How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Progressive is the best motorcycle insurance company overall, with broad coverage options and strong rates for most rider profiles.
- GEICO suits riders who want top financial strength and a smooth digital claims experience.
- Dairyland is best for custom or modified motorcycles and for riders in rural and moderate-risk markets.
- Harley-Davidson Insurance suits Harley owners and riders in the Southwest and high-theft states.
- State Farm suits riders who want a local agent plus bundling with home and auto policies.
- Nationwide suits riders with several bikes or custom builds.
- Markel suits niche and higher-risk riders who struggle to find standard coverage.
- USAA suits military riders and veterans, with consistently low premiums for eligible members.
- Rates vary sharply by state, bike, age, and riding record, so get at least three quotes with the same limits before you decide. This article is not financial advice, and insurance needs vary by state law and lender rules.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Progressive | Best overall coverage and rates | See website | No |
 GEICO | Financial strength and digital claims | See website | No |
 Dairyland | Custom bikes and rural markets | See website | No |
 Harley-Davidson Insurance | Harley owners | See website | No |
 State Farm | Local agent plus bundling | See website | No |
 Nationwide | Several bikes or custom builds | See website | No |
 Markel | Niche and higher-risk riders | See website | No |
 USAA | Military riders and veterans | See website | No |
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The best motorcycle insurance companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Progressive is the strongest all-around motorcycle insurer for most riders. It offers about fifteen coverage options and a dozen discount opportunities, with $3,000 of custom parts and equipment coverage included in the base policy. It posts the lowest full coverage rates for young riders, seniors, and riders with violations in several analyses, with a flat rate that does not penalize violations as heavily as some rivals.
The trade off is service consistency. Customer service ratings vary by study, and the online-first experience suits some riders less than a local agent. For most riders, Progressive is the first quote to get, since it wins on breadth and price in more profiles than any rival.
What we like- Broadest coverage options
- Strong rates across rider profiles
- Accessory coverage included
Watch out for- Customer service ratings vary
- Rates still rise with violations
- Online-first experience
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
GEICO carries the industry highest financial strength rating at A++, which signals strong ability to pay claims, and its digital claims experience is among the smoothest available. It suits riders who want basic coverage done well, monthly payment options, and bundling with home insurance. Senior riders get notably low rates in some analyses.
The limits are price and depth. Average rates run higher than Progressive and Dairyland in most comparisons, and GEICO offers fewer ways to upgrade protection for custom bikes. For riders who value financial strength and digital ease over the lowest price, GEICO is a strong pick.
What we like- AM Best A++ financial strength rating
- Fast digital claims
- 24/7 service
Watch out for- Higher average rates than Progressive
- Fewer upgrade options
- Less custom-bike depth
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Dairyland ranks second overall in one major analysis for riders with custom or modified motorcycles, thanks to high accessory limits and flexible terms. It posts the lowest rates in several Midwest states, including Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi, and it concentrates on rural and moderate-risk markets that bigger carriers sometimes price harshly.
The trade off is scale. Dairyland has a smaller national footprint and average customer service ratings, with fewer digital tools than GEICO or Progressive. For custom-bike owners and rural riders, Dairyland is often the cheapest serious quote.
What we like- High accessory limits
- Flexible terms
- Low rates in several Midwest states
Watch out for- Smaller national footprint
- Customer service is average
- Fewer digital tools
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Harley-Davidson Insurance posts the lowest average annual rate in one analysis at about $234 per year, though availability varies by state. It suits Harley owners best, with coverage shaped around Harley models and a dealer network that understands the bikes. In the Southwest and high-theft states, it posts the lowest full coverage rates in several states, including Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Utah.
The limits are fit and geography. Non-Harley riders may find better value elsewhere, and rates vary sharply by region. For Harley owners, especially in the Southwest, it is a must-quote option.
What we like- Lowest average rates in one analysis
- Harley-specific coverage
- Strong dealer network ties
Watch out for- Availability varies by state
- Best value skews to Harley owners
- Rates vary sharply by region
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
State Farm suits riders who want a local agent and bundling. Its agents handle motorcycle, auto, and home policies together, which can cut the total bill through multi-policy discounts, and accident forgiveness options help riders with a blemish on their record. Roadside and trip interruption coverage add value for touring riders.
The trade off is price and consistency. Motorcycle rates run mid-range rather than cheapest, and agent quality varies by office. For riders who value a person they can call, State Farm is the best agent-led pick.
What we like- Local agents
- Accident forgiveness options
- Strong bundling discounts
Watch out for- Motorcycle rates are mid-range
- Agent quality varies by office
- Online tools are basic
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Nationwide suits riders with several bikes or custom builds, with multi-bike discounts and coverage for custom parts. Its vanishing deductible option reduces the deductible for each claim-free year, which rewards careful riders over time. It also covers a wide range of bike types, from cruisers to sport bikes.
The limits are price and availability. Average rates run higher than Progressive in most comparisons, and availability varies by state. For multi-bike households, Nationwide is worth a quote for the bundling value alone.
What we like- Multi-bike discounts
- Custom build coverage
- Vanishing deductible option
Watch out for- Rates run higher than Progressive
- Availability varies
- Digital experience is average
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Markel fills a niche that standard carriers sometimes avoid. It offers low-cost coverage in some states, including Washington, where it posts the lowest rates in one analysis, and it accepts higher-risk profiles that other carriers price out. For riders with violations, unusual bikes, or hard-to-place risks, Markel is often the workable option.
The trade off is breadth. Markel is a smaller brand with fewer discounts and limited digital tools, so the experience is more basic. For riders who struggle to find standard coverage, Markel is the best specialist pick.
What we like- Niche coverage
- Low-cost option in some states
- Accepts higher-risk profiles
Watch out for- Smaller brand
- Fewer discounts
- Limited digital tools
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
USAA is the best motorcycle insurer for military riders and veterans who qualify. It posts consistently low premiums with top-tier service ratings, and its expertise in military life, including deployments and moves, is unmatched. For eligible members, USAA beats most civilian carriers on price and service together.
The limit is eligibility. USAA membership is restricted to military members, veterans, and eligible family, so the general public cannot buy it. If you qualify, USAA should be your first quote. If you do not, Progressive and Dairyland are the best civilian alternatives.
What we like- Consistently low premiums
- Top-tier service ratings
- Military-specific expertise
Watch out for- Military-only eligibility
- Not available to the general public
- Membership required
How we chose
We compared coverage breadth, average rates across rider profiles, financial strength, discount options, and availability. Companies that win only one narrow profile scored lower than companies that serve many profiles well. We favored firms with strong financial strength ratings and noted where published averages conflict across sources, since rider profile drives price more than brand. We did not test any company hands-on, and rates here reflect published analyses that change with state filings.
Buying guide: what to check before you pay
Start with state law and lender rules. Liability coverage is required in 47 states, and financed bikes need comprehensive and collision coverage regardless of state law. Next, pick limits honestly. A common recommendation is at least 100/300/100 liability limits, meaning $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 property damage, since minimum state limits often fall short of real crash costs. Check accessory coverage if you ride a custom bike, since standard policies cap parts and gear. Ask about discounts for safety courses, bundling, low mileage, and anti-theft devices, since discounts vary widely. Finally, compare at least three quotes with identical limits, deductibles, and accessory coverage, because rate differences of $200 to $500 a year between insurers are common for the same rider. Keep the quote sheets side by side and check that each quote covers the same bike value, the same gear, and the same deductible, since a cheaper quote that drops coverage is not a better deal for any rider.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need motorcycle insurance?
In 47 states, yes, liability coverage is legally required. Florida, Montana, and New Hampshire do not legally require it, but riders there remain financially responsible for damage they cause, and lenders require full coverage on financed bikes.
How much does motorcycle insurance cost?
It varies sharply. Published averages range from about $22 per month for a clean-record rider in one analysis to over $150 per month for a different profile in another. Your state, bike, age, and riding record decide your price, so get personal quotes.
What coverage should I get?
Get full coverage, meaning liability plus comprehensive and collision, if your bike is financed, worth over $3,000, or you cannot afford to replace it yourself. Consider limits of at least 100/300/100 for liability.
Does motorcycle insurance cover my gear and custom parts?
Some policies include accessory coverage, and Progressive includes $3,000 of custom parts coverage in its base policy. Dairyland offers high accessory limits. Check the cap before you assume your gear is covered.
Can military members get cheaper motorcycle insurance?
Yes, if eligible. USAA posts consistently low premiums for military riders and veterans, with top-tier service. If you do not qualify, Progressive offers the lowest rates for most civilian profiles.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.