Motorcycle Endorsement vs. Motorcycle Policy

What's the difference, and which one should you choose?

Posted March 3, 2008, at 7 a.m.

Deciding to add a motorcycle to your vehicle collection is a somewhat simple choice, but actually insuring your bike might take a bit more research. Some companies offer motorcycle endorsements while others offer full-fledged motorcycle policies. What's the difference between a motorcycle endorsement and a motorcycle policy, and, more importantly, which one should you choose?

Types of motorcycle insurance available differ among insurance companies. Before your purchase insurance for your motorcycle, check with your current company to see if it offers separate policies or if it simply adds an endorsement to your auto policy.

Though the differences between policies and endorsements aren't too significant, they can affect whether you choose one over the other. Here's a quick rundown of each.

Motorcycle Insurance Endorsements

If your insurance company insures your motorcycle with an endorsement to your auto policy, that means that a document (or "rider") is attached to your auto policy. This endorsement states how the policy will cover your motorcycle, but it's based on the situations, coverages and definitions outlined in your auto policy.

In some states, you may have the option to choose whether you want a motorcycle endorsement or policy; however, most states only offer motorcycle policies.

Keep in mind that a motorcycle insurance endorsement may not offer the flexibility that a motorcycle policy can offer. For instance, with an endorsement, your motorcycle liability limits will be the same as your auto liability limits. If you have $250,000/$500,000/$100,000 limits for your auto, you'll have the same limits for your motorcycle.

One advantage of a motorcycle endorsement is the single bill you'll receive from your insurance company since it's attached to your auto policy.

Make sure you discuss what a motorcycle endorsement covers — and how it's covered — before you purchase your motorcycle insurance. Also find out whether you can choose different types and levels of coverage with an endorsement. Some endorsements may not allow you to customize your insurance amounts because they only offer the same amount of protection across the board.

Motorcycle Insurance Policies

If your insurance company offers motorcycle policies, that means your motorcycle will have its own policy while your auto will have a separate policy. For most states, Progressive offers motorcycle insurance policies rather than endorsements in order to provide broader coverage for your bike.

Motorcycle policies are created specifically for motorcycles, so they most likely offer more coverage choices. With a motorcycle policy, you can choose your liability limits, which don't have to be the same as your auto liability limits.

With a separate motorcycle policy, you may be eligible for multipolicy discounts if you insure both your bike and your auto with the same company.

Research Before You Choose

Both motorcycle endorsements and motorcycle policies offer protection for riders and their bikes. Before you purchase motorcycle insurance, consider if you're looking for basic protection or broader protection when you ride on the streets. Make sure you discuss your needs and concerns with your insurance company, too. Finally, remember that you don't necessarily have to purchase motorcycle insurance from the same company that provides your auto insurance. You may receive discounts for doing so, but it's not a requirement.

More than a million riders choose Progressive for their motorcycle insurance, making us the country's No. 1 motorcycle insurance group. At this time, we offer motorcycle insurance online, by phone and through local independent agents in all states and areas except Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Contact us 24/7 for a Progressive Motorcycle insurance quote online or by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737).

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