Motorcycle Insurance for 16-Year-Old Riders

As you probably know, both age and driving/riding experience are large factors in determining your insurance rates. Even if you’ve been riding in the dirt or on the track since you were a kid, as a 16-year-old rider, you could face rates that seem outrageously high, even prohibitive. That’s because most accidents happen in the first few years that a rider or driver has their license, and insurance companies operate according to such statistics.

What’s more, insurance isn’t just a luxury — it’s the law in most states. You could face significant legal repercussions from riding uninsured, and in many localities, you won’t be able to keep your bike registered without proof of insurance. Fortunately, many 16-year-olds can and do ride legally on the street.  The secret is finding the coverage you need at a price that won’t break the bank, and we can help.

Coverage Considerations for 16-Year-Old Riders

The vast majority of US states require you to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage for your bike. You’ll often see these coverages stated in a sequence of three numbers.  For instance: $25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000.  Here’s what that means:

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

Liability coverage, of course, only covers damages or injuries to third parties or their property — it does not cover your bike. Opting for a liability-only policy, colloquially known as “Basic Coverage,” is generally the cheapest form of insurance that meets legal guidelines.

However, if you financed your bike through a bank or dealer, you will almost certainly be required to carry what’s known as “Full Coverage.” This consists of 2-3 additional types of coverage:

• Collision: Protects your bike in an accident while on the road.
• Comprehensive: Protects your bike from damage sustained by fire, wind, water, vandalism, and most importantly for many riders, it protects you in case of theft.
• Uninsured/Under-insured Motorist (UM/UIM): It’s not estimated that 1-2 out of every 10 US drivers are uninsured, and no one wants to pay for damage or injuries caused by another motorist. What’s more, the under-insured (UIM) part of this coverage helps protect you if the at-fault driver is from a state with lower minimum requirements, or your injuries/damage exceed their coverage caps.

Basic Coverage may be tempting, given the low price, but we strongly encourage all teen and new riders to carry Full Coverage if it’s financially possible. Riding motorcycles is one of the greatest thrills in life, but it’s also dangerous — especially in a world of distracted drivers.

Fortunately, we can help you find the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. Enter your zip code to begin.

Discounts for 16-Year-Old Riders

While make/model of bike, driving record, and location are the biggest factors in determining your rates, there are a number of ways you can secure discounts. Most of these will save you 5-10% on your premiums — add those up, and you’re looking a very significant savings on a monthly basis.

• Attend an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Course: This is one of the best-known discounts, and we can’t encourage it strongly enough. An MSF course is well worth the cost. Not only will you practice skills that could save your life on the road, but it also allows you to skip the ”skills” portion of the licensing process and lowers your premiums. Just be sure to report your graduation to your insurer to get your discount. Here’s the MSF website — find a course near you: www.msf-usa.org.
• GPA Discount: Sometimes known as a “Good Student Discount,” most insurers offer this for students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. They may require your school to send them your transcipts / report card. Ask your insurers for more information.
• Good Rider Discount: Most insurers are now offering good driver/rider discounts for those who steer clear of speeding tickets, traffic citations, and accidents. Even if they don’t offer a specific discount, there’s no better way to keep your rates low than to maintain a clean driving/riding record. Citations and accidents on your bike carry over to your car insurance and vice versa, so be careful both in the saddle and behind the wheel, and your bank account will thank you.

Comparing Policies / Rates

Some insurers are more welcoming and willing to insure young riders than others, so it’s absolutely crucial to compare quotes from a range of companies — otherwise, you’ll almost certainly end up paying significantly more than you should. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Just enter the zip code to begin!