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May 30, 2026
Real motorcycle carrier rankings from an independent agency that writes all 6 carriers. Progressive wins overall, GEICO for cheap liability, Foremost for cruisers and Harleys, Bristol West for non-standard records, National General for high-value custom builds, Safeco for bundlers. Includes a comparison table and scenario-based decision framework.
Most "best motorcycle insurance" articles on Google are written by publications that do not sell motorcycle insurance. They rank carriers by public J.D. Power scores and online review counts, then collect a commission when you click out to a quote form. We do this differently. Dragon Insurance is an independent agency licensed in PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY that actually writes motorcycle policies through all six carriers ranked below. We see the quotes side by side every week and we know which carrier wins under which rider profile.
This guide ranks the six best motorcycle insurance carriers of 2026 based on real quoting data across sport bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, and dual-sport riders. Use it to shortlist the right carrier for your bike and your record, then call us and we will quote all six in one conversation. No commission kickbacks, no carrier loyalty pitch. Just numbers and tradeoffs.
Best Motorcycle Insurance of 2026 (By Category)
Want all six quoted in one call? Call 717-229-5115 or use the quote form below. Quotes typically ready within one business day.
Here is a side-by-side snapshot of the six carriers we recommend most often, based on real quote data across our PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY motorcycle clients in the past 12 months. Premiums shown assume a 35-year-old rider with a clean 3-year record, unless noted.
| Carrier | Best For | Liability-Only (avg) | Full Coverage (avg) | Non-Standard Records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | Overall, sport bikes, custom parts | $220 to $480 | $650 to $2,400 | Yes (with surcharge) |
| GEICO | Cheap liability, standard bikes | $140 to $360 | $600 to $2,000 | Limited |
| Foremost | Cruisers, Harleys, touring | $200 to $440 | $600 to $1,900 | Yes (with surcharge) |
| Bristol West | Tickets, DUI, lapses, SR-22 | $280 to $600 | $700 to $2,200 | Yes (specialty) |
| National General | High-value, custom builds, Harleys | $240 to $500 | $750 to $2,800 | Yes (with surcharge) |
| Safeco | Bundlers with auto and home | $230 to $470 | $680 to $2,300 | Limited |
Premium ranges reflect quotes pulled across Dragon Insurance client profiles in 2025-2026 for standard bikes (500-800cc cruisers and naked bikes) and sport bikes (600cc-1000cc supersports). Actual pricing varies by bike type, age, driving record, credit, state, garaging address, and coverage selections.
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Progressive is the largest motorcycle insurer in the United States by market share and the default starting point for most riders shopping for full coverage. They write every major bike category (sport, cruiser, touring, standard, dual-sport, scooter, off-road, custom) and they have the deepest underwriting experience on sport bikes and high-performance builds.
What Progressive does well: strong custom parts and equipment coverage (up to $30,000 in optional CPE limits, which is critical for Harley owners with aftermarket pipes, bags, and seats), accident forgiveness for first claims, and disappearing deductible on collision after consecutive claim-free policy periods.
Where Progressive is not the cheapest: state-minimum liability on a low-value standard bike often quotes lower through GEICO. If you ride a $4,000 used cruiser and only need PA state minimums, GEICO wins on price.
We write Progressive motorcycle in all 7 states we serve. Ask for a Progressive quote.
GEICO is the price leader for state-minimum liability coverage on standard motorcycles. For a clean-record rider on a 500-800cc cruiser or naked bike, GEICO state-minimum liability often quotes 20 to 40 percent below Progressive for the same coverage. That is the right pick if you own a low-value bike outright (no lender, no need for collision/comprehensive) and you are riding under 5,000 miles per year.
What GEICO does well: low base rates on standard bikes, simple online policy management, and a strong multi-policy discount when bundled with GEICO auto.
Where GEICO is weaker: sport bikes over 600cc, riders with any moving violations in the past 3 years, custom builds requiring agreed value, and riders with prior coverage lapses. In those scenarios, Progressive, Bristol West, or National General typically win.
We write GEICO motorcycle in select states. Ask if you have a clean record and a standard bike.
Foremost is the Farmers Insurance motorcycle specialty arm and the carrier we lean on for cruisers and touring bikes. For Harley Sportsters, Honda Goldwings, Yamaha Star Ventures, and similar cruiser/touring rigs in the $8,000 to $25,000 value range, Foremost frequently quotes 10 to 20 percent below Progressive on full coverage. They are particularly strong in PA, OH, and TX markets where touring miles are common.
What Foremost does well: competitive cruiser and touring rates, accident forgiveness on first claims, and a strong rider association discount program (HOG members, Goldwing Road Riders Association, and similar groups typically qualify for 5 to 10 percent off).
Where Foremost is weaker: sport bikes and high-performance customs. If you ride a 1000cc supersport or a custom build with significant aftermarket parts, Progressive or National General usually wins on price and coverage.
We write Foremost motorcycle in PA, TX, OH, and select other states. Ask for a Foremost quote.
Bristol West is the Farmers non-standard arm and the carrier we turn to when standard carriers decline a rider. They write motorcycles for riders with tickets, at-fault claims, DUI history, coverage lapses, and SR-22 filings. If Progressive or GEICO has declined your application or quoted unaffordable rates because of a 3-year record issue, Bristol West is usually the carrier that writes the policy.
What Bristol West does well: non-standard market underwriting, fast SR-22 filings (within 24 hours of binding for most states), and flexible payment plans for riders rebuilding their record.
Where Bristol West is not the right fit: clean-record riders on high-value bikes. Bristol West rates are competitive in the non-standard market but typically run 15 to 25 percent above Progressive or GEICO for a clean-record rider on a standard bike. Use Bristol West when you need the specialty product.
We write Bristol West motorcycle in all 7 states. Ask if you have a ticket, DUI, or lapse.
National General is the carrier we turn to for $25,000+ Harleys, custom builds, and high-end touring bikes. They offer agreed value policies on most high-value motorcycles, which means the insurer pays the agreed-upon dollar amount at total loss instead of depreciated market value. For a 5-year-old $32,000 Harley Road Glide with $8,000 in custom parts, that difference can be $10,000+ at a total loss.
What National General does well: agreed value flexibility, strong custom parts and equipment coverage (up to $30,000 on most policies), competitive pricing for mature riders with clean records, and a solid claims experience for motorcycle-specific losses.
Where National General is not the right fit: low-value standard bikes and first-time riders. For those profiles, GEICO or Progressive usually wins.
We write National General motorcycle in all 7 states. Ask for an agreed value quote.
Safeco is the right motorcycle carrier when you already have Safeco auto and home. The multi-policy discount when you bundle a Safeco motorcycle policy with existing Safeco auto and home typically runs 10 to 15 percent across the bundle. On a $1,200 motorcycle premium, that is $120 to $180 saved on the bike alone, plus comparable savings on the auto and home policies.
What Safeco does well: bundle pricing, fast digital binding, and a clean claims experience. For long-term Safeco customers, motorcycle pricing often lands meaningfully below the carrier-only quote because of bundle accumulation. Safeco is also one of the more competitive carriers for standard mid-range bikes in PA and VA markets.
Where Safeco is weaker: riders without existing Safeco policies and riders on high-value custom builds. As a standalone motorcycle carrier without the bundle context, Safeco pricing is typically average rather than market-leading.
We write Safeco motorcycle in all 7 states. Ask about Safeco bundling.
The "best" motorcycle insurance for you depends on three variables: the type of bike you ride, your record, and what coverage you actually need. Use this framework to shortlist before we run quotes.
| Your Situation | First Carrier to Quote | Second Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bike under $6K, state-minimum liability only | GEICO | Progressive |
| Sport bike (600cc+), clean record, full coverage | Progressive | National General |
| Cruiser or touring bike, $8K-$25K value | Foremost | Progressive |
| Harley with $5K+ in custom parts | Progressive (custom parts) | National General (agreed value) |
| $25K+ Harley or high-value touring bike | National General | Foremost |
| Tickets, DUI, or coverage lapse in last 3 years | Bristol West | Progressive |
| Already have Safeco auto and home | Safeco (bundle) | Progressive |
| New rider, recent MSF course completion | Progressive | GEICO |
State minimums protect other drivers when you are at fault. They do not protect you, your bike, or your passenger. Most riders should carry well above state minimums, but knowing the floor helps you compare quotes apples to apples.
| State | Bodily Injury Min | Property Damage Min | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $15K / $30K | $5K | No PIP required for motorcycles; full tort applies automatically. |
| Texas | $30K / $60K | $25K | UM/UIM strongly recommended; TX has high uninsured rates. |
| Virginia | $30K / $60K | $20K | Helmet required by law for all riders. |
| Maryland | $30K / $60K | $15K | PIP and UM/UIM available; helmet required for all riders. |
| Ohio | $25K / $50K | $25K | UM/UIM must be offered; helmet not required for riders 18+. |
| Tennessee | $25K / $50K | $25K | Helmet required by law; high UM rates statewide. |
| Kentucky | $25K / $50K | $25K | No-fault state; basic reparations benefits apply to motorcycles. |
State minimums are subject to legislative change. Verify current requirements with your state DMV before relying on any published table.
You can quote all six of these carriers directly. Most riders do not. Here is what happens when you go that route:
What we do instead: one intake call. We pull all six quotes with identical liability limits, deductibles, and accessory coverage. You see a clean side-by-side and you pick the winner. We have written motorcycle claims through all six carriers and we can tell you which one paid fast on a Harley low-side, which one fought over custom parts coverage at a total loss, and which one quietly applied a 15 percent multi-policy discount on your existing auto policy when we added the bike.
No fee for the comparison. Independent agents are paid by the carrier when the policy binds, at the same commission rate the carrier would have paid a direct sales rep. You pay the same price either way. The difference is whether you got the right fit or the first quote.
Who has the best motorcycle insurance in 2026?
For most riders, Progressive is the best overall motorcycle insurance carrier of 2026. Progressive is the largest motorcycle insurer in the U.S. by market share, writes every major bike category, and offers strong custom parts coverage and accident forgiveness. For state-minimum liability on a low-value standard bike, GEICO is usually cheaper. For non-standard records (tickets, DUI, lapses), Bristol West is the right specialty carrier. The "best" carrier depends on your bike, your record, and your coverage needs.
Which is cheaper for motorcycle insurance, Progressive or GEICO?
GEICO is usually cheaper for state-minimum liability coverage on standard motorcycles, often 20 to 40 percent below Progressive for the same coverage on a clean-record rider with a low-value bike. Progressive is usually cheaper for full coverage on sport bikes, Harleys with custom parts, and riders with any prior tickets or claims. Both should be quoted side by side to find the actual winner for your profile.
What is the cheapest motorcycle insurance?
The cheapest motorcycle insurance is typically GEICO state-minimum liability for a clean-record rider on a low-value standard bike, often $140 to $360 per year depending on state and bike. For sport bikes or full-coverage policies, the cheapest carrier varies by rider profile, but Progressive and Bristol West usually compete most aggressively. The cheapest policy is only the right policy if the coverage matches your actual risk. State-minimum liability on a Harley you own outright may save money but leaves you exposed for the bike itself if you crash.
What is the best motorcycle insurance for a Harley-Davidson?
For a Harley-Davidson with significant aftermarket parts, Progressive is usually the best choice because of its strong custom parts and equipment coverage (up to $30,000 in optional CPE limits). For a high-value Harley ($25K+) or a vintage Harley, National General with an agreed value policy is often better because it pays the agreed amount at total loss instead of depreciated market value. Both should be quoted side by side.
What is the best motorcycle insurance for new riders?
For new riders, Progressive and GEICO typically offer the most competitive first-policy pricing, especially for riders who have completed an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. Most carriers apply a 5 to 15 percent discount for MSF course completion. New riders on sport bikes will pay significantly more than new riders on standard bikes or cruisers; expect $1,500 to $3,500 for full coverage on a 600cc+ sport bike in the first year, dropping after a clean 3-year record.
Does motorcycle insurance cover other riders on my bike?
Coverage for other riders varies by carrier and policy. Most standard motorcycle policies provide liability coverage when a licensed rider with your permission operates your bike. Coverage for the operator's injuries (MedPay or PIP) and for the bike itself depends on the policy. Always disclose any regular co-riders to your carrier; failing to do so can void coverage at claim time. Some carriers require named co-riders on the policy.
Have your bike details ready: year, make, model, mileage, garaging address, driving record, any prior tickets or claims, and whether you have completed an MSF course in the past 3 years. We pull all six carriers on this list, plus 24 more we have access to. You see the side-by-side, you pick the winner. Quotes typically ready within one business day.
Visit us: 1525 Cedar Cliff Dr STE 202, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Serving riders across PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY. English, Nepali, and Hindi spoken.
Dragon Insurance Services LLC is a licensed independent insurance agency. Carrier rankings and premium ranges in this article reflect our agency's quoting experience across PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY in 2025-2026 and are not endorsements paid for by any carrier. Coverage availability, terms, and rates vary by carrier, bike type, rider profile, state, and driving record. Quotes are subject to underwriting approval. State minimum requirements are subject to legislative change. Contact us for a personalized quote.
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