The Best Cheap Motorcycle Insurance in North Carolina
Progressive has the best cheap motorcycle insurance in North Carolina, at $647 per year for full coverage.
Compare Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in North Carolina
Riders in North Carolina must have motorcycle insurance. We compared motorcycle insurance companies across the state by looking at policy offerings and customer service scores along with average cost.
Cheapest motorcycle insurance in North Carolina
The cheapest motorcycle insurance in North Carolina comes from Progressive, which provides effective coverage for $647 per year, on average. That's 31% less than the statewide average price of insurance.
The average cost of motorcycle insurance in North Carolina is $936 per year, or $78 per month.
It's much more expensive to purchase insurance for your motorcycle here than in the rest of the country, where the national average cost of insuring your motorcycle is around $702 per year.
Compare Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in North Carolina
Cheapest motorcycle insurance companies in North Carolina
Company | Annual cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $657 |
| Geico | $749 |
| Dairyland | $862 |
| Allstate | $927 |
| Nationwide | $1,487 |
Best motorcycle insurance for most people: Progressive
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Editor rating
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Annual rate
$657 ?
Why it's great
Consider this insurer if you're looking for affordable rates and many included coverages.
The best motorcycle insurance for most people in North Carolina is Progressive. It stands out from competitors due to its affordable prices and the variety of coverage included in its basic policy. The average yearly cost of motorcycle insurance from Progressive is $657, about 30% cheaper than what's typical in North Carolina.
With Progressive, you can reduce your premiums even more if you qualify for a number of discounts. You could save by:
- Requesting a quote before your policy is scheduled to start
- Bundling with another form of insurance
- Having a motorcycle endorsement on your license
- Completing a safety course
- Transferring from another motorcycle insurance agency
- Paying your bill on time or in full
Standard motorcycle insurance from Progressive comes with many perks that you can only get with other companies by submitting to an additional charge. For instance, you receive replacement cost coverage with any policy, as well as $3,000 of custom parts protection.
In North Carolina, Progressive has above-average customer service. The complaint index, maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), reveals that Progressive receives 28% fewer complaints than what's typical for its market share.
Best for customer service: Geico
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Editor rating
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Annual rate
$749 ?
Why it's great
Consider this company if you want strong customer service or have an existing Geico policy.
Geico's balance of strong customer service, cheap rates and effective coverage makes it a good choice for many North Carolinians. The company had the best NAIC complaint index numbers in North Carolina, receiving only 64% of complaint volume expected for a company its size.
Geico also has an "A++" rating for financial stability from AM Best. That means in a catastrophe that affects a large number of customers, Geico will be in good position to pay out all claims.
On average, Geico has some of the most affordable motorcycle insurance in North Carolina of the companies we surveyed: Geico's $749 price tag was about 20% cheaper than the typical cost of coverage in the state.
Geico doesn't offer its customers the most opportunities for reducing their premiums with discounts, but if you already have car insurance customer through Geico or are looking to insure more than one bike, you may be able to make the most of the available discounts. You may qualify for savings if you:
- Bundle your policy with another form of coverage
- Insure more than one motorcycle
- Complete a safety course
- Are an older experienced driver
- Renew your policy with Geico
- Switch from another provider
Best for touring: Dairyland
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Editor rating
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Annual rate
$862 ?
Why it's great
Consider this provider if you want coverage catered to protecting your bike on long trips.
People who like to drive long distances with their motorcycles should look into Dairyland for motorcycle insurance. It's still less expensive than the average cost of coverage in the state, and we believe the coverage from Dairyland caters to those looking to protect touring bikes from perils that could disrupt a trip. In any case, we recommend obtaining a personal estimate from Dairyland to confirm that its price would work for you.
You can purchase trip interruption protection for damages you encounter after you're 100 miles from home, including assistance if you:
- Run out of gas or oil
- Have a dead battery
- Lose your keys
- Get a flat tire
- Need a tow
Dairyland's endorsements allow you to easily reinforce your bike's security. You can also elect to add replacement cost coverage to your motorcycle insurance policy if your bike is three years old or newer. Dairyland's physical damage plus optional/special equipment endorsements are both ways to ensure all your bike's damaged parts are returned to like new.
The main downside of Dairyland's motorcycle insurance is its customer service reputation. With a 2.69 complaint index, the company has the worst customer satisfaction among customers we surveyed. However, Dairyland has a small market share, meaning a small number of complaints can disproportionately affect its index. In fact, it only received 14 complaints nationally and three in North Carolina in 2020.
The best reviewed motorcycle insurance companies in North Carolina
It's a good idea to investigate an insurance company’s customer service reputation before committing to a policy. To help you find the motorcycle insurance company with the best customer service, we consulted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) complaint index. The company with the best customer service was Geico with a 0.64 complaint index rating.
We've visualized this information in the following table:
Insurer | NAIC complaint index | AM Best FSR |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 0.72 | A+ |
| Nationwide | 0.88 | A+ |
| Geico | 0.64 | A++ |
| Allstate | 2.24 | A+ |
| Dairyland | 2.69 | A+ |
| USAA | 0.85 | A++ |
What are North Carolina's motorcycle laws?
Whether you live in North Carolina or are just cruising through, familiarize yourself with the state's laws for motorcyclists. If you don’t comply with local regulations regarding gear, insurance and licensing, you may face fines or other penalties. If you have a moped or scooter, your vehicle will be subject to a different set of laws.
North Carolina's motorcycle license requirements
North Carolina requires you to have a motorcycle learner's permit or endorsement on your regular driver's license. Fortunately, it's fairly straightforward to get certified. If you just need a learner's permit, you must pass a motorcycle knowledge test, road sign identification test and vision test.
To obtain an endorsement on your license, you’ll have to pass a motorcycle knowledge test and an on-road skills test. Both types of certification require you to already have a regular license.
Helmet laws in North Carolina
Whether you're driving a motorcycle or riding with someone else, you must wear a helmet. Helmets in compliance with the state's safety standards are marked by a Department of Transportation sticker stuck permanently to the back. Helmets that are in compliance will have a lining of foam that's at least one-inch thick.
Sometimes it's possible to find novelty-style helmets with facsimiles of the Department of Transportation's sticker. However, these aren't actually compliant with North Carolina's regulations.
Motorcycle insurance requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina motorcycle owners are required to carry a minimum level of liability insurance. This coverage is meant to protect the policyholder from damage they may cause to other motorists if they were involved in an accident.
We've listed the legally mandated coverage minimums below, but we recommend that you purchase enough insurance to adequately protect your assets — even if it exceeds the state's minimum requirements.
Coverage type | Required minimum insurance |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 |
Motorcycle insurance costs: city-by-city breakdowns
That the most expensive city for buying motorcycle insurance is Fayetteville, where annual premiums average $1,104 — almost $400 more than the state's typical cost. Three cities tied for the state's lowest rate of $669 per year: West Jefferson, Bryson City and Sylva.
City | Annual cost | Difference from statewide average |
|---|---|---|
| Asheboro | $868 | -7.3% |
| Asheville | $844 | -9.8% |
| Boone | $840 | -10.3% |
| Burlington | $868 | -7.3% |
| Cary | $943 | 0.6% |
Methodology
We collected hundreds of quotes for addresses in different ZIP codes across North Carolina. Our survey uses rates generated for a 45-year-old married homeowner who drives a 2021 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide. Our rates reflect higher levels of protection than what's legally required in North Carolina — we always recommend that you purchase enough insurance to protect the full value of your assets and property. Your own quotes may vary. The quotes we collected were based on the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $50,000 per accident
- Collision coverage: Included/$500 deductible
- Comprehensive coverage: Included/$500 deductible
- All other coverages: Not included
The number of years you've been riding your motorcycle and your driving history can affect the price of your rates. However, no variables affect the price of motorcycle insurance as much as the amount of coverage you select.