Motorcycle Insurance: No Car, No Problem

In the US, you can own a motorcycle and be the primary person on the motorcycle insurance policy without a license. However, you cannot legally drive a motorcycle in any state without a permit or license. Most states require proof of insurance before allowing you to register your motorcycle, and 46 states require motorcycle insurance. Florida, New Hampshire, Washington, and Montana are the only states that do not require it. If you are riding without insurance in Florida and are found to be at fault for an accident, you may have your license suspended, lose riding privileges, and face civil fines.

Motorcycle insurance without a license

In most states, you will be required to purchase a policy meeting state-specific minimum coverage limits before you or anyone else can make use of your bike on the road. If caught, uninsured drivers can face severe penalties, from fines and license suspensions to jail time.

Technically, you don't need a motorcycle license to purchase coverage. However, most insurers will ask to see a valid motorcycle license number before approving your application. While some insurers will accept learner's permits, the majority will need you to tie your coverage to a legitimate license holder's insurance. Finding an insurance company that does not require a license may prove tricky.

• Motorcycle collector: If you collect classic bikes that you don't plan to ride, there is no need for a license. However, you may want to get your collectibles insured.
• Insuring a dependent's bike: You may be paying for the motorcycle insurance of someone in your household, but not riding the bike yourself. In this case, it is up to the rider to obtain a license.
• New rider without licensure: If you bought a bike that you plan to learn to ride, you still need insurance to protect your property. You can get a license when you are ready.
• Suspended license: Even if your motorcycle license gets suspended, you must keep the bike insured.
• International driving permit: If you have an international driving permit, there is no need to get a license in the US. However, you still need to get insurance coverage.
• Disability: If you have a disability that makes you unable to operate a motorcycle, you can still own one and have a third-party rider drive you around. In this case, the driver would need to be licensed, but as the owner of the bike, insurance is up to you.

If you are looking to get motorcycle insurance without a license, here are some ways to increase your chances of getting coverage:

• Exclude yourself from the policy: By excluding yourself, you will not be covered when riding your bike. However, you will not be considered a risk for driving without a license. Be sure to update this information if you decide to earn or recover your license.
• Choose a main driver: Naming another primary driver on the policy means your insurance company will use that person's driving record to determine premiums.
• Wait until you have a license: If you'll get your license shortly and no one needs to ride the bike right away, you might wait to purchase coverage until you pass your driving test or your license is no longer suspended. You may have to pay a bit more for insurance if you have a lapse in coverage, but getting coverage with a license will be easier.

State-by-state differences

While most states require riders to carry motorcycle insurance, there are some state-by-state differences to be aware of. Florida is the only state that does not require a motorcycle operator to have insurance. However, Florida motorcycle operators riding out of state can be fined or jailed for riding without insurance. In New Hampshire, you can choose whether or not to wear a motorcycle helmet, whereas in other states, this is mandatory.

Each state has its own minimum coverage requirements, which can change frequently, so it's important to check the most up-to-date information for your state. For example, Pennsylvania, California, and New Jersey have the lowest minimums, while Alaska and Maine have the highest.

In terms of lane splitting, where a motorcyclist rides between two cars moving in the same direction on multi-lane roads, this is only legal in California. Lane filtering, where a motorcyclist rides between slow-moving or stopped traffic, is only legal in five states.

Some states require motorcycle owners to list at least one licensed driver on their policy, meaning the insurance company won't cover any claims if the primary driver has an accident. It's worth noting that some auto insurance companies are wary of insuring customers without a license, as they see it as a risk that an unlicensed rider will be on the road.

Reasons for unlicensed motorcycle ownership

There are several reasons why someone may own a motorcycle without a valid motorcycle driver's license. Firstly, it is important to note that in most states, you can legally own a motorcycle and be the primary person on the motorcycle insurance policy without a license. However, it is illegal to drive a motorcycle on any public road without a valid permit or license. Therefore, unlicensed motorcycle ownership may occur in the following scenarios:

Collector's Item

You may own a classic motorcycle that you do not plan to ride and intend to keep as a collector's item. In this case, you may still want to get insurance for your collectible motorcycle. While you can own and insure a classic motorcycle without a license, you will not be able to test drive it or drive it on public roads.

Gift for Someone Else

Another reason for unlicensed motorcycle ownership is that you may have purchased the motorcycle as a gift for someone else, such as a teenager who is under 18 and not yet licensed. In this case, the actual rider of the motorcycle will need to obtain a license, but you can still be the primary person on the insurance policy.

Temporary Unlicensed Status

Your status as an unlicensed driver may not be permanent, and you may be in the process of obtaining your motorcycle license. During this time, you can legally own a motorcycle and insure it, but you cannot drive it on public roads until you have obtained your license.

Shared Vehicle

If you live with someone who has a motorcycle, you may be the primary person on their motorcycle insurance policy even if you don't have a license. In this case, the rider of the motorcycle is responsible for obtaining a license, but you can still own and insure the vehicle.

Suspended or Revoked License

In some cases, you may have a suspended or revoked license due to poor driving. Even in this situation, you must still keep your motorcycle insured. You can be the primary person on the insurance policy, but you cannot legally drive the motorcycle until your license is reinstated.

While it is possible to own and insure a motorcycle without a license, it is important to note that most insurers will be cautious about insuring an unlicensed operator, and rates may be higher. Additionally, some states require motorcycle owners to list at least one licensed driver on the policy, and the insurance company may not cover any claims if the primary driver is unlicensed and gets into an accident.

Getting motorcycle insurance without a license

Yes, it is possible to get motorcycle insurance without a license. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Most insurers will ask to see a valid motorcycle license before approving your application. While some companies will accept learner's permits, the majority will require you to tie your coverage to a legitimate license holder's insurance. This means that even if you are the primary person on the policy, the insurance company may not cover any claims if an accident occurs while you are driving.

State-by-state differences

The requirements for motorcycle insurance vary from state to state. In almost all states, you will need insurance to register your motorcycle, and in 48 states, motorcycle insurance is legally required. Florida and New Hampshire are the only two states that do not mandate it. Some states mandate that motorcycle owners list at least one licensed driver on the policy, allowing the person buying the insurance to designate someone other than themselves as the primary driver.

Reasons for getting motorcycle insurance without a license

There are several reasons why someone might want to get motorcycle insurance without a license:

• You are a motorcycle collector: If you collect classic bikes that you don't plan to ride, you don't need a license, but you may want to insure your collectibles.
• Insuring a dependent's bike: You may be paying for the insurance for someone else in your household, such as a teenager under 18, but the rider is responsible for obtaining a license.
• New rider without a license: If you bought a bike that you plan to learn to ride, you can get insurance to protect your property and get your license when you're ready.
• Suspended license: Even if your license is suspended, you must keep your bike insured.
• International driving permit: If you have an international driving permit, you don't need a separate license in the US, but you still need insurance coverage.
• Disability: If you have a disability that prevents you from operating a motorcycle, you can still own one and have a licensed third-party rider. As the owner, it is your responsibility to insure the bike.

Steps for getting motorcycle insurance without a license

• Get a licensed friend or family member to shop with you: If you're buying a motorcycle but don't have a license, bring someone licensed to help you test drive and evaluate the bike's performance.
• Finalize the sale: Complete the necessary paperwork and loan process, if applicable. You will likely need a legal ID, such as a passport or non-driver ID card.
• Choose a main driver: If you name another primary driver on the policy, the insurance company will use their driving record to determine premiums.
• Wait until you have a license: If you will be getting your license shortly, you may want to wait to purchase coverage, as it will be easier and may cost less.

Risks of riding without insurance

Riding a motorcycle without insurance is a criminal offence and doing so could land you with a number of severe penalties. In the UK, for example, you could be fined up to £300, receive six penalty points on your licence, or even be disqualified from riding. The police also have the power to seize and destroy the vehicle of anyone found riding without insurance. If your case goes to court, you could receive an unlimited fine or even a prison sentence.

In the US, the specific penalties for riding without insurance vary from state to state. However, in almost every state (48 out of 50), you are required by law to have motorcycle insurance. Only Florida and New Hampshire do not mandate it. Without insurance, you won't be able to register your motorcycle, and if you're pulled over or get into an accident, you could face serious consequences. These may include fines, often in the hundreds of dollars, having your motorcycle license suspended, or even jail time.

Even if you don't plan to ride your motorcycle, it's important to consider insurance. If you're keeping your bike locked up in storage or for repairs, you can register your vehicle with a Statutory Off Road Notification and forgo insurance. Similarly, if you're a motorcycle collector with classic bikes that won't be driven, you don't need a license or insurance. However, you may still want to insure your collectibles.

It's worth noting that some states require motorcycle owners to list at least one licensed driver on their insurance policy. This means that if the primary driver, who is not the policyholder, gets into an accident, the insurance company won't cover the claims. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the specific requirements and risks in your state or country before considering riding without insurance.

Frequently asked questions