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As soon as the snow begins to melt around my home, it's time to get the Harley out. In addition to checking the battery and doing other routine maintenance, this is also when I review my insurance coverage. I want to know that my husband and I are protected when we're riding, and that the bike is too. At the same time, I never want to overpay. With that in mind, I reviewed the best motorcycle insurance of 2024, and found some standouts.
Whether you're a dedicated daily bike commuter or a weekend warrior, you want to know that you and your bike are protected while you're on the road. The best motorcycle insurance companies of 2024 offer policies that are easy to understand and provide liability, personal injury, collision, and comprehensive coverage for your motorcycle.
Progressive Motorcycle Insurance
Progressive is a large national insurance provider known for its low rates. It's widely available and convenient, which means if you're shopping for motorcycle insurance you're likely considering Progressive. That's great, since Progressive is our pick for the best motorcycle insurance for seasonal riders. Because of frigid winter temperatures, most American riders are at least somewhat seasonal.
While it might be tempting to cancel your insurance altogether when your bike is off the road, that's not a great idea. If you have a loan, not having insurance might violate the terms. Plus, you want to know your bike is protected in case of incidents that aren't related to riding, like theft or fire. Progressive won't let you cancel your motorcycle insurance for the winter, but you can change your policy at any time. That means you can drop coverage back to the bare-bones essentials for the months when you're much less likely to be on the road, and get fuller coverage for times when you'll be riding more.
Read our Progressive insurance review.
GEICO Motorcyle Insurance
Most Americans are probably familiar with the GEICO Gecko, but that's not the only reason to appreciate this insurance provider. GEICO Insurance is available nationally and has low prices. It's also known for great customer service on auto policies, and it's safe to assume some of that would translate to motorcycle policies too. We love that rates are super low: In fact, a bare-bones policy for a basic bike might only cost $100 annually. At that price, you'd be silly not to have protection.
Your state plays a big role in your motorcycle insurance premiums. Geico is the cheapest motorcycle insurance in 16 states, including California and New York. You'll have to enter your specific information to get a quote, but Geico makes that easy to do online, so you can determine if this company is the cheapest for you.
Finally, GEICO offers discounts to its already low rates, including a 10% discount for completing a safety course and a 20% discount for instructors with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. You can save 10% on each policy if you insure multiple bikes and 5% on your motorcycle insurance if you also get your auto insurance through GEICO.
Read our GEICO insurance review.
Markel Motorcycle Insurance
Although Markel isn't a household name like Geico or Progressive, it's one of the best motorcycle insurance companies, especially if you're insuring more than one bike. For starters, Markel offers a multi-vehicle discount that can take a chunk off your insurance costs. But I'll be clear: Markel is still more expensive than the competitors in many cases.
And yet, Markel provides great value, especially for motorcycle enthusiasts. I particularly appreciate the mechanical breakdown coverage. That will take care of the costs of specific parts that need to be replaced depending on the make, model, and year of your bike. Having that coverage can make all the difference when you're hit with an unexpected mechanic bill that you weren't expecting. If you're keeping more than one bike on the road that savings alone can add up quickly. Long distance riders will also love that Markel provides trailer coverage for trailers that your bike is towing (not trailers that the bike is towed on).
Another perk is Markel's diminishing deductible. For each year that you go without an accident, Markel reduces your deductible by 25%, until it reaches $0. That's on top of the existing safe driver discount. While that benefit is great for solo riders, it can really boost your budget when you consider it over policies for multiple bikes.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Insurance
Harley-Davidson isn't just one of the most beloved bike brands in America; it's also a great option for motorcycle insurance, no matter what type of bike you ride. While Harley-Davidson motorcycle insurance is pricier than some other options, it offers great value, like replacement cost coverage for customizations, rental coverage for when you're riding a rented bike, and roadside assistance specific for motorcycles.
To help you reduce the cost of motorcycle insurance, Harley-Davidson has lots of discount programs. You'll get a discount if you own your home, have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, pay on time, or have a long riding history. There are deductions for time without a claim, completing a safe riding course, insuring a new bike or multiple bikes, and having a Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) membership (which usually costs $29-49 a year). Law enforcement and military members get a discount too.
With all those cuts to the bottom line, Harley-Davidson motorcycle insurance isn't as expensive as it might first appear. Plus, if you're looking for an insurer that understands motorcycles and their riders, you can't go wrong with Harley.
Dairyland Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcycle riding can be risky, so it's understandable if you've been involved in an accident in the past. Unfortunately, accidents, speeding tickets, and other red flags on your driving record can make your insurance rates skyrocket.
Dairyland, while more expensive than other insurers on average, has great rates for people who are classified as high risk drivers or who have less than squeaky-clean driving history. The company is known specifically for serving these clients. So, although their rates skew higher at first glance, you might find that Dairyland is more affordable for your specific circumstances.
Foremost Motorcycle Insurance
If you truly love motorcycles, you know the joy doesn't just come from riding. It also comes from customizing your bike with the perfect low boy seat, ape hanger handlebars, or shiny paint job. While most motorcycle insurance policies don't cover the cost of customizations, Foremost allows you to design a policy that protects all the time, effort and money that you've put into your bike.
Foremost has the coverages you'd typically expect, like liability and collision. But the insurer also offers optional equipment coverage that protects up to $30,000 in customizations. If your bike is getting up there in age, Foremost has a vintage coverage plan for motorcycles that are 25 years old or more. You can also add coverage for your helmet, equipment, and trailer that transports your motorcycle. The cost of all of those items can add up fast, especially for collectors, so it's great to know they're protected in the event of an accident or emergency.
SafeCo Motorcycle Insurance
SafeCo is a major insurance company that offers home, auto, motorcycle insurance, and more. That makes it ideal for bundling your policies and saving a bit of cash. This is the motorcycle insurance policy I purchased. Because I already had home and auto insurance bundled through SafeCo, adding a bike was simple and affordable.
That wasn't the only reason I chose SafeCo. It's one of the only motorcycle insurers that guarantees OEM manufacturer parts on repairs. As a Harley rider I also liked the optional Harley-Davidson Replacement Cost Provision. If you opt into that rider SafeCo will pay the full replacement value for your Harley.
Read our SafeCo insurance review.
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Best Motorcycle Insurance FAQ
No, car insurance does not covers motorcycles. If you're riding, it's important to have another policy in addition to your auto insurance policy.
We've found that the national average for motorcycle insurance is $108 monthly or $1,296 monthly. However, rates vary widely based on the state you live in, the type of insurance you're buying, and your personal information.
While you cannot pause motorcycle insurance during the winter, you can buy a policy that offers a winter layup or "laid up" rider, which lets you drop your coverage down to minimal amounts during the months when you're not riding your bike.
Why You Should Trust Us: Our Expert Panel for the Best Motorcycle Insurance
Although I also shop for motorcycle insurance annually, I'm not an expert. So, I reached out to two insurance professionals to help me with this roundup. They talked to me about what motorcycle owners should consider when finding the best motorcycle insurance for them.
- Greg Heller is an insurance agent, the owner of Maverick Insurance Group, and also a motorcycle enthusiast. He discussed the building block of motorcycle insurance plans, and how he uses insurance to mitigate his risk as a rider.
- John Espenschied, owner of Insurance Brokers Group, discussed what seasonal riders should look for, and how to make sure that your motorcycle insurance policy aligns with what your state law requires.
Our Experts' Advice on Choosing the Best Motorcycle Insurance
It may be tempting to think that you don't need motorcycle insurance or that you can get by with the bare minimum that your state requires. But that's a recipe for disaster, Heller says.
"The bottom line: stuff happens and we never see it coming," he says.
If your bike is financed, you'll likely need a hearty motorcycle insurance policy, with comprehensive, collision and liability coverage. But that level of coverage may not be worth it if you own the bike outright and would just replace it if it were in an accident, he says.
Once you know what coverage type is right for you, consider any requirements.
"Some states require motorcyclists to purchase minimum liability limits, so make sure to double-check the laws in your state before purchasing a policy," Espenschied says.
Finally, consider riders that provide coverage for customizations or equipment.
Motorcycle Insurance Shouldn't Be an Afterthought
No matter your riding habits, it's important to take time to find the policy that's right for you. Don't only think about premium prices, but consider how you'd feel about your insurance coverage if disaster strikes.
"Motorcycle insurance is essential for protecting yourself financially against losses due to accidents or theft," Espenschied says. "Even if you're only riding occasionally during certain times of the year, having proper insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that if something does happen while out on the road, you won't be left with a large financial burden."
Read more about Business Insider's auto insurance methodology.
