There are really only two reasons you would ever think of motorcycles and insurance at the same time since, well, one is highly exciting, slightly dangerous and can take you places you have never been before and the other is a motorcycle. OK, we agree that insurance is not a terribly interesting subject for most of us not in the industry. However, reason one – of the two – which requires us to discuss it is due to your state government requiring it, so there is no avoiding insurance if you want to stay out of the sights of local law enforcement. The second, and the most significant, is to protect you should something not go according to plan – an accident, theft or vandalism. Having insurance on your bike will ease your mind while out on the road, when one of those aforementioned nasty events occurs, and will actually make parking a less stressful question.

In the United States, there are going to be different insurance requirements for every state, but the basics are usually very similar. You will need, at minimum, liability coverage to protect those around you should you collide with another vehicle, person or object and cause damage. This is where motorcycle ownership has an(other) advantage; for the most part, motorcycle liability insurance is quite inexpensive because the bike is rather small and light compared to the beasts which roam the roads today, thus less damage can be done in most cases. Some states require further coverage for motorcycles, such as personal injury protection, but it varies significantly. Always consult with your agent or insurance provider on the specific rules.

Having more than the basic, or required, insurance on your motorcycle should be something every rider considers thoroughly. Again, due to another unique attribute of motorcycles – they are inexpensive when compared to almost any late-model four-wheeled vehicle – taking your insurance coverage to the upper limit is not vastly expensive for most. The biggest portion of so-called ‘full coverage’ policies will usually be the collision part of the policy. This is where your insurance company will pay for damage to your motorcycle if you are at fault – single vehicle is included here. Since the insurance industry’s own statistics demonstrate that most accident damage occurs due to rider error, you will pay more for this coverage; the veracity of the statistical claim is still being debated.

Comprehensive is very good to have if you live in any part of the country where theft and vandalism are a problem. Crowded cities, constantly changing suburban apartment complexes, and areas located near the Interstate are all locations where a motorcycle is exceptionally vulnerable. This policy will cover you ‘comprehensively’ as its name states, within certain listed limits, of course. It is often required that both comprehensive and collision be purchased at the same time, but this also varies from state to state.

Taking on some of these additional levels of protection will likely increase your insurance premium, so always get an itemized quote first; shop around for a good deal. Being under the protection of an insurance company, even if it is limited, will give you a far better sense of security throughout your ownership of a motorcycle. Considering all we must think about as riders, it is one less worry to occupy your mind.