Florida Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

The State of Florida is one of the best places to ride, if you like beaches and riding on flat, straight roads. Florida doesn’t require a rider wear a helmet if the owner/operator is over 21 years of age, but the owner/operator is covered by an insurance policy with at least $10,000 in medical benefits.. Florida has a lot of congested cities, which makes motorcycle riding more dangerous. Not everyone watches out for motorcycles, so motorcycle insurance in the State of Florida is very important.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law does apply to motorcycles. While you may not have to provide proof of Financial Responsibility when registering a motorcycle, it is important that all motorcycle riders have insurance to ensure personal financial protection.
The minimum “voluntary” motorcycle insurance requirement in Florida is:

• $10,000 per person bodily injury
• $20,000 total bodily injury
• $30,000 single limit liability
• $10,000 personal property damage liability

Other Insurance Coverage

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it will cover you if the other person doesn’t have insurance and she or he is at fault. Florida also offers stacked coverage, which means the amount on each car is “stacked” or in effect for all of your vehicles. You should check with your insurance agent for guidance to see if you can apply stacked coverage between your motorcycle and automobile. If so this will offer you additional protection if you take out uninsured motorist.
Some insurance companies also offer roadside service for vehicles, but may not offer it for your motorcycle. Ask the motorcycle insurance agent about any extras that you would like before you buy the insurance.

Other Requirements That May Affect Insurance Coverage

Depending on your motorcycle insurance carrier, your insurance may not cover you if you break the law. For example, Florida requires the owner/operator to wear eye protection. If you are at fault in an accident and are not wearing eye protection, your insurance company may drop you. Florida does not allow earphones, but does allow helmet speakers while driving a motorcycle.

You must have at least one mirror, turn signals and a muffler for street bikes. Ape hangers and other handlebars that are over the height of the driver’s shoulder while sitting on the bike are not legal in the State of Florida. The handlebars cannot be higher than the driver’s shoulders.

PIP Insurance

Florida is a no-fault insurance state for automobiles, but this does not apply to motorcycles. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is therefore not available for motorcycles. PIP pays 80 percent of the insured’s medical bill and 60 percent lost wages for a vehicle accident, no matter who is at fault. The coverage is required for cars and trucks, but does not extend to motorcycle coverage.

Other Requirements

The State of Florida does require that the driver have a motorcycle endorsement. A rider must take the motorcycle course, pass the skill and knowledge test and get the rider-education waiver. When you purchase motorcycle insurance, ask the insurance company if it gives discounts for the motorcycle endorsement, as some insurance companies will give you a discount.

Always check the price of the insurance in addition to what it covers. Insurance companies do not charge the same rate for the same policy. You may be able to find insurance payable on a monthly bases, payable each quarter, or in full. You can save money if you choose a policy that fits your budget and that you can pay in full, instead of in payments.