Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by The Insurance Pros

Michigan Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: What Riders Need to Know

Black cruiser-style motorcycle parked on a scenic Michigan road, with forest trees and a subtle Michigan road sign in the background.

Michigan motorcycle insurance works differently than auto insurance. Motorcycles are excluded from Michigan’s no-fault definition of “motor vehicle.” This means that motorcycle riders generally do not have the same Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage structure as car drivers. Even so, you still must carry motorcycle insurance to register and legally ride on Michigan roads.

Quick answer: Michigan requires motorcycle owners to carry liability insurance. You can also add important options like
medical benefits, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and collision/comprehensive depending on your risk and budget.

🏍️ Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Michigan

Michigan requires riders to carry bodily injury and property damage liability. This coverage helps pay for the injuries or damage you cause others in an at-fault crash.

  • $50,000 bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 bodily injury per accident
  • $10,000 property damage liability
Practical tip:
Minimum limits are legal, but they often aren’t enough if a serious injury claim turns into a lawsuit. Higher limits usually cost less than riders expect.

Official reference (helpful, quick read):
Michigan DIFS motorcycle insurance quick facts (PDF)

💊 Optional Medical Benefits Coverage (Very Important in Michigan)

Michigan motorcycle insurers must offer optional medical benefits. This can help cover medical costs if you’re injured and no other coverage applies.
Many riders skip this option without realizing it can be a lifesaver after a crash.

  • This option is typically offered in increments of $5,000.
  • Limits and pricing vary by carrier
  • This coverage is beneficial in situations where a crash does not involve a car or when other insurance coverage is limited.

Helmet law connection: If you ride without a helmet, Michigan law ties eligibility to having at least $20,000 of medical benefits coverage (and additional requirements may apply for passengers). If you are considering riding without a helmet, please ensure you confirm your medical benefits and eligibility beforehand.

🚘 Optional Physical Damage Coverage

If your bike is financed, leased, or simply valuable to you, physical damage coverage is often worth considering.

  • Collision: helps repair/replace your bike after an accident
  • Comprehensive: helps with theft, fire, weather, vandalism, falling objects, and animal damage

Lenders commonly require comprehensive and collision, often with deductibles of $500 or less.

🛡️ Coverage: Many Michigan Riders Add (Worth Considering)

  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): helps if you’re hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance
  • Accessory/Custom Parts Coverage: helps protect upgrades like exhaust, saddlebags, lighting, or custom paint
  • Roadside Assistance: towing and help if you break down
  • Trip interruption: useful for touring riders
  • Lay-up coverage: may reduce cost if you store the bike during off-season (ask your carrier how it works)

⚖️ When No-Fault (PIP) Can Apply to a Motorcyclist

Even though motorcycles aren’t treated the same as cars under Michigan no-fault, a motorcyclist injured in a crash involving an insured motor vehicle
may be eligible to receive PIP benefits from the motor vehicle’s insurer, up to that vehicle’s selected PIP coverage limit.

Reminder:
If a crash involves a motor vehicle and no PIP coverage is available, motorcyclists may be eligible for up to $250,000 in PIP benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

If no motor vehicle is involved (single-bike crash, for example), riders generally look to their health insurance and any optional medical benefits selected on their motorcycle policy.

🧠 Licensing and Safety: Don’t Skip the CY Endorsement

To ride legally in Michigan, you need a valid motorcycle (CY) endorsement. You can typically qualify by completing an approved rider education course
or passing a rider skills test through an approved testing provider.

Official info:
Michigan Secretary of State: Motorcycle endorsement

You can also review your Michigan safety and endorsement details here:
Michigan Motorcycle Endorsement and Safety Requirements

✅ Quick Checklist: How to Build a Strong Michigan Motorcycle Policy

  • Confirm you meet Michigan’s liability minimums
  • Decide if you want optional medical benefits (especially important for helmet considerations)
  • Add UM/UIM if you want protection from uninsured drivers
  • Add comprehensive if theft/weather is a concern
  • Add collision if your bike is financed or expensive to repair
  • Review deductibles and make sure you can afford them if you have a claim

❓ Michigan Motorcycle Insurance FAQs

Do I need motorcycle insurance to register my bike in Michigan?

Yes. You need motorcycle insurance (at least liability coverage) to legally register and operate a motorcycle in Michigan.

Why don’t motorcycles have standard no-fault PIP like cars?

Michigan treats motorcycles differently under the no-fault system. However, in certain crashes involving an insured motor vehicle,
An injured motorcyclist may still qualify for PIP benefits from the motor vehicle’s insurer.

Is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required?

It’s typically optional, but many riders choose it because it can protect you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage.

If I ride without a helmet, do I need extra coverage?

Michigan’s helmet rules are tied to eligibility requirements, including medical benefits coverage. If you’re considering riding without a helmet,
Please ensure you verify the medical benefits requirements and your eligibility before riding.

📞 Ready to Ride? Get a Local Quote

Want help comparing coverage options, medical benefits, and protection gaps? Request a customized Michigan motorcycle quote below.

🏍️ Get a Free Michigan Motorcycle Quote