Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?

Unlike other states, Florida doesn’t require riders to purchase motorcycle insurance. While it’s true that you aren’t legally required to buy a policy, it still makes sense to be insured. Motorcycle insurance can help cover your damages if you get into an accident and limit your financial liability. Insurance also protects you in other states, should you take your bike on a road trip. It's important to note that you will be held financially responsible if charged with negligence in a motorcycle accident.

The State of Florida doesn’t require motorcycle insurance. Riders have to register their bikes with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department but don’t need to provide proof of insurance as part of that process.

While motorcycle insurance isn’t required, be aware that you will need to have proof of financial responsibility if you get into an accident.

The State of Florida only requires proof of financial responsibility after an accident. However, since you can never predict when you’ll be in a crash, it’s a good idea to obtain proof beforehand.

Aside from purchasing a motorcycle insurance policy, there are two ways you can establish proof of financial responsibility:

• Get a Financial Responsibility Certificate from the Florida Bureau of Motorist Compliance. To get the certificate, you’ll need to post a surety bond with a state-licensed company or deposit cash or securities with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department. That means you must have a minimum of $10,000 of medical benefits coverage, either through your healthcare insurance or a dedicated policy.
• Obtain a Self-Insurance Certificate. This method requires you to provide proof you can afford to cover the costs associated with an accident with your own financial resources.

Unless you have unlimited funds, it’s best to purchase a motorcycle insurance policy. Damages from motorcycle accidents can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if injuries occur and a lawsuit is filed against you. With insurance, you can demonstrate proof of financial responsibility at the time of an accident and get financial help covering damages associated with that accident.

While motorcycle insurance isn’t strictly required in Florida, we strongly recommend you purchase a policy. You’re still financially responsible in the event of an accident, even if you don’t have insurance. You’ll also need coverage if you travel outside of Florida since all other states require riders to have motorcycle insurance.

Similar to full coverage auto insurance, these policies pay for damages to both you and other riders because they include comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision coverage is what covers repair costs to your bike if you get into an at-fault accident. Without collision coverage, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself for any repairs. Comprehensive coverage takes care of non-collision-related damage to your bike, like damage from theft, vandalism or weather hazards.

Liability-only motorcycle insurance is another option for motorists. Like liability car insurance, liability-only motorcycle insurance covers any damages incurred to other riders if you’re at fault in an accident. Without liability coverage, you could be on the hook for extensive medical, legal and vehicle repair bills if you get into a crash. Florida has a minimum insurance requirement of $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability for four-wheel vehicles, but we recommend purchasing a policy with additional liability coverage: 50/100/25 or $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability.

While liability insurance can cover some costs if you get into an accident, MoneyGeek strongly recommends purchasing a full coverage policy since it also pays for your bike's damages.

Because nearly 16% of Florida drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, you could end up having to cover damages even if an accident is not your fault. For this reason, MoneyGeek also recommends purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that will cover costs if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or has a minimum level of coverage.

If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in Florida, you may be liable for damages to other drivers and their vehicles. You may also be financially responsible for your injuries or bike repairs. If you don’t have proof of financial responsibility or liability coverage, you could face more serious repercussions, like suspension of your registration and driving privileges and civil penalties as well.

While motorcycle insurance isn’t always required in Florida, it is necessary for some riders after an accident. If you’re charged in a crash, you’ll need to purchase bodily injury and property damage liability coverage for at least three years.

If you purchase a new motorcycle or move to Florida with a bike, you’ll need to register your vehicle. It costs $10 in motor vehicle registration fees to register your motorcycle with the state.

You’ll also need to meet specific licensing requirements to drive a motorcycle in Florida. If you already have a Florida driver’s license, you can get a motorcycle endorsement on it by passing the Basic RiderCourse (BRC). If you don’t already have a license, you can obtain a “Motorcycle Only” license by passing the course.

Florida will “reciprocate” your endorsement, and you won’t have to take the BRC if you have a motorcycle license in another state (except Alabama).

While Florida doesn’t mandate motorcycle insurance in most cases, riders must purchase coverage if they choose to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. These riders must have insurance with at least 10/20/10 coverage. You can only legally ride without a helmet if you buy insurance beforehand.

Florida’s “no-fault” auto insurance law requires that people driving vehicles with four or more wheels maintain at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage pays for your injuries if you get into an accident, regardless of fault.

This requirement doesn’t apply to motorcycles since motorcycles only have two wheels, and riders aren’t required to carry insurance in the state. As a motorcyclist, the best way you can cover your injuries and damages in the event of an accident is to purchase a full coverage insurance policy with collision and comprehensive coverage and PIP.

Florida requires that all vehicles with four or more wheels have insurance coverage. Auto insurance regulations in Florida require you to:

• Have a minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) insurance
• Maintain continuous coverage
• Purchase a policy from an insurer licensed in the state

Florida motorcycle insurance requirements are different from its auto requirements, auto insurance quote comparisons, and in that motorcyclists don’t have to purchase insurance unless they don’t wear a helmet or are charged in an accident.