Iowa Motorcycle Insurance

The State of Iowa does not require a motorcycle rider to have insurance, though the Financial and Safety Responsibility Act states that you could lose your license and registration if you do not provide financial responsibility or proof of insurance after an accident. Because you could be sued for an accident that is not your fault, you should have motorcycle insurance. Additionally, if you lose your license because you were charged with operating under the influence, you must provide proof of financial responsibility for two years after you were convicted.

How to Establish Financial Responsibility After an Accident

After an accident, if you must provide financial responsibility, you can do this in several ways:

• You can submit releases from everyone that was involved in the accident. The releases must be official.
• You can pay for the charges that are related to the accident by submitting cash, a cashier’s check, bank draft, postal money order or certified check to the Office of Driver Services.
• Show proof of documentation of a full settlement of all injuries and/or damages.
• You can pay the people with property damage and/or injured drivers and passengers on an installment plan.
• You can execute a warrant for confession of judgment, which includes a payment schedule. This eliminates your right to defend against the accident.
• You can submit a copy of a civil action decision (order) that relieves you of any responsibility that is related to the accident.

If you must show proof of financial responsibility after an OWI conviction, you must have your insurance company file a Form SR-22 with the Office of Driver Services. Alternatively, you can post a surety bond, securities or cash of $55,000.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

If you do find yourself in a situation where you must carry motorcycle insurance, the minimum liability insurance amounts are:

• $20,000 for the injury of one person in any one accident.
• $40,000 for the injury of two or more people in any one accident.
• $15,000 for property damage.

Depending on the type of motorcycle you have and your financial situation, you may want to purchase an insurance policy with higher limits, especially if you have a family.

Penalties for Not Maintaining Financial Responsibility

The Iowa Financial and Safety Responsibility Act requires you to carry insurance on your motorcycle in certain cases. If you don’t have insurance — even if your friend or relative is driving the bike and that person doesn’t “need” insurance, you will suffer certain consequences. The insurance goes with the bike, so if you must have insurance, it doesn’t matter who is driving, you will face the penalties for not having insurance.

There are three exceptions to this rule:

• If the accident that caused the property damage or injury happened because someone stole your motorcycle, you will not be charged.
• If the accident did not injure anyone but you and did not cause property damage, you will not be charged.
• If your motorcycle was parked legally or stopped at the time of the accident, you will not be charged.

Also, if you are asked to show proof of financial responsibility pursuant to Iowa’s Financial and Safety Responsibility Act, you must provide proof for your car and your motorcycle or you will not be able to keep your license and registration.

Safety Requirements

Helmets and eye protection are not required in the State of Iowa. It is recommended that you wear eye protection, even if you have a windscreen. If you are carrying a passenger, your bike must have a passenger seat and foot pegs for the passenger. Iowa does not have an age restriction for passengers. There are no restrictions for handlebars, but the motorcycle must have at least one mirror.

Off Road Requirements

Helmets are required for off road riding. Eye protection is not required, but if you are riding without a full-face helmet or the shield is up on your full-face helmet, it is recommended that you wear eye protection.

There is no age restriction for riding ATVs on private land; however, if you are 12 years or younger, you must be taking a safety training course and you must be under the direct supervision of the instructor. Once you have taken the course, you must be under direct supervision of an adult with a valid driver’s license. If you are between 12 and 17 years of age, you may ride on public lands if you have the safety certificate.