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

What is there to know about Massachusetts for motorcycle drivers?

Massachusetts is a small, densely populated state prone to storms in the winter and the summer. Despite the unpredictable New England weather, the Bay State has plenty to offer motorcyclists. After all, you can drive from the ocean to the mountains – and maybe even back again – in one day. You can visit historic sites and enjoy cities and small towns in the same ride. And, depending on the time of year, you can enjoy gorgeous fall foliage or the greens and blues of spring in New England.

If you and any potential passenger you're bringing are ready to hit the road and ride your motorcycle in Massachusetts, there are steps you must take to do so safely and legally, including purchasing MA motorcycle insurance.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Massachusetts?

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

• $5,000 for property damage,
• $20,000 for each bodily injury to one person, and
• $40,000 for bodily injury per accident.

Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means that your own insurance pays your medical bills, regardless of who was at fault in an accident. No-fault states typically require personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and Massachusetts does, but only for automobile insurance. Massachusetts actually excludes motorcyclists from PIP coverage, so it’s recommended that they add Medical Payments coverage to their insurance policy so that there is money to pay medical bills in the event of an accident.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the state minimums may not provide enough coverage 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 often recommended that all MA bikers consider purchasing more than just the minimum coverage. Additional liability motorcycle insurance coverage would offer more protection to you and your assets in the event that 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 pocket. 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 with your motorcycle insurance, you’d have to pay out of pocket for this as well.

Medical coverage is something else to consider, as any injuries and subsequent medical costs sustained during the accident would come out of your pocket too. The extra protection can help you to feel safer on your ride through Massachusetts.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost in Massachusetts?

Just how much you’ll pay for motorcycle coverage in Massachusetts depends in large part on where in the state you live. Insuring a motorcycle in Boston will likely 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 Massachusetts.

If you’re an experienced rider, you may pay around $500 per year for a motorcycle policy, but if you’re a new driver, you should expect to pay higher average rates. 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 Massachusetts, including:

• Your age
• Your driving record
• Where you live in Massachusetts
• Where you store your bike
• Your motorcycle - type of bike and age of bike
• 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.

Optional coverage will cost more, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Having insufficient coverage could land you in serious financial trouble. Plus, there are ways to get a more affordable price, that we cover below. If you're not comfortable changing around your deductible options, you can always look into discounts.

What are the coverage options for motorcycle owners in Massachusetts?

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 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Most Massachusetts motorcycle insurance companies offer the following coverages:

• Liability insurance: Liability coverage is a required motorcycle insurance coverage in Massachusetts. 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 you caused to another person’s property, such as their car.
  • Motorcycle insurance liability also covers legal expenses in case you get 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. If you happen to get into 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 happen to find yourself in an accident with someone who is uninsured or underinsured, this coverage might 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: This coverage is highly recommended for motorcyclists in Massachusetts. 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.

Are there optional types of coverage?

In addition to the standard coverage options listed above, there are also optional coverages that you can purchase to receive protection for various things. The following options may be available for you to add to your Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts: Roadside assistance provides you with service in case you experience a mechanical or electrical malfunction with your bike. It may even include towing in some cases. With roadside assistance, you could get help for various issues including if your bike runs out of gas, has a dead battery, has a flat tire, etc.
• Rental reimbursement in Massachusetts: 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 that you may need while your motorcycle is at the repair shop.
• Replacement cost in Massachusetts: 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 Massachusetts residents: Lay-up insurance could come in handy if you live in Massachusetts 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 do you need to do if you don't drive in winter?

Massachusetts is known for its unpredictable weather from blizzards to hurricanes. If you’re not one of the hardy souls who loves riding your motorcycle in the cold and snow, you may want to pack your bike away for the winter months. If you choose to do so, you may be tempted to cancel your Massachusetts motorcycle insurance during the cold winter months, but this may not be the best idea.

Canceling your Massachusetts 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, such as a fire, theft, or vandalism, you wouldn’t be covered. Or if there’s an expectedly warm day and you want to ride your bike, you wouldn’t be able to, since coverage is required in Massachusetts.

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

How can you find the most affordable policy options?

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Massachusetts, 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. Another option is to 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 Massachusetts motorcycle insurance policies are typically more flexible and customizable and may even be more affordable in some cases. Make sure to look into all your options to find the best one for you.

In order to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Massachusetts, you may 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 discounts available?

Many companies offer motorcycle insurance discounts to Massachusetts residents to help you save money on coverage for your bike. This means you don't have to go looking for just the cheapest rates. 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 Massachusetts 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.

When you're comparing companies, you can always ask for sample rates with the type of coverage you're interested in, and then ask if there are any discounts that would apply. Motorcycle riders have the benefit of a few more options, because they can take safety courses that are specific to owning a bike. The good news there is that it doesn't matter what type of motorcycle you own either.

What are the motorcycle licensing laws in Massachusetts?

All motorcyclists are required to hold a Class M learner’s permit in Massachusetts for at least six months before they are eligible to obtain a Class M license. Once you’ve held your permit for six months and maintained a clean driving record, you’re eligible to get your license, though the requirements to do so will vary depending on your age.

If you are between the ages of 16 and a half and 18, you must get consent from a parent or guardian, complete a driver’s education course and pass the Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) basic rider course and pass a driving skills evaluation. If you are 18 or older, you can take a road test without completing driver’s education or the MREP, unless you have failed two motorcycle tests.

Are there any mandatory laws?

Massachusetts has a strict helmet law for all motorcycle drivers and passengers, including those who ride in a sidecar. Massachusetts motorcycle drivers are also required to wear protective eyewear if the motorcycle does not have a windshield. State law also requires motorcycles to have footrests for passengers.

Massachusetts motorcycle laws prohibit lane splitting, the practice of driving between lanes of slowed or stopped automobile traffic.

What is the weather like?

Massachusetts is known for warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The state is prone to nor’easters and other severe storms in the winter, and often experiences thunderstorms in the summer.

The state’s weather may sound like a deterrent to motorcyclists, but the temperate weather in Massachusetts during the spring and fall (and even much of the summer) will appeal to riders looking to enjoy the outdoors.

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

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. Customer satisfaction is an important factor in what makes a company successful, so listening to what other people have to say can find you an insurer that you'll be happy with.

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