Best Motorcycle Insurance in Louisiana

The Pelican State makes for some beautiful rides, from its vibrant wildflower fields to the scenic coastland. Louisiana has the 2^nd fewest total number of registered bikes in the U.S., but motorcyclists still account for about 10% of accidents in the state. A motorcycle insurance policy can help you take on the streets safely.

Benzinga’s research can help you understand Louisiana’s motorcycle insurance requirements and find the best insurers today.

Best Motorcycle Insurance

Louisiana residents have numerous options to help them select coverage options, save money and qualify for a handful of discounts. Get a motorcycle insurance quote from a few national providers in minutes and see how much you could start saving.

Louisiana Motorcycle Insurance: An Overview

Louisiana state laws require that you provide proof of minimum liability policy when you first register a bike in the state. The annual average rate with a clean driving record is $1,175.

You must carry liability insurance with the following minimum limits:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per individual
• $30,000 for all persons injured in an accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

Louisiana Motorcycle Insurance Law Explained

You can’t register a bike in Louisiana without proof of the state’s minimum insurance coverage. You must also provide proof of insurance upon request — during a traffic stop or after an accident. Louisiana is an “at-fault” state but there’s a catch — you can’t file a claim against another rider’s insurance if you don’t have coverage.

The state follows a 15/30/25 cover, that is, $15,000 in bodily injury coverage of 1 person, $30,000 in bodily injury coverage for all persons in an accident and $25,000 for property damage per incident. Although Louisiana state laws require you to have the minimum amount of liability coverage, you could add some optional coverages for extra protection. These include:

• Collision insurance: This covers damage to your bike if you’re involved in a collision with another vehicle. The insurance company will pay for all damages — typically the initial book value of your bike, less your deductible.
• Comprehensive coverage: This pays for any damages resulting from any event other than a collision, including theft, vandalism or fire. Similar to collision coverage, your insurer will only cover the book value of your motorcycle.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: This pays for damages to yourself and your property caused by another driver who doesn’t carry sufficient insurance (underinsured) or doesn’t have insurance (uninsured).
• Coverage for customized bike parts: Most collision and comprehensive policies only cover the factory-installed parts on your bike or will limit the coverage. You may need a separate policy to cover any optional accessories you add to your motorbike, such as custom paint, chrome parts or trailers. Check with your insurance company to understand the coverage limits.

Violation of the state minimum motorcycle insurance requirements will result in a fine of no more than $500 in addition to any other applicable penalties.

Louisiana Motorcycle Traffic Laws You Should Know

You’ll need to provide proof of appropriate license endorsement when applying for motorcycle insurance in Louisiana. You must also maintain proof of your current liability insurance or other approved security in the motorcycle at all times.

Here are a few other highlights to keep in mind when riding on Louisiana’s public roads.

• Helmet use: All riders must have their safety helmet on when driving. There are 2 main options to choose from: three-quarter coverage and full-face coverage. The helmet you choose must meet the Department of Transport (DOT) and state standards, fit snugly and have no obvious defects. A helmet with a label from the Snell Memorial Foundation gives an assurance of better quality.
• Eye protective devices: You can’t operate a motorcycle unless you’re wearing a protective eye device, except when your bike is fitted with a windshield that affords adequate eye protection. Eye protective gear like face shields, goggles and safety glasses must meet the state’s performance specifications. Any eye devices used at night shouldn’t be tinted.
• Handlebars: Bike handlebars shouldn’t go above your shoulder height when you’re riding.
• Lamps and usage: A motorcycle must be equipped with at least 1 and no more than 2 headlamps, which must emit a white light only. Your bike must also have at least 1 tail lamp.
• Passengers: Your bike must have a separate passenger seat and footrests. The passenger must also wear an approved helmet and eye protection.
• Fuel tank caps: You shouldn’t ride a motorcycle if the filling spout for the fuel tank is closed or partially closed with rags, a plug of wood or any combustible material.  
• Lane use: Every rider is entitled to full lane use but 2 motorcycles can ride side-by-side in 1 lane. Lane splitting isn’t allowed.
• Mirrors: A motorcycle must have at least 1 mirror.
• Safety inspection: Periodic bike safety inspections are required by law.
• Other required equipment: Your motorcycle should be equipped with functional brakes, mirror, horn and muffler that meets Louisiana’s requirements, stop lamp and turn signals.

Drunk driving: In Louisiana, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% and above is considered intoxication and you could be convicted for driving under influence (DUI). Fines, jail terms and a driving license suspension are part of the penalties you attract. For instance, you could serve a 6-month jail term for a first time DUI offense.

Louisiana Motorcycle Insurance Rates Per Bike

The average cost of motorcycle insurance in Louisiana is $1,175 per year or $98 per month. Although factors like your age, where you live, driving record, age of the bike and number of miles you ride a year will impact your premium rates, your motorcycle itself has a great impact on how much you pay, depending on its type, engine capacity, safety ratings and modifications.

Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha make up some of the nation’s prominent bike brands. These bike brands manufacture a huge number of sports bikes commonly used in racing events. When it comes to the type of bike, most riders can choose between sport bikes and cruiser bikes.

Sportbikes are designed for high-speed driving — they are more expensive to insure compared to cruise bikes. The higher insurance rates are because sportbikes have a higher risk of crashing. Cruise bikes have mid-level insurance rates but a larger engine displacement could increase the premiums. Touring bikes have a lower accident risk, so they are cheap to insure.

The engine capacity will also impact your insurance rates. A larger displacement engine means that you have a more powerful bike with a higher risk of accumulating speeding tickets. You’ll pay more to insure a higher capacity bike.

It will cost you more to insure a customized bike compared to a standard bike. Custom bikes are often fitted with additional accessories like chrome parts or custom paint which may require extra coverage through a rider policy.

Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in Louisiana

Motorcycle insurance companies sell insurance policies whose prices vary greatly, so it pays to shop around. Start your comparison shopping with these quotes from top carriers in Louisiana.

Motorcycle Insurance Discounts

Similar to auto insurance, maintaining a clean driving record with no violations will keep your insurance premium rates down. Some insurers also offer driver discounts and other ways to save on your motorcycle insurance policy. Some common insurance discounts include:

• Multiple-bike discounts: You may shave costs off your insurance policy of insuring more than 1 bike. Getting your bike insurance policy from your home or auto insurer may also qualify you for multi-policy discounts.
• Training course discounts: These discounts are offered to riders who have completed courses like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course. These courses are incredibly useful for riders under 25 years of age and who are considered higher risk.
• Mature rider discounts: Experienced riders can save money with these discounts.
• Organization member discounts: You could save money on your motorcycle insurance costs for being a member of a motorcycle association or club. Popular rider organizations include the American Motorcycle Association, Harley Owners Group, Honda Riders Club of America and more.
• Transfer discounts: Carriers welcome riders with policy discounts for switching coverage to them.
• Anti-lock brakes: You may qualify for a discount if your motorbike is fitted with a factory-installed anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Here are discounts offered by Louisiana’s top motorcycle insurance carriers.

Add Confidence to Your Ride

Motorcycling is undeniably fun — you can easily forget that it comes with its fair share of potential danger. Affordable motorcycle insurance with full coverage can make cruising through your state even more breathtaking. State minimum coverage limits are a good place to start but remember there’s always the choice of picking higher limits than the bare minimum.

Talk to your provider to understand what coverages best suit your needs and how various activities could net you savings through various insurance discounts. Start with our recommended providers to obtain quotes today.