Your guide to motorcycle insurance costs

Your age and gender

Riding experience is a key factor in limiting accidents. Because experience tends to increase with age, motorcycle insurance premiums often start comparatively high for young riders—especially those in their teens and early 20s—and then gradually decrease until riders reach their 70s.

Insurance providers in some states also consider your gender when determining your premiums. That said, the difference in yearly rates between riders who identify as male or female is typically negligible.

Your driving history

Insurance providers review your driving record—your history of accidents, violations and tickets, license suspensions, and other factors—to determine how likely you may be to file a claim in the future. If your driving record is spotless, you’ll likely find cheaper motorcycle insurance rates, all other things being equal.

Motorcycle usage

Do you make your daily commutes on your motorcycle, or are you more of a weekend warrior? The more time you spend on your bike, the more likely you are to eventually experience an accident or other incident and submit a claim. Your rates will probably go up accordingly.

Motorcycle characteristics

• Type: You’ve got a Harley®, but your neighbor down the street rides Hondas exclusively. And your sister-in-law just picked up a new Kawasaki. How will your rates compare? Well, plenty of other factors are involved, but insurance carriers do take motorcycle types—and the theft and crash risk associated with each—into account.
• Value: Expensive motorcycles cost more to repair or replace than cheaper models, which makes them more expensive to insure.
• Safety rating: Motorcycles are assigned safety ratings based on historical data. If your bike has a high safety rating, your premiums will likely be reduced.
• Theft rating: We know the mere mention of motorcycle theft makes you want to skip ahead, but if your motorcycle brand or make experiences a high rate of theft, your rates could go up.
• Engine size: While engine capacity doesn’t typically impact insurance rates as much as other factors, it still matters. Larger engines tend to mean more risk, which in turn can increase your insurance costs.

Location

Do you live in a warm area that allows for year-round riding, or does your bike spend half the year in the garage to protect it from snow and ice? The more frequently you ride, the higher your accident risk. And even though months-long storage can increase your theft risk, it’s outweighed by your lack of road time, so your insurance premiums will typically be lower.

Motorcycle insurance costs by state

Each state establishes its own minimum requirements for motorcycle insurance coverage. The more coverage you’re required to purchase—types of coverage as well as coverage limits—the higher your premiums will generally be.

Motorcycle insurance costs can vary significantly by state. According to ValuePenguin, the national average cost for motorcycle insurance is around $700 per year. But remember, that’s just the average—your state’s average cost could be as low as $382/year (North Dakota), or as high as $1,360/year (California). Talk with your local insurance providers to get a better sense of your state’s average.

Also, keep in mind that motorcycle laws vary by state as well. These laws won’t always directly impact your premiums, but upgrading your bike or your gear to comply with state laws is an expense all the same.

Reduce your motorcycle insurance rates

• Take a rider course: Participating in a riding course demonstrates your commitment to safety. As you can guess, insurance providers appreciate safe riders, and frequently offer discounts for riders who complete these courses.
• Join a rider group: There’s nothing quite like hitting the road with friends. Especially when you could enjoy lower rates just by joining a local group.
• Limit your customizations: Customizing your bike can make it feel truly unique, but be strategic. Some customized equipment isn’t covered by motorcycle insurance—or if it is, it could be more expensive to replace. You could end up with higher rates, or possibly pay out of pocket following an accident.

Money-saving motorcycle insurance discounts

There are plenty of ways to make your motorcycle insurance even more affordable, some of which aren’t even directly related to riding! Give us a call today—you could be eligible for one or more of these Dairyland discounts:

• Multi-cycle
• Home ownership
• Harley Owners Group® (H.O.G.®) member
• Rider group
• Rider safety course
• Transfer
• Loyalty

Save on motorcycle insurance by getting a quote today

Now that you know what to expect as you research motorcycle insurance costs, it’s time to get a quote from Dairyland and see just how much you can start saving today. It’s as simple as picking up the phone or clicking the button below.

We’re committed to helping you find the right motorcycle insurance coverage at the right price. We know there’s a lot to consider, but you’ve got a knowledgeable team on your side.

Till next time, ride safe!