Motorcycle Insurance for New York
New York motorcycle insurance for riders who know the roads.
From the Hawk's Nest curves on Route 97 to the Bear Mountain switchbacks, Roamly works with carriers who understand how New Yorkers actually ride.
New York at a Glance
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Minimum liability | 25/50/10 ($25k bodily injury per person, $50k per accident, $10k property damage). If a death results, the limits rise to $50k per person and $100k per accident. Uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50 is also required. |
Helmet law | Required for every rider and passenger, at every age. Helmets must meet the federal DOT standard (FMVSS 218), and the operator must also wear goggles or a face shield. |
Lane splitting | Illegal. Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1252 bars riding between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles. |
Registration | Registrations run for one year, and every motorcycle registration in the state expires April 30. Annual safety inspection required (as of September 2026, the station fee is $6). No emissions test for motorcycles. |
Requirements and regulations may change. Verify with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles and the New York Department of Financial Services for the most current information.
What you need to know about Motorcycle Insurance in New York
Whether you're commuting over the Queensboro Bridge or heading north to the Adirondacks for the weekend, here's what actually shapes your policy.
New York's 25/50/10 Minimum
The state requires $25k/$50k bodily injury and $10k property damage, plus 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage. One detail most riders miss: New York's no-fault system doesn't apply to motorcycles, so your bike policy won't pay your own medical bills the way a car policy's no-fault would. We'll help you figure out whether the minimums are enough for how you ride. Requirements vary by state — check the New York Department of Financial Services for current minimums.
Agreed Value for Custom Builds
Your Sportster with the S&S pipes and custom paint isn't a stock bike. Roamly works with carriers who may value your sweat equity, not some database guess. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
Peer-to-Peer Rental Coverage
Here's the New York catch: peer-to-peer platforms currently don't list New York-registered motorcycles, because the state's vehicle-sharing law covers cars, not bikes. Twisted Road, for example, doesn't operate in New York at all. If that changes, or your bike is registered in another state, know that many personal policies exclude rental use. Roamly works with carriers who may be able to help you understand your options. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
SR-22 Filing When Needed
New York doesn't use SR-22 filings for its own violations. If you moved here from a state that still requires one, that obligation usually follows you until it ends. Roamly works with carriers that file SR-22s, so the paperwork gets done right. No judgment. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
Protection Beyond Basics
Type | Details |
|---|---|
Mechanical Breakdown Coverage | Engines fail at the worst times — like halfway up Whiteface. Through Roamly's carrier partners, coverage may be available to help with sudden mechanical breakdowns beyond warranty. |
Riding Gear Coverage | Helmets, jackets, boots, and gloves — and in New York, the helmet and eye protection aren't optional. Roamly works with carriers who may offer coverage options to help protect your riding equipment. |
Agreed Value for Custom Builds | Your garage-built bike is worth more than a database number. Roamly works with carriers who offer Agreed Value coverage that may insure your build for what it's actually worth. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details. |
Thinking About Renting Your Bike?
A New York riding season doesn't last all year, and a bike that sits in the garage still costs you money. Renting it out isn't really an option here yet: New York's vehicle-sharing law covers four-wheel vehicles and leaves motorcycles out, so peer-to-peer platforms currently don't list New York-registered bikes. If the rules change, or you keep a bike registered in another state, check both the platform's rules and your policy before you hand over the keys — many personal policies exclude rental use. Roamly works with carriers who may be able to help you understand what is and isn't covered. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
What New York Actually Requires
New York mandates 25/50/10 liability coverage plus 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage. That's $25k per person and $50k per accident for bodily injury, $10k for property damage, and higher limits ($50k/$100k) when a crash causes a death. Add a DOT helmet and goggles or a face shield every single time you ride. Because no-fault doesn't cover motorcycles, the minimums leave a real gap for your own injuries, and they won't go far if you total a Road King or hurt someone badly. We'll help you figure out what makes sense for your situation.
Requirements vary by state — check New York's Department of Financial Services for current minimums.
Custom Builds Get Real Value
You built your bike the way you wanted it: Vance & Hines exhaust, Corbin seat, custom paint, and upgraded suspension. Stock book value doesn't account for the work you put in or the parts you upgraded. Roamly works with carriers who offer Agreed Value coverage options — we'll help document your build so it can be insured for what it's actually worth, which can make a claim smoother if you ever need to file one. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Roamly is a licensed insurance agency. Insurance policies referenced are offered through Roamly and underwritten by third-party carriers including Progressive, National General, Foremost, Safeco, Nationwide, Dairyland, Mercury, and Plymouth Rock, among others. Not all products or coverages are available in every state. Coverage terms, conditions, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and availability vary by state, carrier, and policy. This page is provided for general information and is not a contract of insurance. See the actual policy for a full description of coverages, terms, and conditions. New York law references current as of September 2026 — confirm current requirements with the New York Department of Financial Services and the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.
Why Roamly?
Tailored coverage
We know a cruiser isn't a sport bike. Roamly helps you find the coverage that fits with how you ride, from dirt trails to open roads.
Custom parts protection
Most insurers offer minimal coverage for custom parts. Our partners provide up to $20,000 in coverage for your aftermarket mods and custom work.
Track day coverage
Most insurers don’t cover organized track events, riding schools, and time trials. Push your limits. We’ll make sure you’re covered.
New York requires 25/50/10 liability coverage: $25k per person and $50k per accident for bodily injury, plus $10k for property damage. If a crash causes a death, the bodily injury limits rise to $50k per person and $100k per accident. You also need 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage. These minimums keep you legal, but they might not be enough if you cause serious damage or injury. Requirements may change — verify with the New York Department of Financial Services.
Yes. New York has a universal helmet law with no age exceptions — every rider and passenger needs a helmet that meets the federal DOT standard. The operator also needs goggles or a face shield. Novelty helmets don't count.
It depends on your bike, riding history, where you live and park, and the coverage you pick. Riders in New York City typically see higher rates than upstate riders because of traffic density and theft risk. The quickest way to know your number is a personalized quote — it takes a few minutes.
Not with a New York-registered bike, at least for now. New York's vehicle-sharing law doesn't cover motorcycles, so platforms like Twisted Road and Riders Share don't list bikes registered here. Roamly is a brokerage, not an insurer: we work with carriers and can help you understand what a policy does and doesn't cover if your situation changes. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
Roamly works with carriers who offer Agreed Value coverage options. We may help document your mods up front so your bike can be insured for an agreed amount, not a depreciated database number. If it's totaled, the agreed value is what the policy is built around. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
Liability plus uninsured motorist coverage is what New York requires — liability pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. "Full coverage" usually means adding collision and comprehensive, which help pay to repair or replace your own bike after a crash, theft, vandalism, or weather damage. If you're financing, your lender will likely require both.
New York doesn't require SR-22 filings for New York violations. If you moved here from a state that ordered one, you'll usually need to keep it active until that state's requirement ends. Roamly works with carriers that file SR-22s and can help you keep the paperwork straight. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
It can. New York allows insurers to use credit information, but with limits: an insurer can't deny you a policy based on credit alone, and it can't raise your premium at renewal because of your credit. Your riding record, bike, age, and location are also major rating factors, and how much each one counts varies by carrier.
New York treats motorcycles differently from cars here. You don't have to surrender your motorcycle plates when your liability coverage ends, but it's illegal to ride on public roads without it. Some carriers may let you switch to comprehensive-only coverage over the winter so the bike stays protected against theft or fire while it's parked — then add liability back before your first spring ride. We can help you time it. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy. See policy for details.
Still have questions?
Call us at 877.725.1245
New York Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in Minutes
New York motorcycle insurance for riders who know the roads.
* Roamly is an insurance agency, not a carrier. Coverage, limits, and availability vary by carrier and by state, and are subject to underwriting approval.
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Roamly license numbers. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, and others.
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