Is motorcycle insurance required in the us?

Question

My friend who rides told me that the law does not require you to have insurance if you ride a motorcycle. He said it's only an option if you want to purchase insurance or not. Is there any truth to this??

OH, and the state is Florida, if that matters.

Ok, wow never mind, some of you on this sight do have some knowledge, others are just talking out of your butts. For all those who clearly don't know what their talking about read this...

Is insurance required on motorcycles?
There is no statutory requirement to purchase insurance on motorcycles, except when a driver has to prove financial responsibility due to violations or failure to pay for damages they caused in an accident. Lenders may require comprehensive and collision coverage to protect their interest.

Answer 1

it depends on the state -- it is not required in all states. for example it is not required in florida, although the law recommends it.

Answer 2

There are typically two types of required insurance. It depends on where you live, and whether or not you borrow money to buy the motorcycle.

Liability insures the other person in an accident.
Collision and comprehensive just insure your vehicle itself.

1) Where you live. Many states require liability insurance, no matter what you drive (although the rate may vary). This is so that if you get in an accident, you have insurance that might cover the other person.

2) If you borrowed money to buy the motorcycle. In that case, the lender might require insurance so that if it's wrecked they can get their money back.

So, if the motorcyle is paid in full, and you don't live in a state where liability insurance is required, then you don't require any insurance. That said, if you are in an accident, they can go after your assets, instead of your policy's.

For me, personally, I want liability (even though my state requires it). As for whether I want collision (hit someone else), comprehensive (hit an animal, get keyed, break a windshield) or not, depends on how old my car is and how much it costs to fix it. If it was a 1982 Buick, I probably would only have liability. If it was a 2004 car, I'd probably get collision, or at least comprehensive, if it would cost money to fix.

Answer 3

Well, you have it partially right. You don't need coverage to REGISTER your bike, but there is a financial responsibility as to riding it.

Motorcycle insurance requirements for the state of Florida can be confusing. Motorcycle insurance is not required to register a motorcycle in FL. However, if a motorcycle operator is charged in a crash with injuries, then the owner or owner/operator is financially responsible for bodily injuries and property damage to others.

If no liability coverage was in effect for the motorcycle at the time of the accident, then bodily injury/property damage liability insurance must be purchased and kept for 3 years to avoid license and tag/registration suspension or to reinstate license and tag/registration after suspension.

So liability insurance for motorcycle is voluntary and not mandatory unless you have caused an accident but it is highly recommended to be purchased for your protection. If you plan to carry passengers it is also a good idea to see if you need extra insurance coverage for them.

Another confusing law is the Florida helmet law and how it relates to insurance. Since 2000, the state requires helmet use by riders under age 21 and anyone that does not carry a minimum of $10,000 medical insurance coverage. Ride safe, make a CHOICE and ride free...

Answer 4

In Florida, I live there also, insurance is not required on a motorcycle. If you finance it, the bank or dealer will require it to protect their money. If it's paid off, you don't have to have it.
Now, the thing. If you ride without a helmet, you are supposed to have 10,000 in medical insurance. Covers the cost of washing your brains off the road and the body bag.

Like was said earlier, if you have an accident and it's your fault, you are still liable for damage to the other people and property. Not having insurance won't get you out of that.

Answer 5

Insurance policies are different from state to state. However, every state I have lived in Motorcycles, unlike mopeds or scooters, are required by law to be insured. Even if they are for some reason not in your state, you would be dumb not to get it. Motorcycles are normally cheaper to insure, easier to damage and just as much to fix. In addition you're more likely to suffer an injury on the bike if wrecked than in a car.

Answer 6

I'm from Ohio and technically he's correct. In Ohio you need to show financial responsibility, most people do this by having insurance. In Ohio, you have the ability to post a $10,000 cash bond and not carry insurance. Now, if you in an accident and its more than $10000 and its your fault, stand by to get sued! But you can skip the insurance but who has 10 grand laying around that has to be held in a cash bond.


post note:
My mistake, looks like the requirement went up, this is from the Ohio BMV website, looks like you'll need 30 grand.
To comply with the FR requirements, Individuals must maintain one (1) of the following:

*

A motorist liability insurance policy. Insurance cards are issued by an insurer to the policy holder for each motor vehicle insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy;
*

A $30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or insurance company;
*

A certificate of proof of financial responsibility signed by an insurance agent on a form prescribed by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV);
*

A certificate issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, indicating that money or government bonds in the amount of $30,000 is on deposit with the Treasurer of State;
*

A certificate of bond issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, in the amount of $30,000 signed by two (2) individuals who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000;
*

A certificate of self-insurance issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, to those with more than 25 motor vehicles registered in their name or a company's name.

Answer 7

I can't answer for all states. But I know that most require insurance for any vehicle operated on the public roads.

In Wyoming you cannot even get your licence plate without proving that the vehicle is insured...that includes motorcycles.

Answer 8

i pick to advise you this website to get expenses - COVERCOMPARE.documents- RE bike coverage isn't required in florida. yet can i holiday a florida bike in Virginia? I stay in Florida and am making plans to get a bike license from Florida. yet i'm probable no longer likely to get coverage because of the fact it particularly is my first bike interior the U. S., and it particularly is going to be a 600 or a liter bike. (i've got in using in yet another united states of america, so i do have the journey, yet that would not count variety interior the U. S.). Florida doens't require me to have motorcylce insurace, yet will I even have the potential to holiday this bike occassionaly out of the state without coverage? Will I be limited to using interior the state?

Answer 9

It varies from state to state. Insurance is not mandatory for motorcycles in Florida, although it's certainly a good idea.

Answer 10

I know in California it is required. I have two bikes.
I don't know about other states, but if you have a lienholder on the bike (it is financed) they will definetly require it if your state does not