What Does Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance Cover?

You may have been riding bikes for a long time or just got your first one. You will need to know about the different types of coverage for your motorcycle insurance. To be exact, you're in the right place if you want to know what full coverage motorcycle insurance really means and what it covers. Full coverage insurance for your bike does more than just keep it safe. In fact, it protects you, your passengers, and other people on the road. Therefore, you can ride with peace of mind. Let's discuss in detail what full coverage motorcycle insurance covers. 

What Is Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance? 

Full coverage isn’t a term from the insurance textbook. There is no such coverage type. In fact, it’s an industry term used by insurers, policyholders, insurance agents, and motorcycle dealerships. Full coverage motorcycle insurance refers to a policy that covers not only minimum liability insurance requirements but also other necessary insurance coverages. 
 
The precise definition of full coverage motorcycle insurance policy is the combination of coverage including liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. This term is also widely used to describe other types of vehicle insurance as well. So, when a policyholder says, “full coverage”, they just mean extensive protections. 
 
However, the term is slightly misleading as well. Because the word “full” implies that a policy covers your motorcycle in all situations. Unfortunately, no policy covers everything. But if you need protection that covers more than state-mandated liability coverage, then full coverage is certainly the right option. It can pay for the repair or replacement costs for your bike if damaged in an accident or stolen. 

What Does Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance Cover? 

Full coverage motorcycle insurance is a broad type of insurance policy that offers extensive protection for various types of motorcycles. It usually includes the following three main types of coverages: 

• Liability Insurance Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Collision Coverage 

However, even if you’re living in one of the 12 no-fault states, then your full coverage motorcycle insurance doesn’t require Personal Injury Protection. It’s only applicable for car insurance. Let’s discuss all these full-coverage motorcycle insurance types in detail below to have a better understanding of what full-coverage bike insurance really covers.  

Liability Insurance Coverage 

Firstly, liability coverage is one of the key parts of the full coverage of motor vehicle insurance. It covers the costs if you’re at fault in an accident that causes injury to others or damages their property. Before you register your motorcycle and get a license plate, most states require you to have minimum liability coverage. 
 
Motorcycle liability insurance is mandatory in all states except Florida. It covers: 

• Bodily Injury (BI) Liability: Pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for others injured in an accident where you’re responsible for the accident.
• Property Damage (PD) Liability: Covers the costs of repairs or replacement of another party’s property damages in an accident you caused such as their bike or personal belongings.
• Legal Fees: Pays the legal costs if you’re sued for damages resulting from an accident. 

Each state has a different level of minimum liability coverage requirement for motorcycle insurance. For instance, if you are a resident of Texas, the minimum required liability coverage is 30/60/25. This means $30,000 for bodily injury (BI) per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. However, if you live in California, the minimum motorcycle liability coverage required by law is 15/30/5. This means $15,000 for BI per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage (PD).

Comprehensive Coverage

Secondly, your full coverage motorcycle insurance also includes comprehensive coverage. It provides extensive protection beyond basic liability insurance. This can help you pay for damage to your motorcycle that is not caused by a collision. So, if you need protection for non-collision-related incidents, comprehensive coverage that comes under a full coverage motorcycle insurance policy, can help you financially. 
 
A comprehensive motorcycle insurance covers you for: 

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Fire
• Natural Disasters (such as Floods, Hurricanes)
• Falling Objects (Like Falling Trees) 

For example: if your bike is stolen or damaged in a storm, comprehensive coverage will help cover the repair or replacement costs. Both liability and collision coverage won’t cover you in these situations. Some riders often ask, “Does full coverage motorcycle insurance cover theft?” The answer is YES. Since your full coverage includes a comprehensive coverage option, it will certainly cover you if your bike gets stolen.

Collision Coverage

Thirdly, motorcycle collision coverage is another main component of full coverage motorcycle insurance. This pays you if your motorcycle is damaged by hitting another vehicle or object, such as a guardrail, fence, or tree.  
 
Besides, collision coverage typically includes a collision deductible. This is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. For instance, if you have a $1000 deductible and repair costs are $3,000, you’ll pay $1000, and your insurance will cover the remaining $2,000.

Does Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance Include Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

In states that have no-fault insurance, full coverage car insurance includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP). However, your PIP and Property Protection (PPI) are excluded from motorcycle insurance policies. This is why the residents of no-fault insurance states only have to carry liability coverage for bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD).   
 
There are 12 no-fault insurance states: 

1. Florida
2. Hawaii
3. Kansas
4. Kentucky
5. Utah
6. Michigan
7. Minnesota
8. Massachusetts
9. New Jersey
10. New York
11. North Dakota
12. Pennsylvania 

Note that under full coverage auto insurance, PIP ensures that every rider gets medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and even funeral costs up to their policy limits. Also, PIP may cover services like childcare and household chores if the rider is unable to perform them due to injury. If you do feel that you need PIP coverage on your motorcycle insurance, talk to your insurance provider. Though it’s not a state-mandated policy for motorbikes, some insurers may offer to purchase them separately.

Learn More: Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Medical Bills? 

What Is Not Covered by Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance? 

So far, you have learned what full coverage insurance covers. However, as a conscious rider, knowing what it doesn’t cover is also important. It’s true that full coverage motorcycle insurance policy provides broader protection, but it doesn’t cover everything. For example: it typically excludes wear and tear on your motorcycle, such as tire or brake replacements.  
 
Besides, electrical breakdowns due to lack of maintenance aren’t covered. While liability, collision, and comprehensive are included, full coverage excludes custom parts or accessories unless you add them to your motorcycle insurance policy separately. Also, you will probably need additional coverage for expensive gear or upgrades. 
 
Furthermore, intentional damage or accidents caused by illegal activities like racing, are not covered. In many states, full coverage also doesn’t include uninsured motorists (UM), underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), or personal injury protection (PIP) unless you purchase separately. Uninsured or underinsured motorcycle insurance financially helps in case you’re hit by a rider who has no auto insurance or doesn’t have sufficient insurance. 
 
Lastly, full coverage motorcycle policy doesn’t cover optional add-ons like roadside assistance and towing services. Keeping these exclusions in mind ensures you have the right protection. 
 
Didn’t read what is excluded from the full coverage motorcycle insurance plan? 
Here’s a TL; DR: 

• Wear and Tear (e.g., flat tire or brake replacement)
• Mechanical Breakdown
• Intentional Damage (e.g., racing)
• Commercial Purposes (In that case you need commercial vehicle insurance)
• Uninsured Motorists (UM)/ Underinsured Motorists Coverage (UIM)
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Roadside Assistance and Towing Services
• Optional Add-Ons (e.g., coverage for custom parts, accessories, and safety gear like helmets and jackets) 

How Much Do I Have to Pay for Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance? 

Full coverage motorcycle insurance can be 10 times more expensive than your minimum coverage plan. It’s not possible to say the exact amount for insuring a motorcycle for a full coverage policy since the price varies widely depending on several factors.  

Most of the time, policyholders pay roughly between $396 and $1000 per year for full coverage motorcycle insurance. MarketWatch study from August 2024 shows that full coverage motorcycle insurance costs around $79 a month, or $948 a year. Usually, the exact price depends on where you live, what kind of motorbike you have (standard, sport bike, touring bike, scooter, etc.), your driving history, how much coverage you choose, and any discounts you qualify for. 

Besides, if you live in states with higher traffic density or higher accident rates, such as California or Florida, you’ll face expensive premiums. You can compare motorcycle insurance costs by state, age, motorcycle type, and other factors and lower your premiums by following specific tips.

Do You Have to Have Full Coverage on a Motorcycle? 

Full coverage motorcycle insurance is not mandatory. But it’s highly recommended. Legally, motorcycle riders need to insure motorcycles for a minimum amount of liability insurance in all states except Florida. However, full coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance, is optional. 
 
Choosing full coverage motorcycle insurance is beneficial in case you want to protect your motorcycle from a wider range of risks, such as theft, vandalism, or damage from collision-related incidents, regardless of who is responsible for the accident. Also, if you finance your motorcycle, the lender may require full coverage until the loan is paid off. Otherwise, it all depends on your preference and financial situation whether to buy a full coverage policy for your bike.

What Coverage Should I Get for Motorcycle Insurance?

You can get any kind of motorcycle insurance coverage you want. However, you must carry the state-mandated coverage for your bike. But if you want to buy cheap motorcycle insurance, you should first think about your needs and the minimum requirements in your state. If you're at fault in an accident, you need liability insurance to pay for the injuries to other people and damage to their property. You should also think about getting full coverage insurance, which includes both comprehensive and collision coverage if you want a high level of safety. 
 
In a no-fault state, on the other hand, you are required by law to have PIP coverage, which usually pays for medical bills and lost wages. Uninsured and underinsured motorists also pose a risk. Because either they don't have insurance, or their insurance is so insufficient that it barely covers the accident-related costs. That's why getting Uninsured/Underinsured motorists (UI/UIM) is also a wise decision. Lastly, to handle unexpected situations on the road promptly, you can go for roadside assistance and accessories coverage as well. This will surely give you extra peace of mind.

Is It Worth Getting Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance?

It's worth getting full coverage motorbike insurance if you have a valuable bike or ride frequently. It protects against a variety of risks, including accidents, theft, and damage. And surely, to get such comprehensive protection, it’s worth paying some extra bucks.  
However, here are some questions to consider when deciding if it’s worth getting full-coverage motorcycle insurance: 

• How valuable is your motorcycle and could you afford to replace it if it were totaled?
• Do you live in an area with high rates of theft or accidents?
• How often do you ride your motorcycle, and in what conditions?
• Do you have a loan on your motorcycle that requires full coverage as part of the terms?
• Can you afford to repair or replace your bike out of your pocket? 

L.A. Insurance provides the most affordable full-coverage motorcycle insurance services. We make sure every bike rider gets the protection they need at the cheapest rates. So far, L.A. Insurance stands out as a Cheap insurance agency for motorcyclists.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, full coverage motorcycle insurance offers extensive protection including covering liability, collision, and liability coverage. In some states, it may include personal injury protection as well. While it may not cover everything, it certainly ensures the much-needed financial security for your bike. For affordable full coverage options, we recommend comparing motorcycle insurance quotes and reaching out to an experienced and reliable insurance agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Different Types of Motorcycle Insurance Coverage? 

Ans: Motorcycle insurance comes in various coverages. These coverages can protect you from liabilities, damages, and other risks associated with riding a motorcycle. Here are the different types of motorcycle insurance coverages: 

• Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
• Property Damage Liability Coverage
• Medical Payment (MedPay) Coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage
• Towing and Labor Coverage
• Guest Passenger Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
• Loan Gap Coverage
• Added Equipment Coverage 

Why Is Full Coverage Motorcycle Insurance So Expensive? 

Ans: Full coverage insurance can be significantly expensive compared to minimum liability coverage. Because it includes multiple protections, like liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. These coverages can protect you and your motorcycle from various risks such as theft, vandalism, weather damage, and other accident-related costs. Besides, your full coverage insurance for a motorcycle can be expensive due to your age, location, and the type of motorcycle you ride. 

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Helmets? 

Ans: In most cases, it depends on the insurers. Typically, your standard motorcycle liability insurance doesn’t cover helmets. However, if you have optional or added equipment coverage, your helmet and other riding gear may be covered. So, review your policy or you can use add-on options to extend your coverage plan.