Touring Motorcycle Insurance
There are many popular Harley-Davidson® touring bikes, but you’ll need insurance no matter what touring motorcycle brand or model you ride.
That’s why Harley-Davidson® Insurance is available for virtually all touring makes and models—even customized motorcycles and motorcycles 25 years and older.
Besides Harley-Davidson® touring bikes, below is a sample of other common touring brands that we insure:
- BMW
- Indian
- Honda
- Yamaha
- Kawasaki
Start your fast, free online quote now and get touring motorcycle insurance for as low as $12.50 per month!
Need more information before starting a quote? With many different insurance policies, it takes time to know where to begin. Plus, the rules per state can make things confusing.
We’ll make sure you know everything about the different insurance plans available to you so that you can choose the best option.
What is a touring bike?
As the name suggests, a touring motorcycle is a motorcycle that has been designed specifically for touring.
While virtually any motorcycle can be used for touring, manufacturers like Harley-Davidson have created specific models to address the needs of touring riders.
Some of the different Harley-Davidson® touring bikes available include:
- Road King®
- Road Glide®
- Street Glide®
- Street Glide® Special
Touring motorcycles commonly have large windshields and fairings that provide weather protection.
The following features also categorize touring bikes:
- A more upright, relaxed seating position
- Engines that have a lot of low-end horsepower
- Large-capacity fuel tanks for long distances between fill-ups
Do you need to insure your touring bike?
Yes, you do need to insure your touring bike. Most states have a legal requirement whereby liability insurance is required at a minimum to use your touring bike lawfully on the road.
What is liability insurance?
Liability insurance means you’re protected if your motorbike is involved in an unforeseen incident that causes an injury to another person or damages to another vehicle.
While this is the minimum requirement, it’s advisable to add optional coverages so you’re better financially protected should anything happen.
Touring bike insurance regulations differ based on your location in the US
Of course, the nuances of the regulations vary depending on the state.
We at Harley-Davidson Insurance can advise you on this and ensure you have the right policy for your needs and location.
Peace of mind with touring bike coverage
Not only is insurance imperative for your legal needs, but it also gives you peace of mind, knowing you’re covered if such an unplanned incident occurs.
After all, touring bikes cost money, and you may have invested even more, so you’ll want to make sure you have good coverage.
Different types of touring bike insurance coverage
As mentioned above, there are different types of touring bike insurance plans. So, let’s take a look at some of our more popular insurance coverage options that can be tailored to your specific touring bike and budget.
Bike replacement cost
With our replacement cost coverage, if your touring motorcycle is written off as a total loss, you can get it replaced—not at the depreciation value.
Comprehensive coverage
Sometimes accidents happen that are not covered under collision coverage. However, you still want to protect your motorcycle from theft, fire, and vandalism.
These are all covered under comprehensive coverage. This allows you to be prepared for the unexpected, irrespective of whether or not you are to blame for the incident. You can have complete peace of mind when going for this option.
Accessories insurance coverage
With some insurance companies, this coverage is titled Optional Equipment.
We know our customers are constantly tinkering with their touring bikes to make extended trips more enjoyable.
Those additional accessories you’ve added to your bike? Not to worry. We offer coverage for that.
Full cost optional equipment replacement
Personalizing your touring bike is very different vs. customizing it to add value.
Harley-Davidson Insurance Services offers "Optional Equipment Replacement Cost" as an added coverage. This covers the total cost for replacing those optional accessories.
How much will it cost to insure your touring bike?
The average motorcycle insurance cost in the United States is $519 per year or $43 per month. Nevertheless, depending on several factors, you could be quoted more or less than this.
Factors influencing touring bike insurance cost
- Age and gender - Like auto insurance, if you’re not experienced on the road, you can expect a higher insurance quote for your touring motorcycle. People are also shocked to discover that gender can also make a difference. According to J.D. Power, their data shows that an 18-year-old female is likely to receive a lower quote than an 18-year-old male.
- Your driving record - Your driving record influences your insurance quote for your touring bike.
- Bike type - The make, model, and type of sport motorcycle you have may impact your insurance cost. The age of your bike also plays a role.
- Your location - Where you reside will have an impact on your motorcycle cost as well.
- Coverage type - The degree of coverage and options you select will influence the cost. The more coverage you have, your sport bike insurance may be more expensive.
- Gender and age - Your quote may also be impacted by the amount of experience you have on the roads - which typically increases with age. According to data from J.D. Power, there’s reason to believe that gender can also have an impact.
- Your driving record - If you have any driving violations and/or accidents on your record, this may influence your motorcycle insurance quote.
Tips when taking out touring bike insurance
How can you ensure you get the best quote and coverage? Here are some tips when getting insurance quotes for your touring bike.
- Pay annually if you can - If you can afford to pay for coverage for the 12 months ahead, it’s good to do so. Most providers will discount those who pay annually instead of monthly.
- Find out whether you’re eligible for any discounts - There are several ways you could potentially lower the cost of your insurance plan. For instance, you could take a motorcycle safety course.
- If anyone else will ride your touring bike, add them to the insurance - You don’t want to get caught for allowing someone to ride your touring bike that’s not covered.
- Always have your bike’s information handy before applying for a quote - It’s vital to have accurate information on the make, model, and year of your bike so that you can get an accurate quotation.
- Be honest about any enhancements or modifications you’ve made to your touring bike - If you have modified your bike’s engine or enhanced your touring motorcycle, disclose this. It could impact your policy. If you haven’t been honest, your insurance could be invalid.
Why pick Harley-Davidson® Insurance for touring bike insurance?
Firstly, let’s make one thing clear; we do insure other brands of motorcycles. Yes, we insure Harley-Davidson® bikes, but we also insure Honda, Kawasaki, and many other brands.
Plus, there are plenty of other reasons why we’re the number one choice for so many:
We offer various discounts
These include military/law enforcement discounts and multi-bike discounts.
We insure motorbike owners in 48 states
The only states we cannot offer insurance currently are Alaska, Washington D.C., and Hawaii. If you reside in any other state, we can insure you, and you will still be covered if you ride in any of these areas.
We provide motorcycle accident forgiveness
One incident doesn’t necessarily drive your insurance costs up.
We have a vast range of coverage options for your motorcycle
This ensures you have the perfect policy for your specific needs.
We acknowledge approved safety courses you’ve taken
If you’ve taken any motorcycle safety courses, this could result in a lower-cost policy for you.
Mistakes to avoid when taking out touring bike insurance
When taking out a touring bike insurance plan, don’t fall into these traps:
- Lying on your insurance application - Don't tell white lies when applying for motorcycle insurance. Your entire policy could be invalid if you’re caught in a lie.
- Setting a deductible you cannot afford - If you make a claim, you must pay your deductible before the insurer covers the rest. While a high deductible may reduce your monthly premiums, you don’t want to set it so high that it creates a financial burden in the event of a mishap.
- Selecting the cheapest insurance plan - We know that you want to keep your costs as low as possible. But if you don’t have adequate insurance, it will only cost you much more in the long run.
- Allowing your current touring bike insurance plan to expire - You should switch to a new plan or organize a renewal before your existing insurance policy ends. If your policy expires, you could commit an offense, depending on your state. Plus, if your policy is not in force for specific days, you could lose your Claim-Free Renewal discount.
Myths about touring bike insurance
- Myth 1 - The color of your touring bike can influence your insurance quote.
- Myth 2 - Your motorcycle insurance quote will not affect your driving record.
- Myth 3 - All you really need is minimal insurance when insuring your touring bike.
- Myth 4 - If you have an unforeseen incident on your motorbike, you’ll be covered by your car insurance.
- Myth 5 - If you’re not going to be riding your motorbike much during the winter months, you should cancel your motorcycle insurance.
If you’re unsure whether or not something you’ve read about touring bike insurance is accurate, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email or call the team at Harley-Davidson Insurance for assistance.
FAQ about touring bike insurance
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Are older touring motorcycles cheaper to insure?
In most cases, yes, because older motorcycles may have less powerful engines and are more affordable to repair. This is likely to lower insurance costs. Highly desirable classics can be more expensive to insure.
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Is a touring motorcycle suitable for beginners?
This answer is highly dependent on the individual's experience and comfort level. Touring motorcycles can be large and heavy and intimidating for beginners.
They also require more skill to handle and maneuver at low speeds. However, if a beginner is comfortable with the size and weight of a touring motorcycle and is willing to take the time to learn how to handle it properly, it can be a suitable choice.
It is recommended to start with a smaller and lighter motorcycle and work your way up to larger and more powerful models.
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Will travel insurance cover riding my motorcycle in the United States?
It depends. While many travel insurance plans cover excursions on touring motorcycles in the United States, there are often restrictions.
For instance, some policies will limit coverage to touring bikes with engines up to 125cc. It's important to check the details of your policy and understand what is and isn't covered.
Additionally, check with your motorcycle insurance policy, as it may cover you while riding your motorcycle in the United States, so you don't need to buy additional coverage.
Also, it's crucial to have a valid motorcycle license and ensure that you comply with the regulations and laws of the state where you're riding your motorcycle.
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What’s the most reliable touring motorcycle?
Some of the most reliable touring motorcycles include the Harley-Davidson® Road King®, Honda Gold Wing, and BMW K 1600 Grand America.
What types of motorcycles are covered with Harley-Davidson insurance
Electric bikes
Powered by electric motors and batteries instead of traditional gasoline engines.
Sport bikes
Commonly referred to as street bikes, these are designed for speed and agility.
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