Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in New York?

If you own and operate a motorcycle in New York, you are required to have minimum liability coverage that meets the following standards:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 Person / $50,000 Accident
• Death Liability: $50,000 Person / $100,000 Accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000

It is important to remember that these are only the minimum requirements to avoid violating New York law. Most motorcyclists will want to opt for additional coverage to ensure adequate coverage should they be involved in an at-fault accident that injures or damages another person or their property. Additionally, unlike auto insurance policies that require personal injury protection or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, motorcyclists do not; however, you should still strongly consider these add-ons. 

To operate a motorcycle in New York, you must have either a Class M/MJ Operator’s License or a Learner’s Permit. After passing a written exam at the DMV, the learner’s permit can be granted. Still, you cannot operate the motorcycle without being supervised by a person with a valid motorcycle license that is no more than 1/4 mile from you. To graduate from a learner’s permit to a license, you’ll be required to complete a road test with a Motorcycle Safety Foundation certified instructor. Suppose you have both a valid driver’s license and motorcycle permit. In that case, you can receive a waiver to complete the road test if you complete a certified educational training course approved by New York law.

For more information on motorcycle insurance or help in purchasing a policy, reach out to the friendly and professional team at Bajorek Agency Inc in Rochester, NY. We’re happy to schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss our products and how we can help you with your motorcycle insurance needs.