Best Motorcycle Insurance California: Top Providers (2023) (2023)

12/10/2022 5:31 pm

If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of the Golden State by bike, a key step is to purchase California motorcycle insurance. It’s both required by law and a smart move to stay protected on the road.

After reviewing the best motorcycle insurance options nationwide, we at the Guides Auto Team tailored our research for residents of the Golden State. Below, we’ll recommend the five best choices for cheap motorcycle insurance in California before explaining some state-specific factors you’ll need to know.

*Our research team considers nationwide factors when scoring providers. The ranking of providers in this table is specific to motorcycle insurance in California.

#1 Geico Motorcycle Insurance: 9.3 Out of 10.0

Geico stands out as a top provider for motorcycle insurance in California. The company has a reputation for being one of the industry’s cheapest options for coverage, especially when riders take advantage of its motorcycle insurance discounts.

In addition to having affordable motorcycle insurance rates, Geico has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and A++ rating in financial strength from AM Best. In our nationwide review of the best motorcycle insurance companies, our experts gave Geico the Editor’s Choice award.

Our team reached out to Geico for a comment on its below-average customer reviews but did not receive a response.

#2 Progressive Motorcycle Insurance: 9.0 Out of 10.0

If you’re searching for an extensive coverage plan for your bike, getting a free quote from Progressive can be a smart move. It’s hard to find a provider for motorcycle insurance in California that can match Progressive’s comprehensive and cost-effective plans.

The company is known for insuring high-risk drivers, a category that includes motorcyclists. Progressive holds an A+ rating for financial stability from AM Best and has an excellent industry reputation.

While Progressive doesn’t have the highest customer satisfaction scores, nearly one-third of insured motorcyclists rely on Progressive motorcycle insurance. The company is valued by many riders for its affordable prices and wide range of coverage options.

Our team reached out to Progressive for a comment on the company’s customer satisfaction ratings but did not receive a response.

#3 State Farm Motorcycle Insurance: 8.8 Out of 10.0

With a wide network of agents offering motorcycle insurance across California, State Farm easily stands out for having great local service. Despite being the largest auto insurer in the country, State Farm’s presence throughout the Golden State adds a personal touch.

Due to its scale, State Farm holds an exceptional A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from the BBB. With one of the most prominent names of any insurance provider in the U.S., State Farm is a reputable option.

To get a quote from State Farm, you’ll have to contact your local agency to discover how much motorcycle insurance is from the company.

Our review team reached out to State Farm for a comment on its pricey motorcycle insurance rates and received the following response:

“We disagree with your characterization of our rates. State Farm seeks to provide great value to our customers by providing competitive rates in auto, home, renters and motorcycle. When it specifically comes to motorcycle rates, State Farm works hard to offer customers the best combination of price, service, and protection. We absolutely value the relationships we have with our customers, and we strive to be the customer’s first and best choice in the products and services we provide.”

#4 Dairyland Motorcycle Insurance: 8.3 Out of 10.0

Dairyland specializes in offering affordable coverage to high-risk riders of motorcycles, ATVs, mopeds and scooters.

Customer satisfaction and financial strength are two advantages Dairyland offers, as evidenced by the company’s A+ ratings from both the BBB and AM Best. Dairyland also receives 4.2 stars out of 5.0 from over 4,500 customer reviews on Google, which is higher than the industry norm.

Some reviews on the BBB speak negatively about the company’s claims process, arguing that the company uses any possible reason to deny payments. While these may be isolated instances, it’s at least worth considering before picking Dairyland.

Our team reached out to Dairyland for a comment on its BBB reviews but did not receive a response.

#5 Safeco Motorcycle Insurance: 7.9 Out of 10.0

For drivers purchasing motorcycle insurance in California, Safeco tries to make the process as painless as possible. The provider tends to offer rates below the industry average, making it an affordable option for many drivers.

As a part of Liberty Mutual, Safeco has the financial backing to provide secure and reliable policies. It assures motorcycle riders of its financial security through its A rating from AM Best. An optional benefit that can add peace of mind for Harley-Davidson riders is Safeco’s Harley-Davidson Replacement Cost Provision. With this coverage, Safeco will pay the actual cash value of your motorcycle if you suffer a total loss in an accident.

Our team reached out to Safeco for a response on the quality of the company’s claims process but did not receive a response.

The cost of motorcycle insurance in California tends to be higher than the national average. Between California’s congested roadways, high number of uninsured and underinsured drivers, and steep rates of motorcycle theft and vandalism, companies have much to consider when choosing to insure bikes in the state.

To give you a sense of how much motorcycle insurance in California costs, our team reached out for quotes from Geico and Progressive, two of the state’s cheapest options. The quotes include minimum and full coverage for a variety of motorcycle types and California cities.

Your motorcycle insurance premiums will vary depending on your type of bike, where you live and your driving record. Motorcycle owners who live near Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Fresno can expect to pay higher rates than drivers who live elsewhere. Add a DUI or an accident to your driving record and your prices will typically increase further.

Touring bikes tend to have some of the lowest rates for motorcycle coverage in California, while sport bikes usually cost the most to insure. Some ways to lower your premiums are to increase your deductible, take a motorcycle safety course or bundle your plan with renters or homeowners insurance.

While it’s recommended to go above the minimum requirements for motorcycle insurance in California, doing so will raise your premium. Adding any of these types of coverage to your liability insurance could boost your rates by a fair amount:

• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Medical payments
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Towing or roadside assistance
• Trip interruption benefits

California is generally known for having some of the country’s strictest regulations, but that’s not the case with motorcycle insurance. The state’s minimum–coverage standards include:

• $15,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $30,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $5,000 property damage liability coverage

It’s not just a bad idea to skip the minimum coverage for motorcycle insurance in California — it’s illegal to ride uninsured. We recommend that drivers opt for more coverage than the state’s minimum insurance requirement to stay safe on the road, but be sure to at least meet that standard.

From the gridlock of Greater Los Angeles and the Bay Area to the wide-open fields of the Central Valley, the number of miles driven by California drivers each year varies significantly from place to place.

California Motorcycle Accident Statistics

There were 3,606 vehicle fatalities across California in 2019, averaging out to 9.1 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is below the national average of 11.0 deaths per 100,000.

How To Get a Motorcycle License in California

To gain a motorcycle license in California, adults over the age of 21 must pass a vision test and an exam focused on driver knowledge, motorcycle knowledge and motorcycle skills. A road test is only necessary for riders who have never held a license of any kind before.

California Motorcycle Laws

It’s illegal under all circumstances for motorcyclists in California to ride without helmets. Another way to end up in trouble is by not signaling before changing lanes or turning. California is one of the only places in the U.S. where “lane splitting,” a practice in which motorcycles can drive between two lanes of traffic, is legal.

While you may be ready to start cruising through the Golden State today, it’s important that you first secure motorcycle insurance in California. Top providers such as Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Dairyland and Safeco can protect your motorcycle at affordable rates.

It’s always smart to get free motorcycle insurance quotes from providers before choosing your coverage plan. It will help you not only get the best deal on motorcycle insurance in California but also find the best coverage for your needs to keep you safe on the highway.

FAQ: Motorcycle Insurance in California

Below are some frequently asked questions about California motorcycle insurance:

Our Methodology

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, the Guides Auto Team created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best motorcycle insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of motorcycle insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Cost (20% of total score): Motorcycle insurance quotes obtained through secret shopping and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
• Coverage (20% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Reputation (20% of total score): Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Availability (20% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
• Customer Experience (20% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each motorcycle insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

*Data accurate at time of publication.