Motorcycle Insurance In Canada

While cars require an insurance policy to legally operate on Canada’s roadways, there are plenty of other vehicle types out that also need their own coverage before they can be taken out and operated, and that includes motorcycles.

If you currently own a motorcycle or are considering purchasing one, you’ll need motorcycle insurance. The question is, where’s the best place to get it?

What Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover?

Motorcycle insurance provides coverage in the event of a motorcycle accident, loss, theft, or damage to your motorcycle. More specifically, this policy covers the following:

Third-party liability. Provides protection in the event of an accident that results in damage or loss to another individual when you are at fault.
Accident benefits. Protects you if you are injured in a motorcycle accident, no matter who was the cause.
Uninsured automobile coverage. Provides protection in the event of death or injury caused by an uninsured driver or by a hit-and-run.
Direct compensation property damage. Covers damage to your motorcycle from a collision in which you are not at fault or are only partially to blame.

Additional Coverage Options

If you wish to have additional coverage that a standard motorcycle policy does not offer, you may want to top up your policy with additional coverage, including the following:

All Perils

Covers all causes of loss with the exception of those directly excluded in your policy. All perils can also provide coverage for loss or damage if your motorcycle is stolen or damaged by an additional driver.

Collision

Covers the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle if it is damaged as a result of a collision or impact by an object on the ground other than another vehicle, such as a lamp post, street sign, or guard rail.

Comprehensive

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle if it’s damaged by other unforeseen situations, such as falling objects, fire, vandalism, theft, natural disaster, or riot.

Specified Perils

Covers specific perils that are specifically listed in your policy, such as fire, lightning, hail, earthquake, and theft.

Roadside Assistance

If you’re ever stranded on the side of the road and need help, a roadside assistance policy will cover the cost of things like a tow truck, change of tire, or gas.

Features To Look For In Your Motorcycle Insurance

When comparison shopping for a motorcycle insurance policy, look for the following features:

Helmet And Riding Gear Coverage

Covers the cost of replacing your motorcycle apparel, including safety gear like your helmet.

Personal Effects Coverage

Covers personal effects that you carry on or in your motorcycle.

Temporary Replacement Bike

Covers the cost of a rental motorcycle, which can come in handy if you depend on your bike to commute.

Keys And Locks

Provides financial compensation to re-key or re-code the locks on your bike if someone steals your keys.

New Replacement

Provides a new equivalent replacement if your motorcycle is relatively new and is written off after an insured incident.

Agreed Or Market Value

Offers agreed value as an option if the market value of your motorcycle is not a fair or accurate reflection of its actual worth.

Flexible Deductible

Allows you to customize your costs by determining your deductible size.

Additional Reading

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Factors That Affect The Cost Of Motorcycle Insurance

The cost of a motorcycle insurance policy will vary from one person to another. That said, the average cost of motorcycle insurance in Canada is approximately $700 a year. Usually, this type of insurance policy costs more during the first year and may taper off somewhat in subsequent years, depending on other factors, including the following:

Make, type, and model of your motorcycle
Number of kilometres you drive
Where the motorcycle is stored
Engine capacity of the motorcycle
Motorcycle modifications
Your experience as a motorcycle driver
Your claims history
Your driving record
Your age
Where you live
License class held (ie. M1, M2, M, in Ontario)
Level of coverage

Motorcycle Insurance FAQs

Is it worth insuring my motorcycle in the winter?

You likely will not save any money by cancelling your motorcycle insurance policy in the winter. Insurance providers know that motorcycles rise predominantly in the warmer months of the year when there is no snow or ice, and they calculate their premiums accordingly.

How much should my deductible be?

Your deductible is the amount you need to pay your insurance provider before your policy kicks in after filing a claim. The amount can vary from one policy to another. You may also have an option to choose your deductible. Generally speaking, a lower deductible means higher premiums, and a higher deductible means lower premiums. The right deductible amount depends on your particular circumstances and your policy terms. For instance, if you feel that you are a safe and responsible driver who only rides your motorcycle a handful of times per year, then it might make more sense to go with a higher deductible to keep your premiums low.

How can I get cheaper motorcycle insurance?

In order to ensure you get the lowest rate possible on your motorcycle insurance policy, consider the following tips:

Comparison shop. It will be worth your time and effort to compare different rates with different insurance providers, which you can do quickly and easily with an online aggregator.
Increase deductibles. As mentioned, increasing your deductible can reduce your premiums.
Bundle policies. If you have other insurance needs, consider bundling your policies with one insurance company.
Take a motorcycle training course. Most insurance providers offer discounted rates to those who have taken the proper training course to ensure safer driving.

Looking for more savings? Find out how to save on your car insurance.

Final Thoughts

If you want to take your motorcycle out on the road, you’ll need an insurance policy to ensure that you’re covered and following the law. But before you take out a policy, make sure you do a little comparison shopping to find the lowest rate, and consider your specific needs so that you’re adequately covered.

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Priyanka Correia

Priyanka is a personal finance expert at Loans Canada. She is passionate about money management and educating Canadian consumers about how to take control of their financial lives. She has taken financial control of her life by using Mint to budget and track her expenses while growing her wealth by investing through Wealthsimple. She also believes in having an emergency fund, so she keeps a good sum of money in an easily accessible high-interest savings account. She also uses the American Express Cobalt Card to earn points on all her purchases, further fueling her savings goal. She also uses Loans Canada’s lender directory whenever she wants to compare rates from different lenders.