Motorcycle Insurance

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Is motorcycle insurance required in California?

Yes. A motorcycle on public roads has to meet the same financial responsibility law as a car. The California DMV lists the minimum liability limits under Insurance Code §11580.1b: $30,000 for injury or death to one person, $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage. Source: California DMV, Insurance Requirements. Those are minimums. A rider who causes a serious crash can owe far more, and the minimum pays nothing toward your own bike or your own injuries.

What motorcycle insurance covers

• Bodily injury and property damage liability — including injury to your passenger, which some policies limit unless you choose it.
• Collision and comprehensive — a low-side on a freeway on-ramp, a car pulling out in front of you, theft from a parking garage, fire and vandalism.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist — your injuries when the driver who hits you has no coverage or not enough.
• Medical payments — your own medical bills after a crash, regardless of fault.
• Custom parts and riding gear — saddlebags, exhaust, seats and paint, plus helmet and leathers, on policies that offer it.
• Roadside assistance and trip interruption — a tow and help with lodging when a breakdown strands you far from home.

What motorcycle policies usually exclude

Track days, racing and timed events; delivery or other paid use unless the policy is endorsed for it; mechanical breakdown; and riders who are not listed or not licensed for the bike. Lay-up or storage options can reduce coverage during the months the bike stays in the garage, so pick them with care.

Which license do I need to ride?

The California DMV issues two motorcycle classes. Class M1 lets you operate any two-wheeled motorcycle and everything under M2; Class M2 covers motorized bicycles, mopeds and bicycles with an attached motor. If you are under 21, DMV requires you to hold a motorcycle instruction permit for at least six months and complete the California Motorcyclist Training Course, run by the California Highway Patrol’s California Motorcyclist Safety Program, before you apply. Riders 21 and older may take the CHP-approved course or pass the DMV riding test. Source: California DMV, Motorcycle Licenses. Tell us about that training certificate when we quote; carriers ask about it.

What does California’s helmet law require?

The DMV California Motorcycle Handbook says all riders and passengers are required by Vehicle Code §27803 to wear a U.S. DOT-compliant motorcycle safety helmet on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or motorized bicycle, certified by the manufacturer to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. Source: California DMV, California Motorcycle Handbook (PDF).

How much does motorcycle insurance cost?

A minimum-liability policy and a full-coverage policy on the same bike are very different prices, so start with the coverage you need. After that, insurers weigh the type of bike and engine size, the rider’s age and years on an M1, completion of a motorcycle safety course, driving record, ZIP code, annual miles, the liability limits above the state minimum, the deductible, and add-ons like gear coverage. We price your bike and your riding history, not an average.

What we need to quote a motorcycle

• Year, make, model, engine size and VIN; sport, cruiser, touring, dual-sport or scooter.
• Each rider’s license class (M1 or M2) and how long they have been licensed.
• Any motorcycle safety course completion.
• Where the bike is parked overnight and about how many miles a year you ride.
• Aftermarket parts you want covered, and your current policy’s declarations page if you have one.

Insurance City is an independent brokerage at 956 W. Robinhood Dr. in Stockton. We compare motorcycle policies from the carriers we represent and can line them up with your auto insurance. Call (209) 670-1556 or request a quote below.