Motorcycle Insurance for All Types of Bikes
There are many different types of motorcycles out there. And it's important to get the right kind of insurance for your bike, whether it's a sport bike, cruiser or even a scooter.
The type of insurance coverage you can get will differ from state to state, as will the cost and minimum requirements. Depending on the type of bike and riding you do, the insurance you want may vary as well.
Luckily, Harley-Davidson Insurance has a lot of insurance options for our riders that offer protection for all types of bikes and motorcycles at affordable rates that won't break your wallet.
Our policies cover you from damage on the road and in storage, theft, vandalism, and more.
Here are some of the most popular motorcycle types that we insure:
Cruiser Motorcycle Insurance
Cruisers resemble American bikes from the 1930s to the 1960s, and most have a V-twin engine.
When you're riding a cruiser, you're likely sitting in a relaxed foot-forward position. That's because cruisers have a low seat, wide handlebars, and their foot pegs are near the front of the bike. The cruiser is a popular choice for commuting or leisure riding because its design makes for a comfortable ride. A touring bike may also be better if you plan to ride long distances.
Cruisers are manufactured by European brands (Ducati, Triumph, and more) as well as each of the "Big Four" Japanese brands (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha). Still, the company most associated with cruisers is Harley-Davidson.
The 1971 Harley-Davidson® FX 1200 Super Glide® motorcycle is thought by many to be the first factory-custom cruiser. It would inspire more cruisers to come and proved to be a sales bonanza for Harley-Davidson in the '80s and '90s.
Touring Motorcycle Insurance
If you plan to ride long distances, a touring motorcycle is better than a cruiser or a sport bike.
Touring bikes usually have fairings or windshields, larger fuel tanks, saddlebags, seating for a passenger, engines with a lot of low-end horsepower, and a relaxed, upright riding position.
Here are some of the most popular touring motorcycles we insure*:
- Harley-Davidson® Road Glide®
- Honda Gold Wing
- BMW K 1600
- Kawasaki Vulcan
- Suzuki Boulevard
- Indian Roadmaster
Motorcycle insurance covering a touring bike is a great choice for those who want to ride their bike into the wilderness and explore new places. However, this insurance can be expensive if you don't shop around carefully and compare quotes from different providers.
Sport Bike Insurance
Relative to other bikes, sports bikes can offer less comfort and fuel economy to provide greater speed, acceleration, braking and maneuverability on paved roads.
Although some companies offer less powerful sports bikes, these sorts of motorcycles are typically not recommended for beginners. A sport bike requires a lot of skill and confidence to ride. Sport bikes also aren't ideal for long-distance riding.
Sport bikes tend to have narrow, hard seats. The rider’s feet are often positioned at the motorcycle's rear, forcing the rider to lean forward to reduce drag. A sport bike's greater cornering ability is due to its low center of gravity and low ground clearance. All of this makes sense, considering that sport bikes are built for racing.
Common sport, street and high-performance bikes we insure*:
- Honda CBR
- Kawasaki Ninja model
- Suzuki GSX-R, GSX-S
- Yamaha YZF
- Ducati Panigale, Supersport
Sport bikes are a great way to enjoy the open road. But they can also be dangerous if you're not careful. So, it's important to get the right amount of coverage for your sport bike.
Trike Insurance
Trikes are particularly popular among older riders because the third wheel removes the need for balancing and supporting the weight of the bike (and your luggage and passenger, too) at stops. For some, a trike may allow you to keep on riding longer. Trikes are also popular among first-time riders because they're easier to learn how to ride.
Trikes can operate, steer, handle and brake differently than a two-wheeled bike. For this reason, a trike may take some getting used to for someone who has spent years with a two-wheel bike.
Don't think trikes are designed with only one type of rider in mind. Trikes cater to a broad audience. Their style can range from the Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra model, which is made to handle long trips and focuses on comfort and storage, to the Polaris Slingshot 3 Wheel Motorcycle Car, which has an open cockpit design and handles like a sports car.
If you own a trike, it's likely that your insurance coverage will be similar to that of other types of motorcycles. Common trike brands we insure include*:
- Harley-Davidson® Trikes
- Can-Am
- Polaris
If you own a trike or are considering buying one, it's important to understand how insurance may affect your coverage and what steps you can take to maximize your protection.
Custom Built Motorcycle Insurance
When a mass-produced bike has had aesthetic or structural changes made to it, it's considered a custom bike.
Alternatively, a custom bike can be made at an independent shop or a factory custom bike, where riders can personalize their bikes in various ways. The advantage of a factory custom bike is that the rider can still enjoy the benefits of getting a bike from a major manufacturer (support, warranty, and finance options).
Before you customize your bike, either by yourself or at a shop, check to see if it will void your warranty or insurance policy.
Here are some common examples of bikes we won't be able to insure for physical damage:
- Kit/homemade, non-factory built, or composite
- Bikes with a replaced original frame
- State-assigned VIN
- Rebuilt or retitled
If you have a custom motorcycle, then you should discuss with your agent how they can help you find the right coverage at the right price for your bike's needs.
Motorcycle Insurance for Antique Bikes
According to the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, an antique bike is 35 years old or greater.
This definition doesn't inform laws, however. Some states require all antique bikes to be registered or licensed as antique if it's greater than 20 years old. For this reason, it's necessary to research your state's laws since they may differ from those of another state.
Some states also allow people to license and register their bikes as historical. The bike has to be of a certain age and used purely as a collectors' item to earn this designation. Such bikes are used by historical clubs, ridden in parades, or displayed at car shows.
If you plan on riding your antique bike often, it's a good idea to request quotes from several companies to compare rates and policies before deciding which company will be best for you.
Is insurance for your motorcycle required by law?
The vast majority of states require coverage carried on your owned motorcycle. Florida is one state where riders aren’t required to be insured. It is advised that Florida residents get insurance, regardless, to protect against any unplanned incidents.
Each state's insurance requirements may differ from that of another, so you should research to ensure you have the insurance you need.
How much does insurance cost?
Motorcycle insurance premiums are based on many factors. Some choices are in your control, but some are legal requirements.
The vast majority of states require coverage for motorcycles. Speak to a licensed agent or broker for more information about motorbike insurance in your state.
What are tips for requesting quotes and discounts on motorcycle insurance?
When you're buying motorcycle insurance, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you get the best deal. Here are some tips that may get you the best deal on motorcycle insurance:
- For a more accurate quote, provide the make, model and year of your bike. And remember that you'll need your vehicle identification number to get a policy.
- Add anyone else who may be a potential driver of your bike.
- Communicate any enhancements or modifications you've made to your engine.
- Take a motorcycle training course.
- If you increase your comprehensive or collision deductible, you may lower your premium.
- Even if you're keeping your bike in storage, consider comprehensive coverage to keep your baby safe.
What does motorcycle insurance cover?
There's insurance to protect you in the event of almost every type of incident. Here's just a selection of popular options.
Comprehensive & collision
Collision protects your bike if you need to pay for damages caused by hitting or getting hit by another object or vehicle. Comprehensive coverage protects your ride from damage that is not included in collision insurance, such as theft, fire, flood, or vandalism.
Custom parts/equipment and full value for replacement parts
Optional equipment insurance protects non-factory standard additions you may have made yourself. You can also get full optional equipment replacement insurance so that if your bike is totaled and your additions are also kaput, they too will be replaced.
Replacement Cost coverage
If your bike gets totaled, this type of coverage can pay for you to replace it completely, not at depreciation value.
Injury liability*
- Guest passenger liability: This protects you if your passenger gets hurt, and the operator is to blame.
- Bodily injury liability: This is for accidents for which you are at-fault and that cause harm to others. This insurance can cover lost wages, pain, medical expenses, suffering, and death.
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: This insurance protects you in the event that an uninsured driver injures you.
- Underinsured motorist bodily injury: This protects you if you are injured by the operator of a vehicle with insufficient insurance.
- Medical expense: This coverage helps you with medical costs in the event of an accident.
- Personal injury protection: Regardless of who's at fault, this insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, up to a certain point, for the policyholder and anyone else who's eligible. This coverage often includes non-medical expenses like wage loss and death benefits. Availability varies on a state-to-state basis.
* These coverages may not all be offered or available in all states.
Bottom line
If a bike won your heart enough for you to buy it, it would break your heart for you to lose it.
That's why insurance for your motorcycle is so invaluable. You never know what's going to happen, so it's good there are enough options to protect you in every situation. But we know that finding the right motorcycle insurance can be a challenge.
So, we’re here to help!
We offer motorcycle insurance for all types of bikes, from cruisers and choppers to trikes and custom-built motorcycles.
We've got many options for riders who want something different or need more protection than what comes standard on their ride today. Contact us today!
Please wait while we locate some quotes for you...