Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania

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Contributor, Benzinga
October 27, 2020

Across the United States, motorcycle insurance is required for most riders. If you are an active driver and rider living in Pennsylvania, you want to ensure you have the best motorcycle insurance in the state. This will protect you from costly injuries and damages. Unlike homeowners insurance, motorcycle insurance covers any damages you may cause to someone else. Pennsylvania, also requires all drivers and riders to wear a helmet unless they are older than 2 and have 2 or more years of riding experience. These laws are designed to protect not only the driver and rider but everyone else on the road.

What is the Best Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania?

When you are determining which insurance is the best fit for you, a few of the top factors to consider are the quality of customer service and prices. It also would help you tremendously if you knew the financial strength of all the agencies you are researching. The key is to look at the complaint index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC combines auto and motorcycle insurance into a single industry category. Complaint indexes are based on each company’s premium dollars for motorcycles and cars.

Best Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania

Types of Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania Explained

Residents of Pennsylvania are required to obtain a motorcycle operator’s license. Failing to adhere to these laws may result in you being forced to abandon your motorcycle and have it towed.

If you are planning on operating your motorcycle on the roads, Pennsylvania state laws mandate that you carry adequate motorcycle and car insurance. The state minimum insurance requires:

  • Property damage liability as a minimum of $5,000 coverage
  • Bodily injury liability as a minimum of $15,000 for individuals and $30,000 for multiple persons

The average annual rate with a clean driving record is $661. 

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Insurance: An Overview

Planning to operate your motorcycle on public roads and highways in Pennsylvania? State laws mandate that you carry adequate motorcycle insurance coverage. 

  • State minimum insurance requirements:
    • Property damage liability: Coverage minimum of $5,000 
    • Bodily injury liability: Minimum of $15,000 (individual), $30,000 (multiple)
  • Average annual rate with a clean driving record: $661 

PA Motorcycle Insurance Law Explained

Pennsylvania laws require that motorcycle operators obtain a license. If you're caught breaking the law, you may have to abandon your motorcycle and have it towed.

There are also strict laws regarding motorcyclists and headgear. If you are under 21, you are required to wear protective headgear when driving or riding on a motorcycle, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Protective eye gear is also required.

The same rule applies if you are over 21 unless you have 2 years of riding experience. You may also be exempt for the headgear requirement if you have recently completed a motorcycle safety course. The class must be approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or PennDOT. 

PA Motorcycle Insurance Rates per Bike

Many variables go into insurance premium calculations — an essential factor is the type of motorcycle you’re seeking coverage for. Insurance providers consider the class of the bike, along with the engine size when coming up with premiums. Expect to pay more if your bike is a high-performance model since they are at more risk for an accident than touring models, notes Progressive.com. 

Other factors considered by motorcycle providers include location, driving history, credit rating and intended usage. They also factor the amount of your deductible, or the price you’ll pay before your policy kicks in, and coverage levels into the equation to reach a final figure. 

The good news is that you may qualify for motorcycle insurance discounts, regardless of bike type. Common discounts include:

  • Association discounts: An affiliation with select associations could make you eligible for a discount on your premiums. 
  • Built-in safety features: If your motorcycle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system, the insurer may extend a discount. 
  • Bundle discounts: These are available to customers who carry multiple policies from a single provider.
  • Safe driving discounts: You may qualify if an extended period has passed since you filed a claim. 

Motorcycle Insurance Quotes

CompanyQuote for a 1-Year PolicyPrice Rating
GEICO $1,1625.0
Westfield $4783.0
Dairyland $8415.0
Progressive $7583.0
Harley Davidson Insurance$5482.0

Motorcycle Insurance Discounts

CompanyDiscounts OfferedOverall Rating
GEICOTransfer discount, multiple bike discount, loyalty discount, homeowner discount, anti-theft discount, safety course discount5.0
Westfield Varies by policy3.3
DairylandMultiple bike discount, loyalty discount, riding group discount, safety course discount4.7
Progressive Transfer discount, multiple bike discount, homeowner discount, claims-free discount, anti-lock brake discount, motorcycle driver’s license discount4.3
Harley Davidson InsuranceMultiple bike discount, loyalty discount, riding group discount, claims-free discount, anti-theft discount, safety course discount3.7

Best Motorcycle Insurance Providers in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania motorcycle insurance market is quite competitive. So, we’ve taken the guesswork out of finding the right insurance provider by compiling a list for you. Our selections are from reputable, highly-rated providers that offer competitive premiums, discounts and customizable plans. So you can easily find and purchase a policy that meets your needs. 

Below are Benzinga’s top picks for the best motorcycle insurance companies in Pennsylvania. 

Westfield
securely through Westfield's website

1. Most Affordable in PA: Westfield Insurance

Looking for an affordable motorcycle insurance plan that provides flexible, high-quality coverage? Consider a policy from Westfield to help keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. 

On average, policyholders pay $478 annually for coverage in Pennsylvania. And they give you the option to customize a policy that best suits your needs. Your premiums could be more or less, depending on the coverage you select. 

Dairyland Motorcycle Insurance
Best For
  • Affordable coverage

2. Best for Discounts: Dairyland

With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Dairyland is another affordable option if you’re looking for motorcycle insurance in Pennsylvania. It holds a 4.5-star rating from Trustpilot.

But where it really shines is in the incentives category. Here are some discounts you could qualify for as a Dairyland policyholder: 

  • Multiple bike discount if you elect to cover more than 1 motorcycle under the policy.
  • Loyalty discount if you carry coverage with the provider for an extended period. 
  • Riding group discount if you’re affiliated with select associations. 
  • Safety course discount if you successfully complete select motorcycle operator training or safety classes. 

Request a free online quote in just minutes. And be sure to ask a dedicated customer service representative if you qualify for any of these incentives or others that may not be advertised. 

Progressive
Best For
  • Drivers with consistently good driving habits

3. Best for Policy Offerings: Progressive

Dubbed as a top provider of motorcycle insurance by Millward-Brown, Progressive offers an array of policies to fit your needs and budget. It extends coverage on cruisers, custom bikes, dirt bikes, sportbikes, touring bikes, vintage bikes, scooters and mopeds. 

Even better, you have the option to customize your policy. So you can add the coverages you really need and ditch the rest. And you may be eligible for discounts to help curb the cost of your premiums.

You should also know that it uses OEM parts on motorcycle repairs. So, you can rest assured that your bike will be in good hands and repaired correctly if you’re ever in an accident. 

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Insurance
Best For
  • Comprehensive coverage/Business Owners' Policy

4. Best for Holistic Coverage: Harley Davidson Insurance

Consider Harley Davidson Insurance for affordable, all-inclusive motorcycle coverage. It offers bodily injury, property damage liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, collision and comprehensive coverages to keep you protected at all times. Policies also include personal injury projection, guest passenger liability, total loss replacement, custom parts, accessories, helmet and OEM coverage. 

As a policyholder, you’ll receive exceptional perks, like accessories coverage, 5-star customer service and accident forgiveness for your 1st incident. You may also qualify for a host of discounts. 

How to Compare the Best Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania

Comparing motorcycle insurance in Pennsylvania involves doing some research on your end. This isn’t a challenging feat. You can easily look online to request a quote, call an insurance agency and ask to speak to a representative or, if you are really determined, you can set up a time to meet in person with an agent. Because you might be crunched on time, Benzinga did some early research for you. You can see in the table below quotes for 1-year policies and the ratings Benzinga gave on price ranges.

How to Buy the Best Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s motorcycle insurance market is quite unique and competitive at the same time. Benzinga has eliminated the guesswork on your end by compiling a list of the top insurance providers. If you prefer to do the legwork on your own, go right ahead, because after all who knows what you like best other than you! When you begin the process of searching for motorcycle insurance, keep an open mind, do your research and ask for quotes. If you still have questions don’t hesitate to reach out to an agent who will be more than willing to assist you through the process. 

Best Motorcycle Insurance Providers in Pennsylvania  

Shopping for motorcycle insurance in Pennsylvania doesn't have to be hard. You can start by exploring your options from our top picks. Simply enter your ZIP code, and you’ll receive competitive quotes in minutes. It’s free to use the online tool. And there’s no obligation to move forward if the options don’t work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Do you have to have full coverage on motorcycles?

A

In Pennsylvania, it is mandatory that you carry insurance on your motorcycle. You are, however, given flexibility in deciding what company works best for you and your needs. Your selected plan is still obligated to meet the minimum state requirements. Motorcycle insurance has to follow the 15/30/5 plan: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. There are no laws in Pennsylvania that require a driver to carry the maximum coverage, which helps if you are on a tight budget. You do want to ensure you have a plan in the event of an emergency.

 

Q

How do you determine the average cost of motorcycle insurance?

A

Just as is the case with an insurance policy for a passenger vehicle, there is no uniform answer to the question of the average cost of motorcycle insurance. It is difficult to calculate the average cost of motorcycle insurance, but it is still good to know there are some factors that will influence the price of an insurance policy. Typically, these elements include the state in which you reside, your age, previous driving record, type of motorcycle you drive and where you store your motorcycle in the off-riding season. 

 

Money-saving Motorcycle Insurance

Harley-Davidson Insurance Services provides services as a trusted motorcycle insurance agency that knows all about the motorcycle lifestyle. The company stands behind its policies with industry-leading services, coverage and support. You’ll also get money-saving motorcycle insurance discounts and experienced customer service and claims support. 

You can get Harley-Davidson Insurance today with a free, quick quote.