the default limit and may need extra coverage.

Motorcycle policies are usually cheaper than car policies for the same driver. MoneyGeek reports that motorcycle rates run well below auto rates, though the exact gap depends on the profile. If you own both, ask whether insuring them with one company changes the price.