Why Is My Motorcycle Premium So High? 6 Steps to Review

Why is my motorcycle insurance so high? Several things stack up: federal crash data shows riders face far higher odds of death and injury than people in cars, motorcycles get stolen, and California rules let insurers weigh your record, experience and bike. The good news is that several of those pieces are within your control, from rider training to where you park at night.

Picture a rider in Rancho Cucamonga opening a renewal notice and wondering what changed. This guide covers the reasons behind a high premium and practical steps that may bring it down.

The Crash Risk Behind Motorcycle Rates

The national numbers for riders are stark. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in 2024, which was 16% of all traffic fatalities. The agency adds that per vehicle miles traveled in 2024, motorcyclists were "almost 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash" and almost 5 times more likely to be injured.

California has its own share. The UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) states: "In 2023, 14 percent (or 583) of all motor vehicle fatalities in California were motorcyclists."

NHTSA also found that of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 2024, 35% "were riding without valid motorcycle licenses". A proper license and training are part of lowering risk, which we cover below.

Theft and Recovery

Theft is the other big loss insurers see. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), in an August 3, 2026 release, reported: "A total of 44,564 motorcycles were reported stolen, with 41% eventually recovered." The same release says recovery chances for motorcycles and other recreational vehicles "are increased by how quickly the theft is discovered and reported".

Comprehensive coverage is the part of a policy that responds to theft. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) says it "pays for damages caused by an event other than a collision, such as fire, theft or vandalism".

Your Record, Miles and Experience

California regulations set three mandatory rating factors for auto policies under 10 CCR Section 2632.5: your driving safety record, the miles you drive each year, and your years of driving experience.

For riders, the experience factor has a special rule. It "shall refer to the number of years that the driver rated on the insured vehicle has been licensed to drive such vehicles in any jurisdiction". Years of car driving do not count toward this factor, though years licensed to ride in another state do.

Each insurer builds these factors into its own class plan, so the same rider can see different results from different companies.

Your Bike and Your Coverage Choices

The same regulation lets insurers use optional factors, including "Type of vehicle" and "Vehicle performance capabilities, including alterations made subsequent to original manufacture". Triple-I lists the "Type or style of bike you ride", the "Age of the motorcycle", and "Where you store your bike" among items that affect cost.

Modifications are worth a closer look. Our post on custom motorcycle mods and California rules covers the legal side, and our guide to coverage for a customized bike covers how upgrades are handled.

Why Is My Motorcycle Insurance So High, and What Can I Do?

You cannot change national crash data, but these steps address factors riders can influence.

1. Take the CHP rider training course

The California Highway Patrol runs the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Its Motorcyclist Training Course is "a 15 hour course which includes 5 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of actual riding". CHP says: "Passing the class could result in insurance breaks." State rules also list completion of driver training as an optional rating factor.

2. Get properly licensed

The DMV Motorcyclists Guide says riders under 21 "must complete a motorcycle rider training course approved by the CHP" and must hold a class M1 or M2 permit for six months before getting a motorcycle license. Years licensed on a motorcycle feed the experience factor.

3. Protect your record

Your driving safety record is a mandatory factor, so every violation and at-fault accident counts. The DMV guide urges riders to "never ride under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants".

4. Wear a DOT-compliant helmet

It is the law, and it protects you. The California Motorcycle Handbook says all riders and passengers are required under California Vehicle Code section 27803 to wear a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. NHTSA adds that in a serious crash, "the best hope you have for protecting your brain is a motorcycle helmet". NHTSA puts national use of DOT-compliant helmets at 74% in 2023, and SafeTREC reports a known helmet use rate of 82.7 percent in 2023 in states with a universal helmet law.

5. Store and lock the bike well

NICB recommends that owners "Store vehicles in locked garages or other secure, enclosed locations whenever possible" and "Use multiple layers of anti-theft protection, including steering locks, chains and immobilizers". Keep records of your VIN and current photos, too.

6. Review deductibles and discounts, then compare

The Department of Insurance's auto guide notes: "You usually pay a lower premium if you choose a higher deductible." Triple-I mentions training course, mature rider and multi-bike discounts. The Department's Compare Insurance Premiums page offers a 2026 sample rate comparison that includes motorcycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do new riders often pay more?

Years of experience is one of three mandatory rating factors in California. Under 10 CCR Section 2632.5, for motorcycle coverage that factor refers to the years the rated driver has been licensed to drive such vehicles in any jurisdiction, so car driving years do not count toward it.

Does California require a helmet?

Yes. The California Motorcycle Handbook says all riders and passengers are required per CVC section 27803 to wear a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. NHTSA calls a helmet the best hope for protecting your brain in a serious crash.

Is motorcycle theft still a problem?

Yes. NICB reported 44,564 motorcycles stolen in 2025, with 41% eventually recovered. NICB says quick discovery and reporting improve recovery chances, and it recommends locked, enclosed storage and multiple layers of anti-theft protection such as locks, chains and immobilizers.

Take a Second Look at Your Policy

A high premium is a good reason to review what you are paying for. At Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas, we can go over your limits, deductibles and any discounts you may qualify for, and our advice library has more rider guides. Coverage depends on your policy. Get a free quote and coverage review with our team.

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Written by LaMonte Douglas, owner of Young Douglas Insurance, a Farmers Insurance agency serving California from Ontario. CA License #4091974.

Sources (accessed September 23, 2026): NHTSA, Motorcycle Safety; UC Berkeley SafeTREC, 2025 Traffic Safety Facts: Motorcycle Safety; NICB, Recreational Vehicle Thefts Declined in 2025, August 3, 2026; Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 10, Section 2632.5; CHP, California Motorcyclist Safety; California DMV, Motorcyclists Guide; California DMV, Motorcycle Handbook: Preparing to Ride; Insurance Information Institute, Motorcycle insurance; California Department of Insurance, Automobile Insurance guide, February 2025; California Department of Insurance, Compare Insurance Premiums.

Last updated: September 23, 2026.