Key Takeaways
Insurance can protect you from unforeseen financial obligations. Damages to the motorcycle, as well as other losses or injuries, are covered by motorcycle insurance. In other words, all motorcycle insurance policies include collision, comprehensive, and liability coverage. There are also additional coverages to consider when insuring your motorcycle.
Do you need motorcycle insurance in California? How much does it cost to insure a bike in California? Which companies offer the cheapest insurance rates for motorcycles in the state? Here we look at the different aspects of motorcycle insurance in California.
California mandates insuring your motorcycle to drive around in the state. Like cars, owning a motorcycle also requires minimum liability insurance coverage that will act as proof of financial responsibility and give you basic protection during accidents. The minimum liability insurance required in California includes the following.
If you cause an accident with another driver or pedestrian, bodily damage liability insurance will help pay for the medical expenses related to the other person's injuries. The other party may also cover your legal costs if they sue you for their losses.
Incidents outside of your control, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and collisions with wildlife, may be covered by comprehensive motorcycle insurance for the cost of replacing or repairing your motorcycle. In the event of a collision with another driver or an object, such as a stop sign or parked car, motorcycle collision coverage safeguards your motorcycle.
This will contribute to the payment for the damages you caused to the other vehicle during an accident.
If you are in an accident with a driver who is either uninsured or lacks insurance to cover your losses, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage shields you financially.
The cost of accident-related medical expenses is assisted by medical payment coverage. States without PIP can access it, and most states make it an optional benefit.
The rate for insuring your motorcycle depends on different factors. The motorcycle insurance rates in California tend to be higher than the average. Here is the list of insurance providers that provide California's cheapest motorcycle insurance rates.
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Insurance Rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1399 |
| Dairyland | $2311 |
| Progressive | $2774 |
The average motorcycle insurance cost is $152 per month in California, which is $1,822 per year. Motorcycle insurance rates can vary with the model and make of the bike, the city you reside in, and the owner's driving record.
The major factors that affect motorcycle insurance rates include the driving record, the type of bike you own, the age and gender of the driver, and the type of coverage you choose for your motorcycle.
Cleaner the record, the lower will be the insurance rate for your motorcycle. A ticket in your name can increase the insurance rates.
A brand-new motorcycle will cost more to insure than older models. However, those with a sidecar will cost more than the two-wheelers.
The driver's age and gender are significant factors in determining insurance rates. Older drivers with perfect driving records will cost less than younger drivers with less experience.
The insurance premium for your motorcycle will be determined by the insurance company and the coverage you choose—the lesser the number of coverage options, the lower the total cost. However, the more coverage options you have for your motorcycle, the better it will be.
First, you may get a jump start on finding an affordable choice by shopping around for insurance quotes from other providers. This will offer you the opportunity to compare prices.
A safe driver discount is provided for a clean record, and attending a motorcycle safety class will fetch discounts from the different providers.
The discounts available can vary with the insurance companies and the model of the bike you own. Stressing on the available discounts can be a good opportunity to save.
California Motorcycle Law defines a motorcycle as "Any motor vehicle with a seat or saddle, no more than three wheels, and has an engine displacement of 150 cc or larger."
California Motorcycle laws are similar to that of cars. While one has to follow all the laws on speed and parking similar to cars, there is an exception concerning lane splitting. Lane splitting is lawful for motorcycles as long as traffic is significantly slowed or stopped.
While riding or operating a motorcycle in California, drivers of motorcycles and passengers on motorcycles are required to wear helmets that the California Department of Transportation has approved. For a helmet to be considered legitimate, a sticker of approval from the California Department of Transportation must be visibly affixed to the back of the helmet.
It is against the law to use a motorcycle helmet that the DOT has not approved, and violators face the same penalties as those who choose not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
You need motorcycle insurance, and you have to show proof of insurance before you can register your bike in California. If you ride without insurance, you might have to pay a fine or have your license suspended. If you don't have insurance and get into an accident, you have to pay for the damage to your car and any medical bills out of your own pocket.
Yes. To drive a motorcycle in California, you must have a valid California motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders are only authorized to ride their motorcycles under California motorcycle permit restrictions.
If you drive a motorcycle in California without a valid California motorcycle license, you could get a fine of up to $1,000 or can go to jail for up to six months.
The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of research completed by Way.com’s data team. Using a mix of public and internal data, we analyzed millions of rate averages across U.S. ZIP codes.
Quotes are typically based on a full coverage policy average unless otherwise noted within the content.
These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes will differ. Given this, it’s important to go through our insurance steps form to find how much you can save with way.com
The average cost of motorcycle insurance in California is $152 per month, which is $1,822 per year.
All motorists in California must have 15/30/5 liability coverage. That means your California motorcycle insurance should cover at least $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. Your provider must meet these limits if you cause an accident.
Yes, AAA provides motorcycle insurance in California.
Yes, motorcycle insurance in California is expensive.
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