Motorcycle Insurance

Wisconsin requires all motorcycle operators to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/10 — $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage — plus uninsured motorist (UM) coverage at matching limits. These are legal minimums only. A single at-fault accident involving an injury can easily exceed these limits. Brad typically recommends 100/300/100 for motorcycle riders given the elevated risk of serious injury in accidents.

Yes. Wisconsin requires a Class M motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license (or a Class M license if you don't have a car license). To obtain it, you must pass a written knowledge test and either a skills test or complete a Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program (WMSP) Basic RiderCourse — which also qualifies you to skip the skills test at the DMV. Riding without an endorsement is illegal and most insurers will deny claims if you're unlicensed at the time of an accident. Brad can help you get the right coverage as soon as you're licensed.

Minimum liability-only motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin starts at approximately $10–$20/month for a standard bike with a clean record. Full coverage (collision + comprehensive + liability) typically runs $60–$150/month depending on your motorcycle's value, engine size, your age, and riding history. Sport bikes and high-displacement cruisers cost more to insure than standard or touring bikes. Completing a safety course, bundling with auto or homeowners, and storing the bike in a locked garage all help reduce premiums. Brad shops multiple carriers for the best Wisconsin motorcycle rate.

Lane splitting is illegal in Wisconsin. Lane splitting — riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic — is prohibited under Wisconsin law. If you are involved in an accident while lane splitting, your insurer may deny your claim due to the illegal activity, and you could face significant liability exposure. Wisconsin riders should also be aware that lane filtering (moving to the front of stopped traffic at a red light) is similarly not permitted. Brad makes sure Wisconsin riders understand how their policy responds to various accident scenarios.

Yes — and Wisconsin riders commonly do this to save money during the off-season. You can request a seasonal suspension of collision and comprehensive coverage when the bike is stored and not being ridden. However, you should maintain at least comprehensive coverage year-round to protect against fire, theft, and weather damage while stored. Completely canceling your policy can create a gap that raises your rate when you reinstate. Brad can structure your policy so you save on premiums from November through April without creating a coverage gap or losing your good driver pricing.

Your bodily injury liability coverage protects other people — including your passenger — if you are at fault in an accident. However, your own medical expenses as the rider are only covered if you carry medical payments coverage (MedPay) or personal injury protection (PIP), which are available as add-ons. Wisconsin has no mandatory PIP for motorcycles. Riders who don't have strong health insurance should seriously consider MedPay coverage. Brad can add this to your policy and explain how it coordinates with your health insurance.

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your motorcycle after an accident regardless of fault — hitting another vehicle, a car door, or a guardrail. Comprehensive coverage covers non-collision losses: theft, vandalism, fire, hail, hitting a deer, flood, and storm damage. Both are optional under Wisconsin law but required if you're financing the bike. Given Wisconsin's deer population and severe hail storms, comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended even on paid-off bikes. Brad can compare the cost of coverage against your bike's value to help you decide what's right for your situation.

No — your auto insurance policy does not cover your motorcycle. Motorcycles require a separate insurance policy. Some carriers offer multi-vehicle discounts when you insure a motorcycle with the same company that covers your car. Your auto policy's liability coverage, UM/UIM, and medical payments will not extend to your motorcycle. If you're caught riding without a separate motorcycle policy in Wisconsin, you face the same penalties as driving an uninsured car — fines, license suspension, and SR-22 requirements. Brad can bundle your motorcycle with your existing policies for the best combined rate.

A bike dropped in a parking lot with no other vehicle involved is typically a collision claim — so it's covered under collision coverage if you carry it, subject to your deductible. A stationary bike that falls over from wind or an animal knocking it over may qualify under comprehensive coverage. Damage from dropping at very low speed (a "tip-over") is frequently questioned by adjusters; documentation is key. Note that frequent small collision claims can affect your renewal. Brad can help you understand when it makes sense to file a claim vs. pay out of pocket.

Stock motorcycles are covered at their stated value. Aftermarket parts, accessories, and customizations — saddlebags, custom paint, upgraded exhaust, audio systems, chrome accessories — are typically covered only up to a low sublimit ($1,000–$3,000) under a standard policy. If you've invested significantly in customizing your bike, you need a custom parts and equipment endorsement to fully insure those additions. Brad can help you schedule and document your accessories so you're not underinsured after a total loss.

Wisconsin law does not require helmets for motorcycle operators or passengers aged 18 and older. However, riders under 18 are required by law to wear a DOT-approved helmet. While helmets are optional for adults, wearing one dramatically reduces the risk of fatal and serious head injuries. Some insurers factor helmet use into claims assessments. Brad's advice: the insurance savings from skipping helmet coverage don't exist — but the financial and personal cost of a head injury without one is significant. That's your choice to make, not your insurer's.