Pennsylvania Motorcycle Insurance
Find the right motorcycle insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
When you take to the open roads of the Keystone state on your motorcycle, you grab the necessary gear to make sure you're protected against the elements. This insures a fun and safe ride. No matter where you're headed, from Harrisburg to Hershey, Philly to Pittsburgh or anywhere in between, you also need to protect yourself and your bike with Pennsylvania motorcycle insurance.
An independent Trusted Choice® member agent can help you find the right protection. Your member agent can show you a select group of Pennsylvania motorcycle insurance quotes and coverages to choose from. Find an agent today.
Better Motorcycle Insurance
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PA Motorcycle Accident Stats
- Number of motorcyclists killed in PA in 2012: 210
- Number of motorcyclists injured in PA in 2012: 3,919
- Number of motorcycle collisions in PA in 2012: 3,985
Do I Have to Carry Pennsylvania Motorcycle Insurance?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation defines a motorcycle as "a motor vehicle having a seat or a saddle for the use of a rider, and designed to travel with no more than three wheels in contact with the ground." This can include dirt bikes, sports bikes and choppers.
All of these vehicles require some type of motorcycle liability coverage unless you self-insure. To self-insure, you need to fill out an application, provide financial statements and have at least $50,000 of security collateral, such as treasury notes or bonds and an additional $10,000 for every other motorcycle you own. Due to these burdensome requirements, most people end up purchasing a Pennsylvania motorcycle insurance policy to insure their motorcycles.
Pennsylvania mandates that a motorcycle owner carry liability coverage up to these minimum limits:
- Bodily injury to one person: $15,000
- Bodily injury to more than one person: $30,000
- Property damage for a single accident: $5,000
Motorcycle liability insurance has two parts:
- Bodily injury which covers you if you are at fault in an accident and someone other than yourself is injured.
- Property damage which covers damage to another person's vehicle or property in an accident that is your fault.
Although liability coverage is mandatory, many financial advisors recommend that you carry higher coverage limits and additional risk protections that extend to you and your motorcycle. Even though PA does allow certain riders who are 21 and over and have been licensed for two years to ride without a helmet, the minimum insurance requirements for helmeted and unhelmeted drivers is the same. Ask your independent Trusted Choice member agent to advise you on appropriate liability coverage limits for your situation.
What Other Coverage Do I Need?
Other than increasing your liability limits, it's a good idea to insure yourself against injury and your motorcycle against damage. A motorcycle is a riskier vehicle to drive than a car, since you are not belted into an enclosed area. Also, motorists frequently overlook a motorcycle due to its size and stealth. Plus, if you do have an accident the danger of being thrown from the vehicle and suffering a major injury is more likely, particularly if you ride without a helmet.
These are the additional coverages you may also want to consider:
- Collision: Protects your motorcycle if it is damaged in an accident
- Comprehensive or "other than collision": Covers your bike in the event of a non-collision incident; includes theft, vandalism, hail damage and more
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Provides for you if you are in an accident with someone who is uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the full extent of the damage to you or your motorcycle
- Medical payments: Offers you and others who ride with you medical and hospitalization payments if injured
How Much Does Motorcylce Insurance Cost?
Many factors can affect the cost of your motorcycle insurance. Obviously, a policy with more comprehensive coverage and higher coverage limits will cost more than a policy that covers the bare minimum. Here are some other variables that will determine the cost of your policy.
- Your age: Insurance companies charge different rates for different age groups.
- Your past driving record: The length of your driving history and past accidents increase or decrease your rates.
- Where you ride your motorcycle: Off-roading and mountain riding may be considered more dangerous than a local commute.
- How often you ride: Riding recreationally for a few hours a week may be considered less risky than using the motorcycle as your primary vehicle.
- Customizations: Added accessories and other custom add ons can influence your premium cost.
Better Motorcycle Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Find Affordable Pennsylvania Motorcycle Insurance Quotes
Riding your motorcycle can be fun and adventurous or a great way to save on gas. No matter why you ride, you need to make sure you are fully covered if an unforeseen mishap occurs.
A independent Trusted Choice member agent can help you compare hundreds of available motorcycle insurance companies and policy options. You'll get the Pennsylvania motorcycle insurance quotes that make the most sense for you and you can choose the policy that fits your situation. Find an agent today to start saving.