Is it required to keep insurance on a motorcycle?

Answer 1

Not necessarily. Some states (Florida used to be one, no clue if they still are, and Montana are 2 that come to mind) don't require any kind of insurance on motorcycles.

Some Financing companies (Kawasaki Good Times for sure) don't require insurance either.

But for the most part, in most areas under most situations, yes. A basic liability insurance is required.

Edited to add the information that people seem to just not research: From Florida Laws:

"MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE

Florida's mandatory Personal Injury Protection insurance does not apply to motorcycles. Street legal motorcycles with three (3) wheels and motorcycles with attached sidecars are also exempt from this compulsory insurance requirement. The voluntary purchase of motor vehicle liability insurance is recommended for your protection and the protection of other persons. Failure to carry liability insurance can result in the loss of your driver license, tag(s), and registration(s) if you are involved in a traffic accident, convicted of DUI or other occurrences as defined in the Financial Responsibility Law, Chapter 324, Florida Statutes."

Found here:

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/Motorcycles/intro.html

And on this page from Montana DMV, it tells you what's needed to register a motorcycle:

http://www.dmv.org/mt-montana/motorcycle-registration.php

You'll notice the LACK of proof of insurance. There's absolutly no mention of need for insurance on motorcycles anywhere in any of their literature as it's NOT REQURED.


Come on people, you have to know that what's true for your state/location is not necessarily true for Other states/locations.

Answer 2

If the motorcycle requires vehicle registration to be legal to ride on the streets, then you will also need to provide proof of insurance in order to register it in California at least. Some bikes that are intended to be ridden off-road like dirt bikes and trail bikes don't require registration, plates, or insurance. Some smaller sized street bikes like pocket bikes fall under the same rule, however they are limited to being ridden only on private property or in parking lots etc. just as long as they are not ridden on public streets.

An exception to this law would be that the owner of the motorcycle would not be required to carry proof of insurance if he/she can provide proof of their financial ability to pay the minimum amount of damages required by law. In other words they must place the required minimum amount of money into a seperate bank account or some sort of bond which is used to pay out any damages caused by them while driving. I suppose they could also carry 10K in cash with them at all times, but that's not practical.

Would Bill Gates be required to carry insurance if he rode a bike...
Probably not, since we all can agree that he can afford to pay for anything he breaks while riding. That's the basic idea behind the concept of carrying insurance. There are others on the road, and sometimes we cross paths.

~syd

Answer 3

You should. As far as LEGALLY REQUIRED, check with your State DMV. Some states do, others don't. Liability limits vary.
NH does not require insurance. Until you have an accident and don't pay in full immediately. Then you will have to file proof of insurance for minimum 3 years.

If you can pay, you can pay. Otherwise, get insured.

Answer 4

Yes, as long as your riding it on the streets. You are also required to have insurance on a dirt bike if you are still financing it. After it is paid off you no long need insurance on a dirt bike.

Answer 5

Yes, it's the law, you must have liability insurance to ride but it's a good thing to have full coverage, so if something do happen you can replace your bike.

Be Safe

Answer 6

Any motor vehicle operated on public roads has minimum insurance requirements - liability for the operator.

Answer 7

Well it depends on where you live, and how you buy the insurance.
Here in Nevada yes it must be insured even if it is stored. However, the insurence I have covers my bike for 1 year so even if it is in storage it is covered.
Thanks for your question

Answer 8

If you plan on riding the thing on a public rroad, yes. If you plan on using it as a display item, no - but you'd be a fool not to in that case!

Answer 9

if u wanna keep riding, better have insurance. if u wind up rollin thru a insurance checkpoint, and u dont have any, ur bike will be towed.

Answer 10

If you want to ride it on inhabited areas (streets, etc.) you need a license plate and to get a license plate you need insurance.