Best and Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance in Missouri for 2024

Missouri Motorcycle Insurance

Have you ever pictured yourself cruising across the United State on your motorcycle? Maybe riding through rolling hills along country roads? Or stopping to see the shining Gateway Arch as you head toward the Mississippi River? If so, Missouri is the state for you.

If you’re ready to ride your motorcycle in the Show-Me State, here’s what you need to know to do so safely and legally, including purchasing Missouri motorcycle insurance.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Missouri?

Motorcycle insurance is legally required in Missouri. In fact, bike riders must show proof of insurance before registering their vehicle.

Similar to most states, Missouri requires motorcyclists to carry the minimum coverage amounts of liability insurance. In order to drive your motorcycle in Missouri, you need to have at least the minimum coverage amount of liability insurance coverage required in Missouri, though many bikers choose to purchase more coverage above the minimum insurance requirements. The state’s minimum insurance requirements are:

• $25,000 for property damage,
• $25,000 for bodily injury per person,
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and
• $25,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident.

It’s important to keep in mind that having the minimum amount of coverage may not be enough in the event of a serious accident. It’s up to you to decide if you want higher coverage limits and additional coverage like collision or comprehensive, but it’s encouraged that all bikers consider these insurance coverages. Additional liability motorcycle insurance coverage above the state minimum limits would offer more protection for you and your assets if you’re found at fault for a motorcycle accident.

If you were to get into a motorcycle accident 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 for the damages and would have to pay out of your own pocket.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost in Missouri?

Several factors will help determine just how much you’ll pay for motorcycle insurance in Missouri. Your annual premiums will depend on where in the state you live, your age, the kind of bike you have, and more.

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 Missouri, including:

• Your age
• Your driving record
• Where you live in Missouri
• 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 Missouri?

Many motorcycle insurance coverage options work in the same way that car insurance coverage does. 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 Missouri.

Most motorcycle insurance companies in Missouri offer the following coverages:

• Liability insurance: Liability coverage is required in Missouri. 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, comprehensive motorcycle insurance 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. It would cover any medical payments for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

What are the optional motorcycle insurance coverages in Missouri?

In addition to the coverages that are in the list above, there are many other types of Missouri motorcycle insurance coverages for extra protection. You may be able to add the following coverages to your Missouri 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: 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. Roadside assistance could offer help for issues like a dead battery, a flat tire, and an unexpectedly empty gas tank, for example.
• Rental reimbursement: While your bike is getting fixed, you may need a rental in order to get around. Rental reimbursement coverage may allow you to get money back from your insurance company for a rental while your bike is being fixed from a covered accident.
• Replacement cost: 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 could 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 in Missouri: Lay-up insurance can come in handy if you live in a colder state and only drive your motorcycle seasonally while storing it away in the winter months. Lay-up motorcycle insurance allows you to keep your comprehensive coverage active while pausing your other coverages.

What to do with your Missouri motorcycle insurance in the winter?

Missouri doesn’t typically get a lot of snow, but it can get cold in the Show-Me State during the winter. If you’re not one of the hardy souls who enjoys riding in the freezing weather, you may want to pack your motorcycle away for the winter months and wait until spring hits before riding again. If you do so, you may be tempted to cancel your Missouri motorcycle insurance during the cold winter months, but doing so may not be the best idea.

Canceling your Missouri motorcycle insurance may seem like an easy way to save some 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 use your motorcycle since.

Lay-up insurance, which allows you to put a hold on certain parts of your insurance policy, may be a much better and safer option, depending on your needs. You can, for example, put a hold on your liability coverage while leaving your comprehensive coverage intact. If your insurance company does not offer this option, you may be able to save money by increasing your deductible during the motorcycle off season.

How to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Missouri

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Missouri, you may have a few options. Some car insurance companies allow policyholders to add motorcycle insurance to their car insurance policy as an endorsement or rider. You can choose to do this or 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 Missouri motorcycle insurance policies are typically more flexible and customizable and may even have more affordable insurance rates 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 Missouri, 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. Getting multiple quotes can help you find the best deal on motorcycle insurance. Motorcycle insurance rates in Missouri vary greatly by company.

Use the table at the top of this page to find the best motorcycle insurance companies in your zip code according to consumers. In this table, you can see which motorcycle insurance companies in Missouri 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.

What motorcycle insurance discounts are available in Missouri?

Many companies offer motorcycle insurance discounts to Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri motorcycle licensing laws?

In order to legally operate a motorcycle in Missouri, you must have a Class M motorcycle license or permit or a Class M endorsement on another Missouri driver’s license. You can apply for motorcycle instruction permit once you are 15.5 years of age and have successfully completed an approved motorcycle rider training course.

You’re also required to pass the Class F and Class M written, vision, and road sign tests and have written consent from a parent or guardian. Drivers over the age of 16 must also apply for a permit but can do so without taking the motorcycle rider training course. If you do not already have a driver’s license, you’ll have to take the Class F and Class M written tests.

To earn a Class M license or endorsement, you must take the motorcycle skills test and a knowledge test.

What are Missouri motorcycle laws?

Missouri requires all motorcyclists to wear proper gear, including an approved helmet and face or eye protection. Like most states, Missouri prohibits lane splitting, the practice of driving between lanes of slowed or stopped automobile traffic.

What's Missouri weather like for motorcyclists?

Missouri is known for hot, humid summers and chilly to cold winters. Like all states, the weather in Missouri will vary depending on just where in the state you are, especially in the winter. In the northern parts of Missouri, the temperatures often are in the teens and sometimes below freezing in the winter, but cold snaps and any snow don’t often last long. Summers can be hot and humid all across the state.

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

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 Missouri are derived entirely from customer reviews and ratings.