Motorcycle Insurance Requirements In Pennsylvania

Do I Need Insurance to Ride a Motorcycle in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania law requires everyone who registers any kind of motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, to carry liability insurance.

You can buy motorcycle insurance from a company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania or you can self-insure. Most people buy insurance for convenience and because it doesn’t tie up their assets, which self-insurance does under Pennsylvania law. It is generally easy to get quotes and purchase motorcycle insurance in Pennsylvania.

What Kinds of Motorcycle Insurance Does Pennsylvania Require?

Pennsylvania requires liability coverage with certain minimums. These are:

• $15,000 for injury to one person in one accident
• $30,000 for injury to more than one person in one accident
• $5,000 for property damage in one accident

Why Does Pennsylvania Require Motorcycle Insurance?

Pennsylvania requires liability insurance so that if you are at fault in an accident that injures someone else or damages another person’s property, you will be financially capable of providing at least minimal compensation to the other person(s).

You can also get insurance to compensate you in the event of an accident. For example, you can get uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to protect you if another driver is at fault. The premium cost will be higher than for just basic liability coverage but you can compare quotes to limit your premiums.

You may also want to find out what your premiums would be if you combine motorcycle insurance with other coverage. You can talk an insurance broker to get quotes from a variety of companies. Many companies also allow you to get quotes online.

How Does Self-Insurance Work?

Pennsylvania allows individuals to self-insure by applying to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). You’ll need to provide an annual income statement and balance sheet, sign an agreement and provide collateral via bond, letter of credit, escrow agreement, securities, or the equivalent. The minimum collateral is $50,000.

You’ll need to renew your self-insurance each year, designate yourself as self-insurance administrator and issue yourself an identification card that you can present when you register your motorcycle or if you are pulled over by a police officer.

What if I Only Ride My Motorcycle in the Summer? Do I Have to Pay for Insurance All Year?

Pennsylvania provides a program of seasonal registration that allows you to drop insurance coverage during the parts of the year. If you only ride during certain seasons you don’t have to pay during the times when you aren’t riding.

You’ll have to reinstate your insurance before you get on the road again. You can get forms for seasonal registration from the DMV, a notary public, or a dealership.

What if My Liability Insurance is Canceled?

By law, if you or your insurance company cancel your coverage, the insurance company has to notify PennDOT. Insurance companies are not required to notify PennDOT when you get new insurance. Once PennDOT gets notification that your insurance has been canceled, it sends you a letter of inquiry asking for proof of new insurance.

You cannot ride your motorcycle at all without insurance.

What Are The Penalties if I Ride Without Motorcycle Insurance?

Here’s what happens if you operate a motorcycle in Pennsylvania without insurance.

• Your driver’s license is suspended for 3 months
• You have to return the motorcycle’s plate, sticker, and card plus your driver’s license to PennDOT
• Your vehicle registration is suspended for 3 months No one else can drive the motorcycle while the registration is suspended.

After you have served the suspension:

• You pay a $50 fee to get your driver’s license back
• You may have to pay another $50 fee to get your registration restored
• You have to show proof of insurance Additionally:
• You may have to pay a fine of $300

What Constitutes Proof of Insurance?

Your motorcycle insurance ID card. Carry this with you whenever you ride. This is the easiest way to show proof of insurance.

Additional forms of proof are:

• A copy of the declaration page from your policy.
• A copy of your insurance agent or broker’s application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Automobile Insurance Plan.
• Your certificate of self-insurance if you’re self-insured.
• A copy of an insurance binder covering your motorcycle. A binder is an insurance agreement in effect until your formal policy is issued.
• A letter on the letterhead of an insurance company authorized to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in Pennsylvania that verifies that you meet the financial responsibility requirements of the law.

Other Things to Know:

Pennsylvania offers a free motorcycle safety course. If you pass the course, you automatically get your motorcycle license.