Coverage for New Riders
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Whether you’re 16 or 60, getting your motorcycle endorsement and swinging your leg over the saddle for the first time is one of the most exciting times in life. At the same, it’s also a time to be especially cautious, as most accidents occur within the first three years of a rider getting their license.
Most insurance companies do insure new riders, be they teenagers or senior citizens, but experience does play a large role in determining your premiums. Thus, motorcycle insurance can be especially expensive for new riders, especially those who are male and/or younger than around 26 — at that age, rates tend to drop significantly.
Overall, rates vary much more widely than they do for automobiles. For that reason, it’s especially important to shop around for the best rate and coverage — otherwise, you could end up paying way too much. Fortunately, we can help!
Motorcycle Insurance Rates for New Riders
It’s very difficult to determine what your rates “should” be, as it depends on a whole host of factors: your age, location, driving record, make/model/year/displacement of motorcycle, single vs married, coverage options, deductible, and even credit ratings. That said, we survey a range of new riders to give you some idea of what to expect.
- Male, 18, Full Coverage, Suzuki SV650S: $432 / year.
- Male, 20, Full Coverage, Honda CBR250R, Geico: $437 / year.
- Male, 23, Full Coverage, Kawasaki Ninja 400, Geico: $900 / year. (Quoted up to $2000!)
- Male, 31, Full Coverage, H-D 107: $5000 / year. (His 1993 Yamaha XT600 is only $250.)
- Male, 46, Full Coverage, H-D Road King: $350-1000 / year.
- Female, 40s, Full Coverage, Kawasaki Ninja 300: $235 / year.
As you can see, rates vary widely — not just from person to person, but from one company to the next for the exact rider and bike. As one former insurance risk analyst recommends:
“Clearly, shop it around for quotes. Often and thoroughly. If 10 quotes give the same or similar answer, make some tough decisions. Like, ‘buy a moped’ or ‘leave town’ or…” (source)
Coverage for New Riders
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Coverage Considerations for New Riders
If your bike is financed, you’ll have to carry what’s known as “full coverage” — both collision and comprehensive, in addition to the state-mandated liability minimums.
- Collision coverage: Protects your bike in an accident in most circumstances.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage from fire, wind, water, theft, and vandalism.
- Uninsured/Under-insured motorist coverage: Protects you in case the other motorist doesn’t have insurance, is from a state with lower minimum requirements, or the injuries exceed the policy caps of an at-fault motorist.
If you own your bike outright, then you can opt for a liability-only policy, which will be less expensive, but isn’t recommended. Why not? Because statistics show that the majority of accidents occur in the first three years after a new rider obtains his or her license.
What’s more, the liability minimums are often too low, and UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage) is highly recommended. Says one veteran member of MotorcycleForum.com:
“If you’re smart, you’ll make sure you get sufficient underinsured and uninsured coverage. I generally recommend $100,000/$300,000 coverage. The reason being is that (1) there are a lot of uninsured drivers out there, and (2) if someone hits you, but they only have state minimum liability, then your medical bills will eat up that minimum amount since your injuries are more likely to be significantly more extensive on a bike than if you had been hit in a car. That’s where the uninsured/underinsured coverage kicks in, and IMO that is the MOST important coverage for a motorcyclist to have.”
If you ride a bike that’s custom or has a lot of aftermarket parts, then you should consider additional coverage:
- Accessories coverage: Protects items such as saddlebags/panniers, backrests, seats, chrome accessories, etc.
- Custom parts coverage: Covers items that are unique like handmade tanks, finders, pipes, etc.
Often, these coverages are combined as “CPE,” or Custom Parts and Equipment coverage.
Lower Rates for New Riders
Rates are generally higher for new riders, but there are several things you can do to bring them down.
Attend an MSF Basic Rider Course. Taking a two-day Motorcycle Safety Foundation course will not only get you a discount with most insurers, but could teach life-saving skills. Visit www.msf-usa.org to find a course near you. (If you’ve already completed an MSF course, make sure to tell your insurer so you get the discount!)
Maintain Good Grades. If you’re a student, one of the best things you can do to keep your rates low is get good grades. Most companies offer a discount if you’re GPA is 3.0 or higher. Again, make sure to ask your insurer about this discount.
Increase Your Deductible. While we don’t recommend skimping on your coverage, you can bring your rates down by opting for a higher deductible — the amount you pay before insurance kicks in.
Checking Rates
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Insurance for New Riders
Compare Rates from Top Insurers - Instantly!
Enter your zip code