Motorcycle insurance basics

Check your coverage before riding season

Warm weather puts more motorcycles and off-road vehicles on the road, which makes spring a good time to look over your policy and make sure it still fits how and where you ride.

Liability: the part the law requires

Most states require insurance to drive legally, and that usually applies to motorcycles as it does to cars and trucks. The required part is liability coverage up to your state's minimum limits. Bodily injury liability pays claims from people you hurt in a crash you cause, and property damage liability pays for what you damage, like another vehicle or a fence. Think about carrying more than the minimum, since a serious crash can cost far more.

Medical bills for you and your passenger

Rules for injury coverage on a motorcycle vary by state. At least one state insurance department notes that an insurer there does not have to offer personal injury protection (PIP) for a motorcycle even though it must for a car. Medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, can fill that gap: it pays reasonable medical costs, and in some policies funeral costs, for anyone on your bike who is hurt in an accident. Ask your agent what your state requires and what your policy includes.

Protecting the bike itself

Collision coverage pays for damage to your motorcycle when it hits something, like another vehicle or a tree. Comprehensive coverage pays for most other damage, such as theft, fire, flood, vandalism and storms. Neither is usually required by law, but if you financed the bike, the lender will likely require both.

ATVs and other off-road vehicles

A standard auto policy does not cover an ATV, but some companies sell an endorsement that adds it. A homeowners policy may cover an ATV only in part. Ask your agent whether a separate ATV policy makes sense, and check for limits on who may ride it, including age limits.

Common questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules and prices can change; check the sources below for the official details.