Best and Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance in Colorado: Companies, Coverage Options and Cost in 2024

Colorado is filled with snow-capped mountains, long and open roads next to scenic plains, mesas, canyons, and ghost towns. If this sounds like the perfect backdrop for your next motorcycle ride, it may be time to head to Colorado. The Centennial State is known for its gorgeous scenery, and more and more motorcycle riders are taking notice. Colorado is one of the most coveted motorcycle destinations in the U.S., according to motorcycleroads.com.

If you’re ready to hit the road and ride your motorcycle in the Centennial State, there are steps you must take to do so safely and legally, including purchasing motorcycle insurance for your bike in Colorado. Safety gear will only do so much for you and your passenger, should you be traveling with someone else.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Colorado?

Colorado has mandatory insurance requirements for all drivers, including motorcyclists. The state requires motorcycle drivers to purchase liability insurance with the following minimums:

$15,000 for property damage liability,
$25,000 for bodily injury liability for each injured person, and
$50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident.

It’s important to keep in mind that those minimums may not provide enough coverage in the event of an accident. It’s up to you to decide if you want higher coverage limits and additional coverage like collision or comprehensive, but it’s often recommended that all bikers consider these insurance coverages. Additional liability motorcycle insurance coverage would offer more protection to you and your assets if you’re found at fault for an accident.

If you were to get into an accident with your motorcycle and you didn’t have collision coverage, you’d be on your own to pay for the damages to your bike. Likewise, if your bike were damaged by a fire or severe weather and you didn’t have comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage, you wouldn’t be covered with your motorcycle insurance for the damages so you’d have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace your bike. You may also want to consider medical coverage, in case you're concerned for yourself and any passenger you may have with you at the time.

This typically does not change no matter what type of motorcycle you have. Custom bikes or touring bikes, it doesn't matter, you'll still need motorcycle coverage. The price and type of motorcycle policy you need may change, but actually having the coverage is necessary.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost in Colorado?

The amount of money that a motorcycle insurance policy costs in Colorado depends in large part on where in the state you live. Insuring a motorcycle in Denver could cost more than what you’d pay if you live in a more rural part of the state. Other factors, including the bike you have and your age, also will determine how much or how little you pay for motorcycle insurance in Colorado.

For example, if you’re an experienced rider, you may pay around $500 per year for motorcycle insurance, but if you’re a new driver, you should expect to pay more for motorcycle insurance. Likewise, if you have a luxury motorcycle of high value, your premium could be more than $1,000 per year.

There are many factors that affect the cost of motorcycle insurance in Colorado, including:

Your age
Your driving record
Where you live in Colorado
Where you store your bike
Your motorcycle - type of bike and age
If your motorcycle has any modifications
How much you drive each year (seasonal or full time)
Your deductible
The motorcycle insurance company you choose - get 3+ quotes to find the best price for your needs

What are the motorcycle insurance coverage options in Colorado?

Many motorcycle insurance coverage options work in the same way that car insurance coverage does in that there are various types of insurance, and you need to find what best fits you and your bike. If you’re leasing or financing your bike, you’ll likely be required by your lender to purchase collision and comprehensive protection in addition to any other coverages required by the state of Colorado.

Most motorcycle insurance companies in Colorado offer the following coverages:

Liability insurance: Liability coverage is a required motorcycle insurance coverage in Colorado. There are two forms of liability coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
- Bodily injury liability covers injury or death to other people in an accident that you caused while on your motorcycle.
- Property damage liability covers damage that you caused to another person’s property, such as their car.
- Motorcycle insurance liability also covers legal expenses in case you are sued. Liability doesn’t cover injury to you or damage to your motorcycle. This coverage doesn’t have a deductible.
Collision insurance: Motorcycle insurance collision coverage protects your bike if it were damaged in a collision with another vehicle. In the event that you’re in an at-fault accident in which your motorcycle is damaged, your motorcycle insurance company would cover the cost of damages, up to your policy’s limit, after you paid your deductible.
Comprehensive insurance: Motorcycle insurance comprehensive coverage protects your motorcycle from damages not caused by a collision. Comprehensive covers damages from fire, theft, vandalism and anything else not caused by a car accident, such as severe weather like a flood or hail. Similar to collision coverage, your motorcycle insurance company would cover the cost of damage, up to your policy’s limit, after you paid your deductible
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers on the road who either don’t have insurance or don’t have enough insurance coverage. If you get into an accident with someone who is uninsured or underinsured, this coverage may help pay for medical treatment, lost wages and damage to your bike. Exactly what this coverage would pay for may vary based on your policy.
Medical payments: Medical payments coverage pays for medical payments from injuries to you or any of your passengers in an accident while you were on your motorcycle. Medical payments motorcycle insurance coverage is not available in all states. If you have health insurance, you may not need this coverage. If you don’t have health insurance or you don’t have enough health insurance coverage, medical payments coverage would be useful.
Personal injury protection: Some states require drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance. This coverage is used instead of medical payments coverage in some states. It would cover medical payments for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

Are there optional motorcycle insurance coverages in Colorado?

In addition to the standard coverage options listed above, there are also optional coverage options available. You may be able to add any of these coverages to your Colorado motorcycle insurance policy.

Coverage for customized motorcycle parts: Most of the time, standard collision and comprehensive coverages don’t cover motorcycle parts that aren’t factory parts. For example, if you replaced your factory fenders with custom fenders, they may not be covered under a standard collision and comprehensive policy. If you’ve modified your bike with customized motorcycle parts and accessories, you may be able to add coverage for the customized parts to your policy, depending on your motorcycle insurance company. Coverage for customized motorcycle parts would protect your after-market purchases.
Motorcycle trailer coverage: If you have a trailer for your motorcycle, make sure to ask your motorcycle insurance company about coverage for your transport trailer. Many companies offer coverage for your trailer for up to $7,500.
Roadside assistance in Colorado: Roadside assistance provides you with service in the event that you experience a bike mechanical or electrical malfunction. It may even include towing in some cases. With roadside assistance, you could get help for various issues including if your motorcycle ran out of gas, has a dead battery, has a flat tire and so on.
Rental reimbursement in Colorado: While your motorcycle is getting fixed, you may need a rental in order to get around. Rental reimbursement coverage will allow you to get money back from your insurance company for a rental while your bike is being repaired from a covered accident.
Replacement cost in Colorado: You have the option to choose replacement cost coverage or actual cash value coverage for your bike if it’s a total loss.
- Actual cash value (ACV): ACV would give you a payout of the value of your bike at the time of its loss. Actual cash value would take into consideration the depreciation of your motorcycle.
- Replacement cost coverage: If you want more coverage, you can choose to have replacement cost coverage which may pay out enough for you to get a new bike. Talk with your motorcycle insurance company when you purchase a policy to find out which option is best for your bike.
Lay-up motorcycle insurance for Colorado motorcyclists: Lay-up insurance could come in handy if you live in Colorado and only drive your motorcycle seasonally while storing it away in the winter months. Lay-up motorcycle insurance would allow you to keep your comprehensive coverage active while pausing your other coverages.

What should you do for the winter?

Colorado’s mountains and abundant snowfall make the state a paradise for lovers of outdoor winter sports. And some motorcyclists love the scenery that winter in Colorado provides. If you aren’t one of those hardy souls, you may want to pack your motorcycle away for the winter months and wait until the Colorado spring hits before riding again. If you do so, you may be tempted to cancel your Colorado motorcycle insurance during the winter months, but doing so may not be the best idea.

Canceling your Colorado motorcycle insurance in the winter may seem like an easy way to save money, but it could end up costing you in the long run. If something should happen to your bike, say a fire, theft, or vandalism, you wouldn’t be covered. Or if there were an expectedly warm day and you wanted to ride your bike, you wouldn't be able to because motorcycle insurance is required in Colorado.

An option to consider is lay-up insurance, which allows you to put a hold on certain parts of your insurance policy. You can, for example, put a hold on your liability coverage while leaving your comprehensive coverage intact, so that you have the types of coverage active that would protect your bike against anything happening to it while it was stationary and in the garage. If your insurance company does not offer the option of lay-up motorcycle insurance, you may be able to save money by increasing your deductible during the motorcycle off season.

How can you find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Colorado?

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Colorado, you may have a few options while you're looking for affordable rates. Some car insurance companies allow policyholders to add motorcycle insurance to their car insurance policy as an endorsement or rider. You may choose to do this or you may purchase a separate motorcycle insurance policy.

Be aware that if you add your motorcycle to your car insurance policy as an endorsement or rider, you may be restricted in the coverage options you have. Standalone Colorado motorcycle insurance policies are typically more flexible and customizable and may even be more affordable in some cases. Make sure to evaluate all your options to find the best one for you.

In order to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Colorado, you’ll want to shop around. You should get motorcycle insurance quotes from multiple companies so you can compare motorcycle insurance cost and coverage options. Motorcycle insurance rates in Colorado vary greatly by company.

Use the table at the top of this page to find highest-rated motorcycle insurance companies in your zip code. In this table, you can see which motorcycle insurance companies in Colorado customers say are the best. You can sort through companies and find the ones from which you want to get quotes.

If you want to read customer reviews of the company, click the company name in the table and you will be directed to the company’s profile page containing information about the company and reviews.

Are there any motorcycle insurance discounts in Colorado?

Many companies offer motorcycle insurance discounts to Colorado residents to help you save money on coverage for your bike. You can receive discounts based on you and your motorcycle. Discounts vary by company and eligibility. The following motorcycle insurance discounts are commonly offered.

Multi-policy discount: If you insure your motorcycle with a company with which you already have a policy for another line of insurance, you may qualify for a bundling discount. This discount may apply if you insure your motorcycle along with your car, home, apartment, condo, boat or RV with the same company.
Multiple motorcycles discount: Some motorcycle insurance companies offer a discount if you insure more than one motorcycle with the same company on the same Colorado insurance policy.
Biker group discount: Many motorcycle insurance companies offer biker group discounts or riding association discounts if you’re a member of certain motorcycle organizations. Some examples of motorcycle organizations include the American Motorcycle Association and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Mature riders discount: If you’ve had your motorcycle insurance for a certain number of years, your motorcycle insurance company may offer you this discount.
Safe driver discount: You may qualify for a safe driver motorcycle insurance discount if you’ve been motorcycle insurance claim free for a number of years.
Safety and security discounts: If your motorcycle has certain safety and security features, such as anti-lock brakes or an anti-theft device, you may be eligible for a discount.
Motorcycle safety course discount: If you take a motorcycle safety course to educate yourself, your motorcycle insurance company may offer you a discount on your insurance.
Renewal discount: If you renew your motorcycle insurance policy, you may be rewarded with a discount.
Transfer discount: Some motorcycle insurance companies offer a discount to bikers who switch or transfer their motorcycle insurance to them.

What are the Colorado motorcycle licensing laws?

Colorado does not issue motorcycle-only driver’s licenses; your only option is to add a motorcycle endorsement to a valid Colorado driver’s license. In order to add the motorcycle endorsement, you have two options.

The first option is take a written motorcycle exam, purchase a motorcycle instruction permit, and then schedule and pass a road test. The second option is to complete a state-approved Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) course.

Successful completion of this course allows you to bypass the written and road tests. Anyone under the age of 18 must hold a motorcycle permit for at least 12 months before adding the motorcycle endorsement to their Colorado license.

Are there any required laws in Colorado?

Colorado requires motorcycle drivers and passengers under the age of 18 to wear helmets at all times Drivers and passengers over 18 can opt out of wearing a helmet, though helmets are very important protection equipment to wear when riding a motorcycle. Eye protection is required for all drivers and passengers, whether or not the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.

Colorado does not have an age restriction on motorcycle passengers but does require the bike in question to have footrests for passengers.

Colorado motorcycle laws prohibit lane splitting, the practice of driving between lanes of slowed or stopped automobile traffic. Motorcyclists in Colorado are allowed to ride two abreast in a single lane of traffic, though.

What is the weather like for motorcyclists traveling to Colorado?

Colorado is one of the snowiest states in the U.S., averaging almost 70 inches per year across the state (and possibly even more in some of the mountain towns and ski resorts). Overall, Colorado is known for having a cool climate, but the state’s varied geography makes it hard to generalize.

In the east, Colorado has plains, while the central and western parts of the state are known for valleys and mountains. The weather can change drastically from one area to the next, no matter what season it is.

How does Clearsurance rate and rank the best motorcycle insurance companies in Colorado?

Consistent with its mission towards greater transparency, Clearsurance does not keep its rating and ranking formulas in a black box. Our algorithm analyzes a range of inputs from our independent community of insurance customers, including:

Price
Customer Service
Claim service
Likelihood to renew

The algorithm also takes into account the percentage of what customers say the company does well vs. the percentage of what customers say the company could do better.

The Clearsurance customer ratings and rankings of the best motorcycle insurance in Colorado are derived entirely from customer reviews and ratings.

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