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

Ohio motorcycle insurance

If I told you that Ohio was home to more motorcycles than all but two other states, would you be surprised? Perhaps. But maybe you shouldn’t be: The Buckeye state has some incredibly scenic roads and some motorcycle-friendly laws that have made it very popular with bikers. That’s likely why there are more than 409,000 motorcycles registered in Ohio, according to Statista.com – putting the state behind only California and Florida for motorcycle ownership.

If you’re ready to hit the road and ride your motorcycle in Ohio, there are steps you must take to do so safely and legally, including purchasing Ohio motorcycle insurance.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Ohio?

The state of Ohio has mandatory insurance requirements for all drivers, including motorcyclists. Motorcycle insurance is required in the state of Ohio and you must show proof of insurance before registering your bike. But even though it's mandatory, motorcycle coverage in Ohio can be quite affordable.

Similar to automobiles, the state requires motorcycle drivers to purchase at least liability insurance with the following minimums:

• $25,000 for property damage,
• $25,000 for bodily injury per person, and
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident (two or more people).

It’s important to keep in mind that the state minimums are just that: minimums. This amount may not provide enough coverage in the event of a serious accident, which is why it’s often recommended that motorcyclists purchase more coverage than the state minimum.

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 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 out of your own pocket. Likewise, if your bike were damaged by a fire or severe weather and you didn’t have comprehensive Ohio motorcycle insurance coverage, you wouldn’t be covered for the damages and would have to pay to repair or replace your bike on your own.

All motorcycle riders must also have an endorsement on their regular license or are required to carry separate motorcycle license.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost in Ohio?

Just how much you’ll pay for motorcycle insurance in Ohio will vary greatly depending on several factors. Where in the state you live will affect how much you pay for motorcycle insurance in Ohio, as will other factors, such as the bike you have and your age.

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 Ohio, including:

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

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 Ohio in addition to any other coverages required by the state of Ohio.

Most motorcycle insurance companies in Ohio offer the following coverages:

• Liability insurance: Liability coverage is a required motorcycle insurance coverage in Ohio. 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 any 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 pay 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.

What are the optional motorcycle insurance coverages in Ohio?

In addition to the standard coverage options that are listed above, there are many other types of optional Ohio motorcycle insurance coverage. You may be able to add the following motorcycle coverage to your Ohio 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 Ohio: Roadside assistance provides you with service in the event that you experience a motorcycle 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 bike ran out of gas, has a dead battery, has a flat tire and so on.
• Rental reimbursement in Ohio: While your bike 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 to use if your bike is damaged in a covered accident.
• Replacement cost in Ohio: 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 Ohio residents: Lay-up insurance could come in handy if you live in Ohio 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 to do with your Ohio motorcycle insurance in the winter?

Ohio is known for cold, snowy winters, especially in the northeastern part of the state. No matter where in the Buckeye State you live, you may be thinking about packing your bike away for the winter months. If you do so, you may be tempted to cancel your motorcycle insurance during the winter months in Ohio, but doing so may not be the best idea.

While canceling your Ohio motorcycle insurance for the winter may seem like an easy way to save some money, it could end up costing you more money 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 since motorcycle insurance is required in Ohio.

Lay-up insurance is an option to consider for Ohio motorcycle owners. Lay-up motorcycle insurance 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. 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 Ohio?

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Ohio, 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 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 Ohio motorcycle insurance policies may be more flexible and customizable and may even be more affordable in some cases.

In order to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Ohio, 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 Ohio vary greatly by company.

Use the table at the top of this page to find motorcycle insurance companies. In this table, you can see which motorcycle insurance companies in Ohio 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 Ohio?

Many companies offer plenty of discounts to Ohio residents to help you save money on motorcycle insurance 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 Ohio 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 Ohio motorcycle licensing laws?

Ohio allows motorcyclists to apply for a motorcycle-only license or to add a motorcycle endorsement to their driver’s license. Drivers must pass a motorcycle knowledge exam and a vision screening in order to obtain their Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC), the first step to becoming a licensed motorcycle driver.

If the driver is over the age of 18, they can take a skills test once they are ready. If they’ve successfully completed a Motorcycle Ohio course, they can waive the skills test. If the driver is under the age of 18, they must hold the TIPIC for at least six months, complete driver’s education at an approved driving school, complete 50 hours of driving in addition to the driver’s education class, and complete a motorcycle safety education course. They can then take the skills test, which can be waived if they have successfully completed a Motorcycle Ohio course.

What are the Ohio motorcycle laws?

If the Ohio motorcycle driver is under the age of 18 or in their first year holding a motorcycle license, the driver and any passengers must wear a helmet. Drivers are not allowed to use earphones or earplugs but can wear a helmet equipped with speakers. Ohio motorcycle drivers also are required to wear protective eyewear if the motorcycle does not have a windshield or windscreen.

Ohio motorcycle laws prohibit lane splitting, the practice of driving between lanes of slowed or stopped automobile traffic but do allow lane sharing, where motorcycles ride side-by-side in a single lane.

What's Ohio weather like for motorcyclists?

Ohio is known for hot, humid summers and cold winters. Snow is frequent in the winter in the northern part of the state, especially near Lake Erie. The state is prone to strong winds and polar air masses in the winter, and thunderstorms in the summer. The state’s weather may sound like a deterrent to motorcyclists, but the autumn weather can be pleasant enough to make up for the rest of the year, with ample sunlight, comfortable temperatures, and minimal rain.

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

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 Ohio are derived entirely from customer reviews and ratings.

Use the table at the top of this page to find motorcycle insurance companies with your ZIP code.