The average cost of motorcycle insurance by age and by state

Motorcycle insurance in the United States costs an average of $1,173 per year for a full coverage policy.

Motorcycle insurance is similar to car insurance in some ways. Motorcycle insurance, like car insurance, has state minimum liability requirements as well as the option to add more coverage. Motorcycle insurance, like car insurance, becomes more expensive as you add more types of coverage and lower the deductibles you'll be required to pay if you're in an accident.

What factors influence the cost of motorcycle insurance?

Though most motorcycle insurance is less expensive than car insurance, it can become costly if you seek full coverage motorcycle insurance, which covers both your liability requirements and can help repair or replace your motorcycle if it is damaged.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, a motorcycle insurance policy typically includes the following five types of coverage:

• Liability insurance: Coverage that compensates you for any damage you cause to other people's property or injuries you cause. In most cases, this is all that a minimum coverage policy will provide.
• Collision insurance: Coverage that will pay for damages to your motorcycle if you're in an accident. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage done by anything other than an accident, like theft or vandalism. 
• Coverage for motorcycle modifications, parts, and accessories: Some insurance policies will pay to repair or replace riding gear (such as jackets and helmets), while others will pay to repair or replace accessories such as trailers, sidecars, or upgraded parts.
• Underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage: If an underinsured or uninsured driver causes damage to you or your property, this coverage will pay for it.

Here's how adding coverage can change your cost of insurance for a 25-year old rider in California:

When you purchase a state minimum policy, you are only getting one of these five types of coverage. Consider that if you are involved in an accident, you may be responsible for covering these expenses on your own.

The average cost of motorcycle insurance varies by age.

Motorcycle insurance companies, like car insurance companies, will base your individual rate on factors such as your driving history and age. They frequently take into account the number of years you've been driving and riding.

In general, the more experienced the rider, the lower the cost of insurance. Here's how the costs compare with GEICO quotes for a hypothetical male rider of varying ages who obtained his motorcycle license at the age of 20. The policy provides up to $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and up to $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and comprehensive and collision coverage.

According to sample data, a 55-year-old rider will pay about $100 less per year for motorcycle insurance than a 25-year-old rider.

Traffic tickets, like car insurance, can have an impact on the amount you pay for motorcycle insurance. According to Progressive, a traffic ticket, whether in your car or on your motorcycle, will affect the price you pay for motorcycle insurance.

The average cost of motorcycle insurance varies by state.

Motorcycle insurance is more expensive in some states than others. State laws that require coverage, like car insurance, may have an impact on how much your motorcycle insurance costs.

The winter conditions in your state are another factor that influences the cost based on where you live. Motorcycle riding is seasonal in some parts of the United States. Coverage is less expensive in states with harsh winters, such as New England and the northern Midwest.

For a Kawasaki Z400 and a 25-year-old male rider in each state, StrongInsurance obtained over 100 quotes from national motorcycle insurers GEICO and Dairyland, two of the most affordable insurers offering online quotes. Quotes were for a policy that included comprehensive and collision insurance, as well as up to $25,000 in injury liability per person and $50,000 in liability coverage per accident. We obtained quotes from both GEICO and Dairyland for each state, then averaged the two.

The average cost of motorcycle insurance in each state is as follows:

It's not surprising that some of the northernmost states have the most affordable coverage — Vermont, North Dakota, and South Dakota are the three most affordable states for coverage. The better the weather in your state, the more you'll pay for motorcycle insurance because you'll be riding for a longer period of time.

Georgia, Arizona, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee are among the top ten most expensive states for motorcycle insurance.

How to save money on motorcycle insurance

Saving money on motorcycle insurance may require some extra effort, but the savings may be worth it. Here are three steps you can take to save money:

Shop around for coverage

Shopping around, as with any other type of insurance, can help you find the best rate. Each company evaluates your personal information and needs differently, and each insurer charges a different premium for your policy.

Request quotes from several motorcycle insurance companies to determine which company provides the most coverage for the lowest premiums and deductibles.

Attend a motorcycle safety course.

Even if you've been riding for a long time, it's never a bad idea to brush up on your skills. Many insurance companies will also give you a discount if you've taken a motorcycle safety course within the last five years.

Join an owner's club.

Some insurers provide discounts to members of owner or rider organizations, such as the Harley-Davidson Owners Group.