What Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover in California? - FAQ
In this article you can read about various aspects of motorcycle insurance coverage in California, addressing questions like whether insurance covers drops, helmets, medical payments, passengers, rental bikes and cars, theft, towing, and track days. By understanding the scope of different coverage options, you can make informed decisions when choosing a policy that best suits your needs and offers adequate protection. Speak with a California-licensed agent for more details.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Drops in California?
Yes, motorcycle insurance in California covers drops if you are on a comprehensive motorcycle (full coverage) or collision coverage. Liability-only (state minimum) coverage does not cover drops. Typically damages from motorcycle drops are minimal if the drop is slow and stationary, but it can still result in several thousands of dollars in damage. Such damages may be in the form of broken and bent parts, damaged headlamps, tail lights, or scratched chrome and plastic and may be inexpensive to repair. Before you file a claim for motorcycle drop damages, compare the cost of repairs with your deductible to help you decide if filing a claim is worth it. If you sustain serious injuries from the drop, your PIP policy will cover your treatment.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Helmets in California?
Yes, motorcycle insurance companies offer helmet insurance as an optional coverage that you can add to your standard motorcycle insurance - typically for an additional fee, even though some insurers add this coverage at no additional cost to all comprehensive (full coverage) motorcycle policies. Considering that an average motorcycle helmet costs $500-$800, you may want to ask your agent to add this coverage, especially if its free.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Medical in California?
Yes, motorcycle insurance covers medical payments. In California, you must have a minimum of $5,000 in medical payment coverage. Your medical payment coverage covers injuries you or your passenger sustain in an accident, but not those you cause to others (this is covered by your bodily injury liability coverage). Motorcycle medical payment coverage is an inexpensive coverage you can add to your policy to pay for a variety of health insurance out-of-pocket payments like
- Co-payments
- Health insurance deductibles
- Prescription drugs
- Dental treatments
- Home care
- Psychiatric visits, and
- Funeral expenses
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Passengers in California?
Typically, standard motorcycle insurance in California does not cover passengers. Motorcycle insurance passenger coverage is optional, and you need to buy it as additional liability coverage. In an at-fault accident, you will be responsible for the injuries sustained by your passengers. Your motorcycle insurance policy may not include guest passenger liability coverage. To insure yourself against injuries to your passengers, you need to add ‘other riders’ liability coverage to your standard motorcycle insurance to pay for treatments they sustain in an accident.
Discuss how to add optional coverage that will protect you against injuries to your passengers with your CA-licensed motorcycle insurance agent.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Rental Bikes in California?
No, your motorcycle insurance does not cover rental bikes, but you can get optional rental bike coverage from some insurance companies in California. To be sure of what protection you have, take the time to go through your contract. Also, if you are still unclear about your coverage, contact your motorcycle insurance agent for further information.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Rental Cars in California?
No, unlike auto insurance, a motorcycle insurance policy does not cover rental cars. If you have a full coverage auto insurance policy - it will cover the rental car. If you do not - you will need to buy a separate rental car coverage offered by the rental car company.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Theft in California?
Yes, motorcycle insurance covers theft if you have a comprehensive (full coverage) motorcycle insurance policy. If the bike is stolen and not recovered, the insurance company treats the claim as a total loss and pays out the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the motorcycle. If the bike is recovered (as it happens with around 56% of bike thefts), it is assessed for possible repairs. If the needed repairs exceed 75% of the bike’s ACV - the bike is typically totalled.
In 2021, over 9,000 motorcycles were stolen across California. Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, and Harley-Davidson accounted for 78% of all motorcycle theft in the U.S. in 2021.
Speak with a Ca-licensed motorcycle insurance agent to get cheap comprehensive motorcycle insurance for maximum coverage.
Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Towing in California?
Yes, motorcycle insurance covers towing if you have roadside assistance and labor coverage. Without insurance, an average tow of a motorcycle in California will cost $100 or more. Roadside assistance coverage is optional and typically pays for the following services:
- Towing (up to a limited distance as stated in the contract)
- Minor mechanical repairs
- Flat repairs
- Locksmith (if you lost your keys and need to start the bike)
- Fuel delivery
- Dead battery
You can add motorcycle roadside assistance coverage to your insurance to protect you from out-of-pocket payments if your bike breaks down and you need to move it.
Does California Motorcycle Insurance Cover Track Days?
Most insurance companies offering motorcycle insurance in California do not include track-day coverage in regular motorcycle insurance policy. However, some insurers may make an exemption if such races are conducted in the public interest. For instance, a motorcycle insurance company may provide coverage if such races are for educational purposes in an institution of learning or public awareness.
If track day insurance is required by the event organizers and your existing policy does not offer it, you may need to engage specialized track day insurers that offer day-long policies that can be used at any of the state’s popular tracks, like: Laguna Seca, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, or Willow Springs.
Typically, track-day motorcycle coverage can be purchased for:
- Damage to the bike during shipping to the event
- Personal injuries to you at the event
- Physical damage to your bike during the track-day event
- Towing and cleanup after a crash
- Property Damage to your property (other than the bike: tools, computers, etc.)
- Theft of the bike
- General Liability
- Professional Liability for instructors
- Excess (Umbrella) Liability
Speak with California-licensed motorcycle insurance professionals to find out how to add track days coverage to your motorcycle insurance plan.
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