Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?

No, motorcycle insurance is not a legal requirement in Florida. You can register your motorcycle under your ownership and ride it legally without being insured. But if you get into an at-fault motorcycle accident then you must cover the other driver, and any third parties for bodily injuries, vehicle and property damage. 

If you’re not willing to acquire motorcycle insurance, then you practically have two options; either to pay out of pocket for any at-fault motorcycle accident or obtain proof of financial responsibility by getting self-issued motorcycle insurance or surety bond.

Even though motorcycle insurance isn’t mandated in Florida, it is essential to secure some form of financial protection to avoid potentially significant expenses and legal consequences.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Florida? 

Motorcycle insurance isn’t directly mandated by the law in Florida, but you’re still required to provide proof of financial responsibility if you're at-fault in an accident. 

So, either way, you’re figuratively back to square one. Yes, you have the flexibility of not purchasing motorcycle insurance, but you’re still required to have some form of financial protection.  

While you have the flexibility to save on annual premiums, if you’re involved in an accident it can lead to serious financial burdens, especially for inadequate coverage, and the immediate pressure from out-of-pocket expenses. 

The risks don’t end there. If you’re sued after an accident, you could face additional costs for legal proceedings, potential penalties, and even license suspension. In severe cases, failing to meet financial responsibilities might lead to further legal consequences.

Looking for an afforable insurance agency offering cheap motorcycle insurance rate in Florida? Consider checking our motorcycle insurance solutions that offer the best coverage at the most affordable rates.  

What Should I Do if I Don’t Have Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?

While you have the flexibility of not purchasing motorcycle insurance in Florida, you’re still required to provide financial compensation to others if you’re involved in an at-fault accident.  

So, that’s why it is essential for you to ensure you have proof of financial responsibility by obtaining any of the 3 financial protection alternatives as follows.  

Obtain a Financial Responsibility Certificate

You need to apply for a financial responsibility certificate at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) by submitting your financial affidavit. The financial affidavit will be reviewed.

If you have a net asset of $40,000 or more your application will get approved, and you will get the Financial Responsibility Certificate which proves that you meet the financial requirements to cover accidental liability costs after a motorcycle accident.  

Get a Self-Issued Motorcycle Insurance 

Another alternative is to get self-issued motorcycle insurance. There are two ways to get a self-issued motorcycle insurance which includes cash deposit or acquiring a surety bond.  

• Cash Deposit: You need to deposit $40,000, or above in your bank account, and put the account information on the file with the DMV. After an at-fault motorcycle accident, the DMV will automatically draw the amount required for the compensation to cover your liability costs.
• Surety Bond: Alternatively, you can purchase a surety bond, the surety bond will immediately cover any bodily injury or property damage to others for an accident that you have caused up to the bond limit. So, once the expenses are covered by the surety bond, you will have to pay it back. In Florida, you need to purchase a surety bond of at least $40,000 or above.

Purchase Liability-Only Insurance 

Although motorcycle insurance isn’t mandatory in Florida, you still need to have a financial guarantee to cover accidental liability damages. So, ultimately you do need some sort of investment or risk out of pocket expenses.  

If you want to save up on your budget, or if you’re unable to afford a standard motorcycle insurance policy, you can consider purchasing liability-only motorcycle insurance as follows.  

• $10,000 for bodily injury per person
• $20,000 for bodily per accident
• $10,000 for property damage

In Florida, the average cost of motorcycle insurance ranges from $28 to $156 per month, which is $336 or $1,872 a year.  

How Florida’s Helmet Law Affects Motorcycle Insurance? 

If you’re over 21, and if you have motorcycle insurance that covers your medical expenses with a coverage limit of at least $10,000 then you can ride even without wearing a helmet.  

However, if do you wear a helmet, then having medical insurance coverage is not mandatory in Florida.

Is it Better to Stay Insured in Florida?

It’s quite surprising that even though Florida has the highest number of motorcycle accidents in the US, it’s still not mandatory. In the year 2022, Florida had the highest number of motorcycle accident deaths with a total of 668 fatalities. In the same year, there were 9,270 motorcycle crashes and 5,929 injuries of motorcycle riders and passengers.

In 2021, there were 8,649 motorcycle accidents which resulted in 621 deaths. Based on the comparison of the recent two years, the number of motorcycle accidents in Florida is alarmingly high.

So, there’s always a high chance that you might get involved in a motorcycle accident, and without insurance it can be financially difficult for you to cover any compensation or expense that comes after an accident.

Even if you choose not to get motorcycle insurance in Florida, you still require proof of financial responsibility, or you have to bear out of pocket expenses. Either of these options can be more expensive, less secure, and it can lead to heavy financial burdens depending on the severity of the accident.

Just like Florida, it is also necessary to have motorcycle insurance in other states. Here’s a detailed discussion on whether you need motorcycle insurance in Texas.  

The Bottomline 

The good news is unlike other states in the US, you don’t legally require motorcycle insurance in Florida, but as an alternative you do need either proof of financial responsibility, or you need to risk substantial out of pocket expenses.

Regardless of what the other options offer, it should only be used if you’re unable to afford motorcycle insurance, or if you can’t get one due to license suspension or any legal complication.

The advantage of owning a motorcycle and riding it in Florida is, you’ve the flexibility to decide when to get motorcycle insurance. But if you’re not facing any financial constraint or legal binding then it is highly recommended that you get motorcycle insurance with adequate coverage within your budget. 

If you need help, or advice, you can reach out to one of our local agents in Florida, or you can contact us with your query.  

FAQ 

Can you ride a motorcycle in Florida without insurance? 

In Florida, you don’t need motorcycle insurance to own or ride a motorcycle, so yes you can ride a motorcycle in Florida without insurance. However, you will be held financially responsible for body injuries or property damage if you’re found guilty in the accident. 

What is required to ride a motorcycle in Florida? 

You either require a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license, or a motorcycle license to ride a motorcycle in Florida.  

What states do not require motorcycle insurance? 

Florida, Washington, New Hampshire, Washington and Montana are the only states in the US where motorcycle insurance isn’t mandatory.