Virginia Motorcycle Insurance

Virginia takes a unique approach to motorist insurance. The state allows for riders to operate a motorcycle uninsured without being penalized. All a rider need do is pay a $500 ”uninsured motor vehicle” fee to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Sounds great, right? Not really when you consider that Virginia is an ”at fault” motorcycle insurance state. So, even if you have paid your uninsured motorist fee, you will be on the hook for all expenses related to an accident where you are found at fault.

To help you understand some of the insurance issues in Virginia, let’s have a look at how the state defines a motorcycle for law enforcement and insurance purposes, some of the required equipment to make your bike street legal, as well as the coverage levels and types you may need.

Get Coverage

Rates & Policies Online

Enter Zip Code

Virginia Motorcycle Insurance Laws

To most people it may seem obvious what a motorcycle is, but every state must clearly define one for law enforcement and insurance purposes. In the Old Dominion State a motorcycle is defined as:

”Every motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is capable of traveling at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. The term ‘motorcycle’ does not include any ‘electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, farm tractor, golf cart, moped, motorized skate board or scooter, utility vehicle or wheelchair or wheelchair conveyance.”

The great state of Virginia offers a plethora of stunning rides. There is a large amount of open riding to be found and the congested streets of Richmond can make for an interesting ride as well. Whether you are in congested urban sprawl or wide open country, you and your bike must have certain equipment in order to be considered street legal in Virginia. That equipment includes:

  • Eye protection: required unless equipped with a windscreen.
  • Handlebar height: no restrictions.
  • Helmet: required for all riders.
  • Mirrors: only one is required.
  • Turn Signals: not required.
  • Passenger Seat/Footrest: both are required if carrying a passenger. No restrictions on a passenger’s age.
  • Headlight: required, modulating daytime headlight approved.
  • Muffler: required, but there are no acoustical limits set.
  • Safety Inspection: periodic inspection required.

Virginia Minimum Motorcycle Insurance

The legislature in Virginia has established that the minimal motorcycle insurance limits are to be:

  • $25,000 for death or bodily injury to one person
  • $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more persons
  • $20,000 for damage or destruction of property

You can see that these coverages make great strides toward protecting riders and passengers alike, but they may not be enough to fully cover a serious incident. A single night in the hospital or an E.R. visit with ambulance bills could easily reach those limits. When you add in tests; physical therapy; and time off work, you can imagine how short those limits will fall.

Additional Coverage Recommendations

  • Collision coverage: this protection covers your bike in an accident while on the road.
  • Comprehensive coverage: this protection picks up where collision leaves off, covering non-collision items like fire, wind, water, theft, and vandalism.
  • Uninsured/Under-insured motorist coverage: at any given time more than 10 percent of the motorists in Virginia are uninsured. With so many uninsured motorists on the roads you can understand the need for this type of coverage. The under-insured aspect of the policy protects you in case the other driver is from a state with lower minimum requirements or the injuries exceed the policy caps of an at fault motorist.

You may also want to consider a higher personal injury limit, as well as Custom Parts and Equipment coverage if you ride a highly customized bike.

Virginia Motorcycle Insurance Rates

It’s notoriously difficult to predict insurance rates for motorcycles. That’s because rates vary based on such a wide variety of factors, from the make/model of the bike to your driving record, type of coverage and limits, location, and even credit score. Honestly, the only way to get a good idea of what it’s going to cost is to request motorcycle insurance quotes from a variety of competing insurers. Fortunately, we can help you do this online. Just enter your zip code to get started.

Get Insured

Rates & Policies Online

Enter Zip Code