MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE
Motorcycle insurance for riders.
Motorcycles are not covered under personal auto policies. Almost every state requires a separate motorcycle policy with at least minimum liability limits. Coverage gaps are common because medical costs from a motorcycle accident are higher and riders are more exposed than drivers.
What it covers
What a motorcycle policy covers.
What it covers
Liability coverage
Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. State minimums are almost never enough to cover a serious accident with injuries.
What it covers
Collision and comprehensive
Collision pays for damage to your motorcycle from an accident. Comprehensive pays for theft, vandalism, weather, fire, and falling objects. Both are typically required if you have a loan.
What it covers
Uninsured and underinsured motorist
Pays medical bills and lost wages if you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance. Especially important for riders because medical costs from motorcycle accidents are higher.
What it covers
Medical payments and accessory coverage
Medical payments coverage handles medical bills for you and any passenger regardless of fault. Accessory coverage covers aftermarket parts, custom paint, saddlebags, and gear that base policies often cap at low limits.
Where policies have edges
What a motorcycle policy does not cover.
Not covered
Track use and racing
Track days, racing, and competitive use are typically excluded under standard motorcycle policies. Track-day insurance is a separate product available through specialty carriers.
Not covered
Operating without proper licensing
Riding without a valid motorcycle endorsement or while under suspension may void coverage. Confirm your endorsement is current and required for the class of motorcycle you ride.
Not covered
Custom equipment beyond standard limits
Aftermarket parts, custom paint, performance upgrades, and accessories are typically capped at $1,000 to $3,000 unless you specifically schedule them with the carrier.
Not covered
Wear, tear, and mechanical breakdown
Damage from age, normal wear, and mechanical breakdown is excluded. Motorcycle insurance covers sudden accidental loss, not maintenance.
Who needs this
Who needs Motorcycle Insurance.
Any motorcycle owner. Almost every state requires liability coverage to register a motorcycle. Helmet laws and operator endorsement requirements vary by state. Liability minimums alone are typically far below what a serious accident actually costs.
What it costs
What you can expect to pay.
Varies by state, rider age and experience, motorcycle type and value, location, and coverage limits. Most riders pay between $200 and $700 per year for typical coverage. Sport bikes and high-horsepower motorcycles cost more.
If You Need to File a Claim
Claims tips
Motorcycle accidents tend to be more serious than auto accidents and the claim process is the same as auto with a few differences.
- Get medical attention even for what feels minor. Adrenaline masks injuries. Riders often discover injuries days later. Medical documentation from the day of the accident matters at claim time.
- Always call the police. A police report is critical evidence. Get the report number on scene.
- Photograph everything. All vehicles involved, damage, the scene, license plates, road and weather conditions, your gear if it was damaged, and any visible injuries.
- Preserve your gear and equipment. Damaged helmet, jacket, boots, and gloves are evidence of impact and crash dynamics. Some carriers cover gear replacement under accessory coverage.
- Get witness contact info. Independent witnesses are extremely valuable. Riders are often blamed by default and a witness can change the outcome of a fault dispute.
- Notify your carrier promptly. Even if the other driver was at fault, notify your carrier. Most policies require prompt notice.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. You are not required to. Talk to your own carrier or agent first. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny their payout.
OUR CARRIER PANEL
Carriers We Work With
The carriers we compare are licensed and regulated in your state. We shop these markets and present the options that match your situation; a licensed advisor reviews the fit with you in a free coverage review.
Foremost Insurance
Specialty personal lines coverage, including manufactured homes, seasonal properties, and non-standard risks.
Learn moreProgressive Insurance
Progressive is strong on auto and specialty vehicles. How they compare on ratings, claims, and who they suit best.
Learn moreSafeco Insurance
Safeco sells exclusively through independent agents like Olive Cover. An honest review of their ratings, product strengths, and who they fit
Learn moreGEORGIA · STATE NOTES
Georgia motorcycle: at-fault state, minimum 25/50/25 applies
Georgia motorcycle insurance follows the same at-fault liability system as auto, with the same 25/50/25 minimum limits. Given Georgia motorcycle injury severity statistics, most riders should carry higher liability limits ($100K/$300K recommended minimum) plus medical payments coverage.
Georgia is an at-fault state for motorcycle accidents, which means the at-fault driver (car or motorcycle) pays. Motorcycle-specific coverage including custom parts, accessories, and riding gear matters because standard auto policies exclude these.
Progressive and Safeco are our primary Georgia motorcycle markets, with specialty markets like Dairyland picking up non-standard riders.
- GA motorcycle: at-fault state, separate liability, MCM required on some
If you have a claim in Georgia
Your insurer must acknowledge a claim within 15 days and decide it within 30 days.
Your rights as a Georgia policyholder during a claimGeorgia is governed by the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act (O.C.G.A. Section 33-6-30 to 37) and rules issued under Ga. Comp. R. and Regs. 120-2-52. These give you specific timelines and rights when you file a property and casualty claim.Acknowledgment. Your insurer must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 15 calendar days. They must also provide proof of loss forms within 15 days of your notification.Decision. For first-party property damage claims, the insurer must affirm or deny coverage within 15 days of receiving a completed proof of loss, or within 30 days of the claim being reported if proof of loss is not required. If they need more time, they must tell you within 5 business days and give a reason.Written denial. A denial must be in writing and must explain the specific policy provisions the carrier is relying on.Bad faith remedy. Under O.C.G.A. Section 33-4-6, if the carrier refuses to pay a covered claim, you may make a written demand for payment. If they fail to pay within 60 days and a court later finds the refusal was in bad faith, the carrier owes a penalty of up to 50 percent of the claim plus reasonable attorney’s fees.How to escalate. If you cannot resolve a dispute with your insurer, file a complaint with the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire. Filing is free. They investigate and can require corrective action against the carrier. A complaint is regulatory and does not directly compensate you, but it creates a record and applies pressure.What an independent agent adds. Olive Cover reads your policy with you, helps you document the loss, follows up on stalled timelines, and pushes back when the carrier’s position does not match the policy. We are not your lawyer or the public adjuster, and we will tell you when one of those is the right next step.
Georgia Department of Insurance: (800) 656-2298 · File a complaint
Common Motorcycle Insurance Questions
It depends on your coverage, so the answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no. If you injure a passenger on your motorcycle, the bodily injury liability portion of…
Full answerYes, in most cases your motorcycle stays covered while it is stored for the winter, as long as you keep the policy active. Even when you are not…
Full answerYes, motorcycle insurance is required in Georgia. State law treats a motorcycle like other motor vehicles, so you must carry at least the minimum liability coverage to ride…
Full answerGeorgia requires every motorcycle rider to carry liability insurance, just like drivers of cars. You must meet the state’s minimum limits before you can legally ride on public…
Full answerOn a Georgia motorcycle policy, riders can carry more than the state minimum, including strong liability, uninsured motorist, and physical damage coverage if the bike has value. Georgia…
Full answer
Explore Motorcycle Insurance facts and statistics, each cited to a government or research source →
Common Questions
Motorcycle Insurance: frequently asked questions
Does motorcycle insurance cover a passenger injury?
Liability coverage on a motorcycle policy covers injuries to others, including passengers, if you are at fault.
Is my motorcycle covered if I store it for winter?
Comprehensive coverage protects your motorcycle from theft, fire, and weather damage even when it is stored.
Is motorcycle insurance required in Georgia?
Georgia does not require motorcycle insurance by law, but riding uninsured is financially reckless.
What are Georgia’s motorcycle insurance requirements?
Georgia does not require motorcycle insurance but the same fault-state liability principles apply.
What coverage should I carry on a Georgia motorcycle policy?
Georgia does not require motorcycle insurance beyond the standard 25/50/25 liability minimums, but those limits are inadequate for a serious accident.