Icon CheckLast updated: February 16, 2023

The Best Motorcycle Insurance of 2022

Best discounts, plans, and providers for motorcycle insurance

Best Motorcycle Insurance Overall
Foremost Insurance Logo

With a wide array of coverage for whatever type of bike you have and the support of Farmers, Foremost is a reliable provider designed for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance
Geico Logo

Compared to the national average annual cost for motorcycle insurance ($519), GEICO’s average cost is about $340, even in more expensive locations.1

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Motorcycle insurance works essentially the same way that regular auto insurance does: It covers damages to your vehicle, damages to other people’s property, and injuries in an accident. The process of getting quotes, filing claims, and managing your motorcycle insurance is similar to that of car insurance as well. What is different, however, are the costs, coverage options, and add-ons.

Below we’ll look at motorcycle coverage prices by provider, discounts, bundling options, special offers, and more.

Summary of the Best Motorcycle Insurance

  1. 1.

    Best Motorcycle Insurance Overall: Foremost

  2. 2.

    Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance: Geico

  3. 3.

    Best Liability Motorcycle Insurance: Progressive

  4. 4.

    Best Motorcycle Insurance for Bundling: Nationwide

  5. 5.

    Best Motorcycle Insurance for Harley-Davidsons: Safeco

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance for Motorcycles

Insurance company Foremost GEICO Progressive Nationwide Safeco
Average annual rate N/A $345 $704 $367 N/A
Bundling discount Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Safety course discount Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (within 3 years)
Umbrella insurance No Yes Yes Yes No
J.D. Power customer satisfaction index (Southeast) (out of 1,000)2 Not rated 853 859 858 845
Review & Info Foremost info GEICO review Progressive review Nationwide review Safeco info

Detailed List of the Best Motorcycle Insurance

1. Best Motorcycle Insurance Overall - Foremost
Foremost Insurance Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Three convenient plans to choose from
  • Options for rideshare drivers
  • Protection for child safety seats and special parts

Foremost motorcycle insurance was designed for motorcycle enthusiasts who own multiple motorcycle types. It provides coverage for cruisers, dirt bikes, sport bikes, electric bikes, scooters, and trikes. On top of that, Foremost is one of the few providers that offer coverage for vintage and special-edition motorcycles. Its prices vary from state to state and bike to bike, but you can expect to pay around $900 per year on average.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People who own vintage or special-edition motorbikes
  • pro
    Riders who have motorcycle endorsements on their licenses
  • pro
    People who are insured with Farmers
  • pro
    People who want to bundle multiple vehicles
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Anyone living in Massachusetts or Hawaii
  • con
    People looking for the most affordable option

DID YOU KNOW?

Roughly 10 percent of homeowners own at least one motorcycle3.

Package Coverage Add-ons

Foremost offers three optional coverage packages to give you extra coverage for any unique needs you may have on the road:

Add-on plan Saver Plus Elite
Helmet and safety apparel coverage Yes, up to $500 Yes, up to $1,500 Yes, up to, $2,500
Available optional equipment (ACV) Yes Yes Yes
Optional towing and roadside assistance Yes Yes Yes
First accident forgiveness Yes Yes Yes
2-year total loss settlement No Yes Yes
Trip interruption No Yes Yes
Track day coverage No Yes Yes
Enhanced rental/permissive use rental No No Yes
Diminishing deductible No No Yes
Personal effects at replacement cost No No Yes (up to $2,500)

Unique Insurance Options

Foremost is our top pick for its commitment to providing a wide array of coverage options catered to all motorcycle types. This sentiment is reflected in its unique insurance options that you can integrate with your insurance coverage.

Its four major insurance options are the following:

  • Liability Only: Liability coverage, towing and roadside assistance, and first accident forgiveness
  • Low-Speed & Low-Speed Elite: Insurance for low-speed motorbikes, scooters, and electric vehicles
  • Custom & Custom Elite: Coverage for unique and limited-edition bikes or those with $30,000 or more in optional equipment
  • Vintage & Vintage Elite: Extra protection for vintage and classic motorcycles 25 years or older, as long as bikes are maintained or have been restored to their original condition

FYI

Low-speed motorbike insurance is required in only 24 states4. Speak to a local agent to find out what your state requirements are.

Discounts for Motorcycle Riders

  • Additional $500 in medical payments coverage for wearing a helmet
  • Safety equipment discount
  • $500 comprehensive deductible waiver for installing a theft recovery device
  • Safe rider discount for completing motorcycle defensive driving and safety courses
  • Discount if you belong to an affinity organization, such as AARP
  • Motorcycle endorsement discount
  • Multi-policy discount, including any insurance policy you already have with Farmers
  • Multi-bike discount
  • Policy renewal discount

TIP:

Even within a single state, the average cost of motorcycle insurance can vary widely based on what city you’re in. Speak to an agent to find the most accurate price for your location.

2. Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance - Geico

What We Like Most:

  • Discounts for military and government employees
  • Good for all driving records
  • Repair estimates straight from the mobile app

GEICO is known as being one of the cheapest insurance providers for cars, and that title holds up for motorcycles as well. Motorcycle insurance policies are some of the most volatile in terms of pricing, making it hard to get an accurate estimate without seeking a quote for yourself. GEICO, however, offers motorcycle policies for around $340 annually. With several discounts, bundling options, and the backing of one of the country’s largest providers, GEICO is a great choice if you’re looking for affordable coverage.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People looking for low motorcycle insurance rates
  • pro
    Riders over the age of 25
  • pro
    People who like mobile-friendly insurance policie
  • pro
    Riders with accessories, such as a nonstock sidecar or trike conversion kit
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
  • con
    Owners of vintage or specialty edition motorcycles
  • con
    People who want gap insurance

Rates You Can Afford

It’s important to note that insurance coverage will vary from person to person and state to state depending on your demographics, location, the number of accidents in your area, instances of theft in your area, the chance of natural disasters, and much more.

Even with that in mind, GEICO has maintained its reputation for being one of the cheapest providers of motorcycle insurance. In New York, for example, GEICO’s costs are lower than those of its competitors:

Provider Average annual cost of motorcycle insurance in New York
GEICO $345
Nationwide $367
Progressive $704
Markel $861

Mobile-Friendly Account Management

The GEICO mobile app has a rating of 4.8 in the Apple App Store and a 4.7 in Google Play. It makes managing your motorcycle plan easier by allowing you to do the following:

  • Upload photos of damages from an accident and receive an estimate on the cost of repairs
  • Request roadside assistance
  • Chat with agents
  • Keep track of your billing details
  • Get a digital ID card for proof of insurance
  • Find the lowest gas prices near you
  • Pay your premium
  • Change your coverage and limits

Pay at Your Own Pace

GEICO offers more payment options and flexibility by allowing you to manage your bills at your own pace. While GEICO doesn’t offer any pay-in-full discounts, it is more expensive to pay monthly or over more payment periods because GEICO charges installment fees with each payment plan. You can choose between the following payment plans:

  • All at once
  • Monthly installments
  • Four-month installments
  • Six-month installments
  • Nine-month installments
3. Best Liability Motorcycle Insurance - Progressive

What We Like Most:

  • Save up to 12 percent for insuring multiple cars
  • Coverage available for teen drivers and their parents
  • Rates 25 percent lower than the national average

Progressive is an industry leader for both car insurance and motorcycle insurance. Progressive offers liability-only motorcycle insurance for as little as $75 per year. You can also get unique add-ons, customized motorcycle coverages, and benefits that come with every plan, including total loss coverage, a $500 transportation/accommodation allowance if your bike breaks down, and no depreciation for bike parts.

Add a long list of discounts and an A+ Superior rating from AM Best, and you have one of the most reliable and affordable options for motorcycle insurance5.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Riders looking for affordable liability coverage
  • pro
    People who want to bundle their ATVs and UTVs
  • pro
    Low-risk riders
  • pro
    Riders with a lot of equipment upgrades to their bikes, like custom-stitched seats or light kits
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Unsafe riders
  • con
    Young riders

Affordable Liability Policies

Progressive has some of the most affordable rates for liability coverage. In fact, you can get motorcycle liability insurance for as little as $75 per year depending on your motorcycle type, demographics, and location. On average, expect to pay around $205 per year for minimum liability coverage with Progressive. All policies, including minimum liability, come with the following:

  • Full replacement cost and no-cost depreciation for parts
  • $3,000 in coverage for accessories and custom parts/equipment (or up to $30,000 if you want to add extra coverage)
  • Guaranteed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts for repairs

Extra Coverage

Whether you have a liability policy, full coverage, or a custom policy, you may want some niche coverage features for your bike. Progressive offers some of the most popular optional motorcycle insurance coverage available to customers, which includes the following:

  • Total loss coverage for a motorcycle up to two years old
  • Roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage if your bike is disabled anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
  • Carried contents coverage, which covers personal belongings (phones, hunting gear, etc.) if they’re damaged due to a covered loss
  • Enhanced injury protection, which grants you up to $250 every week for two years if you’re injured in an accident and can’t work

Robust Discounts

Progressive has a long list of discounts that can help make your motorcycle coverage more affordable. While Progressive will integrate discounts into your quotes based on the information you provide, you should ask your agent about any additional discounts you may be eligible for.

Some of Progressive’s most notable discounts include the following:

  • Multi-policy discount for your home, car, boat, or RV
  • 25 percent off your deductible for every claim-free period (deductible can reach $0)
  • Harley Owners Group and USAA membership discount
  • Pay-in-full discount
  • Pay-on-time discount
  • Automated billing discount
  • Safety course rider discount
  • Safe driver discount (eligible for those with no accidents or violations in the past three years)

FYI:

USAA memberships are available to active military members, veterans, and military families only.

4. Best Motorcycle Insurance for Bundling - Nationwide

What We Like Most:

  • Discounts for taking a defensive driver course
  • Network of local agents
  • Usage-based insurance program for low-mileage drivers

With an average annual cost of $367, Nationwide is one of the more affordable motorcycle insurance providers on our list. On top of affordable rates and solid discounts, you can bundle your motorcycle with your home, car, and other policies. Finally, Nationwide has strong customer satisfaction (858 J.D. Power rating) and financial strength (A+ AM Best rating) scores.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Riders with multiple Nationwide policies
  • pro
    People with good credit
  • pro
    People over the age of 30
  • pro
    Homeowners
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Anyone living in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Massachusetts
  • con
    High-risk riders

Great Bundling Policies

Nationwide has a long list of bundling options that will simplify the way you manage your insurance. Bundling not only simplifies insurance management by placing all of your policies under one roof, but it also opens up to additional savings. Speak to a Nationwide agent to see what kinds of discounts you may be eligible for.

With Nationwide, you can bundle motorcycle insurance with the following types of insurance:

  • Home
  • Auto
  • Life
  • Boat
  • ATV
  • Snowmobile
  • Scooter

One-on-One Customer Service Program

Nationwide’s On Your Side Review is a unique program that’s available to all Nationwide members. It connects you with a Nationwide insurance professional who will guide you and help you create a strategy based on your insurance needs. You can think of it as a personalized renewal program that aligns your life changes with the best insurance options, discounts, and benefits. On Your Side Review agents will help you do the following:

  • Better understand your policy and benefits
  • Assess whether or not you have adequate coverage for all of your belongings
  • Take advantage of all of the discounts and benefits available to you
  • Determine whether or not recent life changes, such as getting married or buying a home, affect your insurance plans and costs

NOTE:

Some life changes, like retiring or having a child, won’t affect your motorcycle premium unless they change how much you ride.

Vintage Motorcycle and Scooter Insurance

Not all providers offer coverage for vintage bikes, classics, and scooters. With older bikes, your risk goes beyond accidents. You may need replacement parts that are difficult to find and expensive.

Nationwide can get you coverage for vintage bikes and scooters made in 1974 or earlier. Alternatively, you can protect your classic bikes that are 25 years old or older through Nationwide’s partnership with Hagerty.

5. Best Motorcycle Insurance for Harley-Davidsons - Safeco
Safeco Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Average rates are half the national average
  • Customizable coverages and add-ons
  • Backed by Liberty Mutual, ensuring its financial stability

Safeco is a solid option for motorcycle riders who own cruisers (especially Harley-Davidsons), tour bikes, sports bikes, and super-sport bikes. Along with protecting a number of different bikes and vehicle types, it comes with a long list of additional coverage options and features, including rideshare coverage if you bundle your car, gap insurance, and pet insurance, among others. Its replacement coverage is limited to Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which makes Safeco our top pick if you need coverage for a Harley.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People living in one of the following 32 states
  • pro
    People living in one of the following 32 states:
    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maryland
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Utah
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • pro
    Safe riders
  • pro
    People who want gap insurance
  • pro
    Young riders
  • pro
    Owners of homemade and kit bikes
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who have a DUI on their driving record
  • con
    Unsafe riders
  • con
    People who live in Delaware, Hawaii, or Washington D.C. (Safeco does not offer auto insurance in these regions)

Harley-Davidson Replacement Cost Provision

A lot of providers have some form of replacement cost provision if you total your bike and need it replaced. Safeco’s replacement cost program is limited to Harley-Davidson bikes. It will replace your Harley with a similar model if it’s totaled, or it will pay you the actual cash value of your bike in today’s market. This applies only to Harleys that are up to two years old.

Customizable Coverage

Safeco has one of the longest lists of additional coverage options that we’ve seen from any motorcycle insurance provider. On top of liability, comprehensive/collision, and uninsured/underinsured coverage, you have the option to select the following:

  • Accident forgiveness coverage
  • Rideshare coverage
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Gap insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Electronic key replacement
  • Custom equipment coverage

Motorcycle Discounts

Safeco offers a few motorcycle discounts that can help you save on your motorcycle insurance. The rates for these discounts vary from state to state, so be sure to speak with an agent to find out exactly what savings you’re eligible for. Safeco’s four major motorcycle discounts include:

Discount Eligibility
Claims-free discount Safeco offers this discount for riders who have been claims-free for over 12 months in your prior term, including if you went claims-free with a different provider.
Companion policy discount Safeco’s companion policy discount, sometimes referred to as a multi-policy or bundling discount, can earn you savings if you have another policy of any kind with Safeco.
Safety course discount You could be eligible for this discount if you’ve completed an approved safety motorcycle course within the past three years.
Experienced rider discount If you’ve been riding motorbikes for several years, you might be eligible for an experienced rider discount. Safeco even offers discounts if you’ve been riding the same bike for several years.

Methodology

Because motorcycle prices vary widely from state to state and city to city, we looked at direct price comparisons from within regions/states, available discounts, and the most comprehensive coverage options to put this list together. We also looked at available data from trusted sources like J.D. Power and NADAguides to find you the most reliable information and numbers. To find the best coverage options and plans, we considered proprietary data, recognized studies, and expert institutional guidance.

  • Proprietary data: Over the past 20 years, Autoinsurance.com has been collecting millions of data points based on transactions that people make when they sign up for motor vehicle insurance. That data helps us discern what type of customer has had the most success with certain plans and insurance providers. By looking at which companies cater to a specific customer type or demographic, we use a data-driven approach to narrow down which providers offer the best rates for your specific needs and location.
  • Recognized studies: While we use our own proprietary data from the various riders we’ve helped connect to insurance companies, we also use studies from accredited organizations and leaders in the industry. We look at third-party studies from AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, Moody’s, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and S&P Global to gather information on customer satisfaction and financial strength.
  • Expert institutional guidance: We’re fortunate to have the president of insurance services at Centerfield, Autoinsurance.com’s parent company, back our research. Paul Ford has worked in insurance for three decades, with tenures at NetQuote, Bankrate, Datalot, Canadian Access, and other companies. His insider knowledge and expert guidance enable us to provide customers with everything they need to find the perfect plans and get updated on the most important auto insurance information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does motorcycle gap insurance work?

Motorcycle gap insurance will cover what you owe on a motorcycle loan after your provider covers the damages of a total loss, similar to how car gap insurance works.

Do I need full coverage on a motorcycle?

We recommend getting full coverage if you can afford it. With full coverage, you’ll get collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection on top of liability.

Which states require insurance for low-speed motorcycles and scooters?

Low-speed motorcycle and scooter insurance is required in the following locations:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Which states have the cheapest motorcycle insurance costs?

Citations

  1. A Guide To Understanding The Motorcycle Insurance Costs For an 18 Year Old. J.D. Power. (2022).
    https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/shopping-guides/how-much-is-motorcycle-insurance-for-an-18-year-old

  2. Auto Insurance Rate Hikes Erode Price Satisfaction, Drive Surge in Value Shopping, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2022, May).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-us-insurance-shopping-study

  3. U.S. Households with a Motorcycle Climbs to Record 8 Percent in 2018. Motorcycle Industry Council. (2019, Jan). https://www.mic.org/#/newsArticle?articleId=2933

  4. Do you need insurance for a moped? Nationwide. (2022). https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/powersports/articles/do-you-need-insurance-for-a-moped

  5. AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of The Progressive Corporation and Subsidiaries. AM Best. (2022, Jan). hhttps://news.ambest.com/presscontent.aspx?altsrc=3&RefNum=31637&URatingId=-1#:~:text=AM%20Best%20has%20affirmed%20the