Before You Ride: Motorcycle Insurance Explained

You need to have motorcycle insurance

Motorcycle insurance rates are based upon factors such as your age, your riding experience and the type of motorbike (or moped, motor scooter or motor-assisted bicycle) you ride. Your insurer can tell you the specific insurance requirements for your province or territory.

A motorcycle insurance policy includes standard coverage items such as:

• Third-party liability: This coverage protects you if you are at fault in an accident causing bodily injury or property damage to another person. Check with your insurer to confirm whether your passenger is covered on the Liability or the Accident benefit portion of your policy.
• Accident benefits: Pays for medical treatment, income replacement and other benefits to help you recover if you are injured in a collision, regardless of who caused it.
• Uninsured automobile coverage: Protects you in the event of death or injury caused by an uninsured motorist or by a hit-and-run.
• Direct compensation property damage (DCPD): This coverage protects you against damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident that is not your fault or is only partially your fault. DCPD is not available in all provinces.¹

7 ways to save money on your motorbike insurance

1. Ask for discounts
   Ask your current car and/or home insurer whether you can reduce rates by bundling with your car and home insurance. Other discounts may be available.
2. Increase your deductible
   If you can afford it, a higher deductible can reduce your premiums.
3. Drop Collision coverage
   Collision coverage may not be worth it for an older motorcycle with a low replacement cost. This means you won’t be covered for damage to the bike for at-fault collisions and some other types of accidents, so talk it over with your insurer before you decide.
4. Don’t cancel your policy in the winter
   You won’t save on premiums, and your motorcycle won’t be covered if damage occurs while it’s in storage. Plus, you’ll be insured if you want to go for a ride!
5. Make and model
   Newer, faster or higher value motorcycles are more likely to be stolen and repairs are more expensive – both of which result in higher premiums.
6. Keep a clean record
   Younger riders or those with a poor driving record can typically expect to pay higher premiums.
7. Secure your bike
   Store your bike in a locked facility and install an anti-theft device on it, and your insurance premiums may go down.

5 tips for safe, claims-free riding

1. Wear an approved helmet
   Helmets help prevent collision deaths for both motorcycle riders and their passengers. Check for the helmet’s expiry date, and throw it away after it’s been in an accident.
2.  Check your bike before you ride
   Things like tires, brakes and oil and gas levels. And make sure your motorcycle insurance is up to date! 
3.  Wear highly visible protective gear
   Wear a jacket, pants, gloves and riding boots. Fluorescent material and reflective striping is always helpful.
4.  Be alert, especially at intersections
   In Canada, more motorcycle collisions occur at intersections than anywhere else on the road.
5. Always respect speed limits and road conditions
   According to Transport Canada research, 38% of fatally injured motorcyclists had been speeding just before they crashed.

For more on this topic, visit:

CAA Quebec: Motorcycle Insurance

Insurance Bureau of Canada: Motorcycle Insurance

Transport Canada: Road Safety in Canada