Dirt Bike Insurance

Many off-road riders don’t even think to insure their dirt and trail bikes, which can be a mistake.  Typically, auto, home, and renter’s insurance policies often don’t cover off-road recreational vehicles from theft or damage during transport. Typically, your homeowner’s policy will only cover motorized vehicles used to “service” your property, such as riding lawnmowers.  The way your dirt bike carves a nice, deep rut in that swale behind the house doesn’t quite qualify.

What’s more, in many areas, you are required to carry liability coverage when riding on public or state-owned lands or OHV trail systems.  If riding on lands owned or leased by you, liability insurance may not be required, but you will still be liable for personal injury or property damage to others.

Why Insuring your Dirt Bike is a Good Idea

Just for argument’s sake, we will assume that you always ride your bike on private land. No worries, right? What happens when you crash? Your bike is damaged, and you are going to have to repair it out of pocket. Assume that wreck happens on a friend’s property and you damage a garage or other outbuilding; who pays for the damage you have done? You do…out of pocket. Say that collision is with another rider, and they are hurt in the process?  Again…you are liable, with no coverage to help you pay the bills.

Perhaps the most annoying way to damage your bike is in transport. Generally, if your bike is not insured and it falls from your trailer or you are found at fault in an accident that damages your bike as well, your car insurance will not cover the bike.

Types of Dirt Bike Insurance You May Need

There are many types of insurance coverage. Exactly what you need depends on how you intend to ride. A rider who just plans to cruise the back forty at home will need different coverage than a rider who intends to hit the trails regularly or may run a motocross track from time to time. Whatever your riding plans may be, here are several types of insurance you should be aware of.

Theft and Comprehensive: this coverage is important no matter how you ride. It covers theft from your home, transport vehicle, or storage area. The comprehensive coverage portion will protect your bike from fire, wind, water, and vandalism.

Collision Insurance: pretty easy to understand what this coverage involves. It really comes in handy when that bush, tree, or rock jumps out suddenly and hits your bike. This coverage is usually optional, unless you have a loan against your bike. Optional or not, it is a must have unless your are wealthy enough to fix your bike out of pocket.

Medical Payment Insurance: this coverage will pay your medical bills after an accident, whether you are at fault or not. If you have spent any time running trails, you have had a medical bill or two to pay and know just how expensive they can be. You will never regret carrying this coverage. A few of the items covered by a medical payment policy are: dental care, prescription drugs, medical co-payments, and other health insurance policy deductibles. It will even cover psychiatric visits, home nurse care, and funeral expenses.

Bodily Injury Insurance: this coverage is different from medical payment coverage in that it covers people that you hurt in an at fault accident, including your passenger. It covers essentials like doctor visits, medications, lost wages, physical therapy visits, hospital stays, and funeral expenses.

Property Damage Liability Insurance: this is a must have if you ride on someone’s property. It will cover damage you do to: land, fencing, or vehicles. Some insurers combine this coverage in their bodily injury policies. You may want to carry a policy with a limit high enough to pay an attorney if one become necessary.

Roadside assistance: this covers towing. Towing can include assistance removing your bike from mud or sand or toting it to a repair shop after it is damaged and become inoperable.

Popular Dirt Bikes to Insure

• Honda CRF250/450
• Honda CR125/250
• Honda XR250/650
• Kawasaki KX250F/450F
• Kawasaki KX250/450
• Kawasaki KLR250/650
• Suzuki RM-Z250/450
• Suzuki RM125/250
• Suzuki DR-Z400S/SM
• Yamaha YZ250F/450F
• Yamaha YZ250/450
• Yamaha WR250F/450

Dirt Bike Insurance Rates:  How Much?

Has all this talk of insurance got you worried?  Just how much are you going to have to pay to cover your bike?  The good news is not much.  We surveyed a range of riders with varying levels of coverage, and most riders pay just $8-12 per month, $96 to $144 per year.  For the price of a couple lattes per month, you could have the security and assurance of having your machine protected.

Where to Buy Off-Road Motorcycle Insurance

While most insurers cover motorcycles, only a select few offer coverage for dirt bikes, ATVs, and other off-road recreational vehicles. Even if you know of a carrier that offers coverage for your off-road bike, their coverage may not be the least inexpensive. It is in your best interest to shop around for your policy. That is why we have created a convenient tool that allows you to enter your personal and bike related information once, then see quotes from all of the major dirt bike insurers. Follow this link to begin.

More Information:  OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Laws

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a directory of state-by-state laws and regulations as they relate to dirt bikes, ATVs, and Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV).  Additionally, the state of Massachusetts offers a Guide to Insurance for Off-Road and Recreational Vehicles, much of which applies anywhere in the United States.