Insurance Curator Motorcycle insurance in the United States varies widely by state, rider profile, bike type and coverage selected. This guide breaks down the core coverages—liability, comprehensive/collision, and custom parts & equipment (CPE)—and gives real-world pricing examples, insurer options, and state-specific considerations so you can choose the best policy for your bike in the USA.
At-a-glance: What riders must know
- Liability covers damage and injury you cause to others — legally required in most states.
- Comprehensive & collision protect your bike from theft, non-collision loss (comprehensive), and crashes (collision).
- Custom Parts & Equipment (CPE) or agreed-value endorsements protect aftermarket parts, custom paint, and modifications often not fully covered under standard policies.
- Costs depend on state, bike type, driving history and insurer. Expect wide ranges: liability-only: $200–$800/year; full coverage: $600–$2,000+/year; CPE add-ons: $100–$800/year depending on declared value and parts.
Sources for market and pricing context: ValuePenguin, NerdWallet, Bankrate (see References).
1. Liability Insurance — the legal baseline (and cheapest option)
What it covers
- Bodily injury (BI) to others
- Property damage (PD) you cause to others
Why it matters
- Required minimums in almost every state (amounts vary). Minimums may be insufficient for serious crash costs, so higher limits are often advisable.
Typical costs (examples by state)
- Texas: liability-only annual quotes often start around $250–$500/year for a mid-size cruiser with a clean record.
- California: liability-only can be $300–$600/year depending on metro area.
- New York: tends to be higher — $400–$800/year for similar riders.
Tip: Opt for higher limits (e.g., 100/300/100) if you ride in dense traffic or have significant assets. A low-cost liability policy can expose you to uninsured claims above the policy limit.
2. Comprehensive & Collision — for full protection
What they cover
- Collision: damage from a crash (with another vehicle, object, or single-vehicle incident).
- Comprehensive: theft, vandalism, flood, fire, falling objects, hitting an animal.
When you need it
- If your bike is financed or leased (lender requires it).
- If replacement/repair cost would be a financial burden.
Typical costs
- Full-coverage policies (liability + comp + collision) commonly range $600–$1,800/year nationwide. Performance bikes and young riders push premiums higher.
- For example, a 2018 Harley Softail owner in Florida might pay $900–$1,500/year for full coverage; a commuter 500–700cc in the Midwest might be $600–$1,000/year.
Deductibles and how they affect premium
- Common deductibles: $500, $1,000. Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower premiums by roughly 10–30%, depending on insurer and state.
3. Custom Parts & Equipment (CPE) / Agreed Value — protecting mods and classics
Why standard policies fall short
- Factory coverage typically limits repairs to OEM-equivalent parts and depreciated value. Aftermarket exhausts, custom paint, frames, and electronics can be excluded or under-compensated.
Two common solutions
- CPE endorsement: Adds a declared value for aftermarket parts (often with receipts/photos required).
- Agreed-value policy: The insurer and you agree on the bike’s total value; in a total loss you receive that amount without depreciation.
Cost guide
- Basic CPE add-on for modest mods: $100–$300/year for $1,000–$5,000 of declared value.
- Extensive custom bikes (show builds, performance upgrades): $300–$800+/year for $10,000+ declared parts.
- Agreed value increases premiums relative to standard actual-cash-value (ACV) policies — often 5–20% depending on agreed amount and bike.
Documentation tip: Keep receipts, photos and appraisals. Insurers such as Progressive, GEICO and specialty brokers require proof for higher declared values.
4. Comparing real insurers & price signals (examples for USA riders)
Below is a representative comparison — actual quotes vary by ZIP, bike, age and history. These sample ranges are drawn from public insurer rate pages and market surveys.
| Insurer | Sample liability-only (annual) | Sample full coverage (annual) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $200–$500 | $600–$1,300 | Strong online discounts; multi-policy savings |
| Progressive | $220–$550 | $650–$1,500 | Custom parts endorsements; Snapshot program for safe riders |
| State Farm | $250–$600 | $700–$1,600 | Local agent network; good for vintage bikes |
| Motorcycle specialty brokers (e.g., Hagerty for classics) | $300–$700 | $800–$2,500+ | Agreed value and CPE for classics and high-value builds |
Sources: insurer product pages and market rate studies. Use insurer quote tools for accurate local pricing.
5. State-specific considerations (examples)
- California: High theft rates in some metro areas increase comprehensive costs; consider CPE if you live in Hollywood/LA and have custom parts.
- Texas: Wide rural vs. urban variance; liability tends to be more affordable in non-metro ZIPs.
- Florida: Higher rates for full-coverage due to theft and weather-related claims.
- New York: Among the higher-cost states for motorcycle coverage; liability minimums and court judgments can push recommended limits upward.
For state-by-state averages and comparisons, see market analyses: ValuePenguin’s state-by-state motorcycle insurance cost study and NerdWallet’s nationwide overviews (References).
6. How to choose the right policy (step-by-step)
- Inventory & value your bike: VIN, engine size, aftermarket parts, receipts, appraisals.
- Decide required coverage:
- Legal minimum? Only liability.
- Financed/expensive bike? Full coverage + agreed value.
- Custom parts? CPE endorsement or specialist insurer.
- Request multiple quotes: Use at least three — include one national insurer and one specialty broker.
- Ask about discounts:
- Multi-policy (home + bike)
- Multi-bike
- Safety course/completion (MSF)
- Low-mileage/seasonal storage (lay-up policies)
- Check exclusions: Track day exclusions are common — get a specific track-day or race policy if you ride the track.
- Document everything for CPE/Agreed Value.
See related guidance on lowering premiums and specialty needs:
7. When to use a specialist insurer or broker
Choose specialty insurers or brokers when:
- You have a high-value custom bike or collector motorcycle.
- You want agreed-value protection or show/builder coverage.
- You need CPE limits higher than standard endorsements.
Recommended reading for custom builds and specialist comparisons:
- Best Insurance For Motorcycles With Custom Mods: Insuring Upgrades, Frames and Specialty Parts
- Best Insurance For Motorcycles by Provider: Progressive, GEICO and Specialist Insurers Compared
Quick checklist before you buy
- Verify state minimums and consider higher limits.
- Get full inventory and receipts for mods.
- Compare liability-only vs. full coverage scenarios with replacement-cost math.
- Ask insurers about track-day exclusions and seasonal storage/lay-up credits.
- Lock in agreed value for classics or heavily modified bikes.
References
- ValuePenguin — "Average motorcycle insurance cost by state" (data and state comparisons): https://www.valuepenguin.com/motorcycle-insurance-cost-by-state
- NerdWallet — "How much does motorcycle insurance cost?" (national averages, factors affecting rates): https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/motorcycle-insurance-cost
- Bankrate — "Motorcycle insurance costs" and buying tips (premium ranges, deductibles): https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/motorcycle/how-much-is-motorcycle-insurance/