Updated: May 22, 2024
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Rates for motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old vary based on several factors, including where you live, the make and model of the motorcycle and your driving history. Be sure to get quotes from at least three different insurance companies if you want to find the cheapest motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old.
Based on our research, the average cost of motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old is $1,146 per year for a full coverage policy. That’s $239 more than the average premium for a 21-year-old rider and $782 higher than a 40-year-old pays.
For liability-only coverage, the average annual rate drops to $302 for a 16-year-old. While this is still double what a 40-year-old pays, it’s closer to the $255 a 21-year-old is charged for the same coverage.
Age | Liability-Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
16 | $302 | $1,146 |
18 | $313 | $1,124 |
21 | $255 | $907 |
40 | $141 | $364 |
Rates for motorcycle insurance for 16-year-old riders can vary significantly from insurer to insurer, so it’s important to get quotes from at least three different companies. MoneyGeek found that — on average — Progressive offers the cheapest motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old at $769 for full coverage and $238 for liability-only.
Company | Liability-Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
GEICO | $250 | $899 |
Nationwide | $409 | $1,740 |
Progressive | $238 | $769 |
Full coverage insurance includes collision and comprehensive coverage. These coverages pay for damage to your vehicle. Liability-only insurance covers damage and injuries you cause to others in an accident. It does not provide coverage for you or your vehicle. Liability-only motorcycle coverage is required in most — but not all — states.
After analyzing the average cost of policies, discounts, and service ratings from J.D. Power for most major motorcycle providers, MoneyGeek recommends Progressive as our top pick for 16-year-olds.
Lowest average rates for motorcycle insurance for 16-year-old riders.
Full range of coverage options, including extra coverage such as roadside assistance.
Enjoys the same liability limits if added to parents’ policy.
Don’t sell stand-alone policies to 16-year-olds in some states
Company has average customer service ratings from J.D. Power.
Progressive receives more complaints than average, according to the NAIC.
Progressive offers coverage for most legal motorcycles, running from cruisers to custom bikes and even dirt bikes. Standard motorcycle coverage includes bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, comprehensive and collision, and medical payments. Automatic coverages include full replacement cost and no depreciation for parts, accessories, custom parts, custom equipment, and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts.
Optional coverages from Progressive include total loss coverage for a new motorcycle, roadside assistance and trip interruption, carried contents for your personal belongings, disappearing deductible, and enhanced injury protection.
If you’re a parent who adds your 16-year-old to your existing car insurance policy, they’ll automatically have the same coverage you do.
Motorcycle insurance rates vary from state to state, in part because each state has its own minimum requirements for coverage and liability. However, rates are also based on other factors, like how many claims are filed where you live. Our review found that Alaska has the cheapest motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old, with an average yearly rate of $419. On the other hand, Rhode Island has the most expensive motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old at $1,440 per year, on average.
State | Full Coverage (40-Year-Old) | Full Coverage (16-Year-Old) | Increase vs. 40-Year-Old | % Increase vs. 40-Year-Old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $273 | $663 | $390 | 143% |
Alaska | $200 | $419 | $220 | 110% |
Arizona | $380 | $991 | $611 | 161% |
Arkansas | $411 | $905 | $493 | 120% |
California | $380 | $1,034 | $654 | 172% |
Colorado | $321 | $832 | $511 | 159% |
Connecticut | $349 | $831 | $482 | 138% |
Delaware | $466 | $1,268 | $802 | 172% |
Florida | $297 | $680 | $383 | 129% |
Georgia | $399 | $1,100 | $701 | 176% |
Hawaii | $351 | $882 | $531 | 151% |
Idaho | $352 | $930 | $578 | 164% |
Illinois | $417 | $950 | $534 | 128% |
Indiana | $449 | $1,023 | $574 | 128% |
Iowa | $238 | $524 | $286 | 120% |
Kansas | $231 | $491 | $259 | 112% |
Kentucky | $456 | $1,159 | $703 | 154% |
Louisiana | $459 | $1,220 | $762 | 166% |
Maine | $319 | $861 | $542 | 170% |
Maryland | $373 | $955 | $582 | 156% |
Massachusetts | $335 | $868 | $533 | 159% |
Michigan | $456 | $1,062 | $606 | 133% |
Minnesota | $224 | $477 | $253 | 113% |
Mississippi | $530 | $1,251 | $721 | 136% |
Missouri | $496 | $1,305 | $809 | 163% |
Montana | $170 | $426 | $256 | 150% |
Nebraska | $344 | $753 | $409 | 119% |
Nevada | $485 | $1,252 | $767 | 158% |
New Hampshire | $358 | $917 | $559 | 156% |
New Jersey | $557 | $1,187 | $630 | 113% |
New Mexico | $418 | $870 | $452 | 108% |
New York | $282 | $584 | $302 | 107% |
North Carolina | $377 | $806 | $429 | 114% |
North Dakota | $222 | $531 | $309 | 139% |
Ohio | $315 | $841 | $526 | 167% |
Oklahoma | $320 | $722 | $403 | 126% |
Oregon | $368 | $770 | $401 | 109% |
Pennsylvania | $284 | $664 | $380 | 134% |
Rhode Island | $565 | $1,440 | $875 | 155% |
South Carolina | $360 | $973 | $613 | 170% |
South Dakota | $237 | $602 | $365 | 154% |
Tennessee | $411 | $1,097 | $686 | 167% |
Texas | $472 | $996 | $524 | 111% |
Utah | $376 | $885 | $508 | 135% |
Vermont | $337 | $809 | $472 | 140% |
Virginia | $413 | $1,114 | $702 | 170% |
Washington | $288 | $720 | $432 | 150% |
West Virginia | $490 | $1,215 | $725 | 148% |
Wisconsin | $291 | $664 | $373 | 128% |
Wyoming | $247 | $668 | $422 | 171% |
Motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old rider is more expensive than older riders as a result of their inexperience. Younger riders are seen as more likely to take risks than experienced drivers, potentially causing more accidents and, therefore, more claims.
Keep in mind that many companies don’t offer policies for 16-year-old riders due to risk. Dairyland and Markel typically don’t provide policies to 16-year-old riders. Depending on the state, GEICO, Progressive and Nationwide also won’t offer a separate policy for a 16-year-old. Fortunately, many companies will allow 16-year-old riders to be added to their parents’ policies.
The average annual rate for motorcycle insurance for a 40-year-old rider is just $364, while the typical yearly premium for a 16-year-old is $1,146.
There are a few steps you can take to find the cheapest motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old rider.
Our data suggests a shopper can save up to 56% on motorcycle insurance by comparing quotes from multiple companies.
One of the key factors insurance companies look at when determining insurance rates is the type of vehicle you own and how safe it is.
In most cases, you’ll pay much cheaper rates by adding a 16-year-old rider to a parent’s existing insurance policy.
This option can help you save significantly since liability insurance is much less expensive than full coverage. However, keep in mind that you’ll also have to cover your own medical costs, as well as the cost to replace your bike if you’re at fault in an accident.
When shopping for motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old, many consumers have questions. MoneyGeek answered some of the most common ones below.
On average, the rate for motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old is $1,146 per year for full coverage. For liability-only coverage, the average rate is $302 per year.
According to our research, Progressive offers the cheapest motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old, with average annual rates of $769 for full coverage and $238 for liability-only coverage.
Not all insurers offer motorcycle insurance for a 16-year-old rider and the providers that do require the teenager to be added to their parent’s existing car insurance policy. However, some companies offer stand-alone policies for a 16-year-old motorcycle rider, although they usually are more expensive. Coverage options range from full coverage with collision and comprehensive to liability-only policies.
MoneyGeek calculated the sample rates on this page by gathering quotes for a 16-year-old Honda Rebel 500 rider with a good driving record.
Our sample premiums reflect the following coverage limits:
When sample rates were for a full coverage policy, note that the policy includes comprehensive and collision with a $500 deductible.
About Karon Warren
Karon Warren is a finance journalist at MoneyGeek and a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She has over two decades of experience covering personal finance, health insurance, home insurance, car insurance, mortgages and banking.
Warren earned her journalism degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She creates in-depth, well-researched finance content that educates people and helps them make informed financial decisions.
