Personal Lines · Motorcycle
Motorcycle insurance in Texas: what your auto policy won't do.
The gap most riders discover late is the money they've put into the bike.
The short version
A motorcycle needs its own policy — your auto policy does not extend to it. The structure is familiar: liability for damage you cause, and comprehensive and collision for the bike itself. Texas's minimum liability requirement applies to motorcycles the same as cars, and the same argument applies against buying only the minimum.
The coverage riders most often get wrong is custom parts and accessories. Exhausts, bags, seats, chrome, audio, and paint frequently aren't covered beyond a small built-in limit — sometimes a few thousand dollars. A bike with real money in modifications needs that limit raised deliberately, and it's cheap to do.
Coverage
What actually goes on the policy.
Liability
Damage and injury you cause to others. The same Texas minimums apply, and the same reasoning says buy more than the minimum.
Comprehensive & collision
The bike itself — crash, theft, fire, vandalism, and hail. Motorcycles are stolen at higher rates than cars, which makes comprehensive worth more here than people assume.
Custom parts & accessories
The one to check. Built-in limits are low and modifications add up fast. Keep receipts and photos.
Uninsured motorist
Worth taking seriously on a bike. In a collision with an underinsured driver, the injuries tend to be severe and their limits tend to be low.
Worth Asking About
Coverages riders don't know exist.
None of these are expensive; all of them get skipped.
- Roadside assistance — specialised motorcycle towing
- Trip interruption — if you break down far from home
- Passenger liability — confirm it's included, not excluded
- Safety apparel — helmets and gear, often a separate limit
- Lay-up / seasonal — reduced coverage while stored
- Agreed value — for vintage and collectible bikes
- Transport trailer — if you haul it
- Safety course discounts — ask, they're rarely offered unprompted
Passenger liability is the one to verify in writing. Some policies limit or exclude it, and a rider who regularly carries a passenger should know which they have before it matters.
Straight Talk
Spending in the right places.
Raise custom parts, not the deductible
If you've put money into the bike, the accessories limit is where the coverage gap actually is — it matters more than shaving the deductible.
Don't cancel over winter
A stored bike can still be stolen or damaged. Lay-up coverage costs less than full coverage and much less than a gap in your insurance history.
Collision may not be worth it on an older bike
Same logic as an old car. If the bike is worth little more than the deductible, comprehensive alone is often the better buy.
Photograph the bike as it is now
Modifications are difficult to prove after a loss. A few photos and a folder of receipts is the entire claim-time argument.
Get Started
Request a motorcycle quote.
Tell us the bike and roughly what you've put into it.
Reach us directly
You'll hear back from a real person on our team, not a call center.
Plano, TX 75074
Motorcycle FAQ
Questions we hear often.
Does my car insurance cover my motorcycle?
No. A motorcycle needs its own policy. Your auto policy does not extend to it.
Are my custom parts and accessories covered?
Only up to a built-in limit, which is usually low. Exhausts, bags, seats, chrome and audio add up quickly, and the limit should be raised deliberately if you've invested in the bike.
Is my passenger covered?
Check specifically. Some policies limit or exclude passenger liability, and if you regularly carry a passenger you want that confirmed in writing.
Should I keep insurance on my bike over the winter?
Yes — a stored bike can still be stolen or damaged by fire. Lay-up coverage reduces the cost without creating a gap in your insurance history.
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage on a motorcycle?
It's worth serious consideration. Injuries in motorcycle collisions tend to be severe, and at-fault drivers frequently carry only minimum limits.
Should I carry collision on an older bike?
Often not. If the bike is worth little more than your deductible, comprehensive alone — covering theft, fire and hail — is frequently the better value.