Motorcycle Insurance After a Crash: Which Coverage Pays for What?
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- Liability coverage pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. It does not pay for your own injuries.
- Collision and comprehensive coverage pay for damage to your motorcycle, with different triggers.
- Medical payments coverage, where available, can help with your own medical bills regardless of fault.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.
- Coverage rules and limits vary by state and policy, so read your declarations page before you ride, not after a crash.
Most riders carry insurance, but few could say exactly what it covers. That usually comes up at the worst time: after a crash, with medical bills arriving and a bike in a tow yard. A little knowledge before that moment makes a big difference.
Here is a plain-English guide to the coverages that often matter in a motorcycle crash. It uses terms common to auto insurance, which motorcycle policies often mirror, though each policy is different. This is educational information, not insurance or legal advice.
The main coverages
| Coverage | What it generally covers | Pays for your injuries? |
|---|---|---|
| Liability (bodily injury and property damage) | Injuries and damage you cause to others, up to your limits | No |
| Collision | Damage to your motorcycle from a collision, whoever was at fault | No |
| Comprehensive | Non-collision damage such as theft, fire, falling objects or vandalism | No |
| Medical payments (where offered) | Medical costs for you, often regardless of fault | Yes |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | Your injuries when the at-fault driver is uninsured, hit-and-run or has too little coverage | Yes |
Liability: the one most states require
Many states require drivers, including riders, to carry minimum liability coverage. It pays for the other person's injuries and damage if you're at fault. It does nothing for your own injuries. The state minimums are often low, so some riders buy higher limits for protection.
Your bike: collision and comprehensive
If you want your own motorcycle repaired or replaced after a crash you caused, collision coverage is typically what pays, up to the bike's value minus your deductible. If someone else was at fault, their insurer may pay instead. If the damage came from something other than a collision, such as theft or fire, comprehensive may apply. If you added custom parts, ask whether they're covered or need extra coverage.
Your injuries: where riders need to look closely
This is the part people most often overlook. Your own injuries can be paid by several possible sources:
- The at-fault driver's liability insurance, if someone else was responsible and has coverage.
- Medical payments coverage on your policy, if you bought it. It's usually limited to a modest amount.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which reimburses you if you're hurt by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, or if the at-fault driver's limits are too low. This coverage may be optional on a motorcycle policy in your state, so check yours.
- Your health insurance, which may pay first and later seek reimbursement.
A quick policy check
- Find the declarations page, the summary at the front of the policy.
- Note your limits for each coverage and your deductibles.
- Check whether you have medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Ask about custom equipment and gear coverage.
- Ask how your policy treats passengers.
- Check notice requirements, the time you have to report a crash.
After a crash
Report the crash to your insurer promptly, keep every bill, and be careful with recorded statements. Our motorcycle accident checklist covers the first steps in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Does liability insurance cover my own injuries?
No. It covers injuries and damage you cause to others.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required for motorcycles?
It depends on your state. In some places it's required or must be offered, and in others it's optional.
Will collision coverage pay if the other driver is at fault?
It can, with a deductible, and your insurer may then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party's insurer.
Should I buy more than the state minimum?
Minimums are often low relative to serious injuries. An insurance agent can explain options for your situation.
Sources and references
- A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (tennessee.gov)
- Road Safety: pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov)
- Your state's official sources: the state legislature's online statutes, your state court system's self-help pages, and your state insurance department.
Edited by Mohammed Khalaf, site editor. Written from the official sources listed above. The editor is not an attorney, and this article is not legal advice.
This article is educational and is not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not refer or recommend lawyers. Laws differ by state and change over time. Read our Legal Disclaimer and Editorial Policy.