There are a few instances where you may want to purchase motorcycle insurance before you have a motorcycle license. If you’re given a motorcycle as a gift, for example, you will want it covered with insurance immediately. You may also have suspended license, but need to maintain insurance on your vehicle. Even if you don’t drive the motorcycle or plan to, insurance can protect it from environmental damage, theft and vandalism. This is especially helpful for classic and antique motorcycles. Thankfully, there are ways that you can purchase motorcycle insurance without having a license.
It’s important to understand that you cannot legally ride your motorcycle without a license, whether you have insurance or not. Insurance is not a stand-in for a motorcycle license. Depending on where you live, you likely need both in order to operate your motorcycle legally.
How to Get Motorcycle Insurance Without a License
The process of getting insurance without a license is slightly more complicated than it would be with a license. You will need to contact an insurance agent at an agency that accepts clients without licenses. You may still need a state-issued form of identification in order to get insurance. It may help by naming another primary driver on the policy.
Some insurance agencies will only allow you to purchase a policy without a license due to certain contingencies. If you already insure with a company, they are more likely to insure you without a license if you have a good record and credit score. Drivers with a poor credit score or spotty driving record will have a difficult time finding insurance.
Is Motorcycle Insurance Required? 
Depending on where you live, motorcycle insurance may be required by the state. Every state has their own regulations however, so make sure to check your location’s specific requirements. Florida is the only state that does not require motorcycle insurance in order to drive legally. You will need a license, permit or endorsement, however. In Georgia, bikers must carry at least:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability
This isn’t the only insurance you will need, however. Liability insurance primarily protects other people on the road. You should also consider coverage that compensates for damages to yourself, your passengers and the motorcycle itself. A basic motorcycle insurance policy includes comprehensive, collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage along with the required liability insurance.
How Much is Motorcycle Insurance Without a License?
Motorcycle insurance premiums are influenced by a variety of factors. This includes:
In Georgia, the average cost of motorcycle insurance is around $1,150 a year (about $95.83 a month). This number may be affected if you have insurance and not a license. Remember that you cannot legally drive without a license, even if your motorcycle is insured. Depending on your reason for not having a license, the cost of your monthly premiums could rise drastically. Having your license suspended or limited due to a traffic violation or other reckless driving can make your premiums skyrocket by 80% or even higher.
You may lower your motorcycle insurance rates by practicing defensive driving, increasing your credit score, insuring a cheaper motorcycle and limiting the number of claims you file. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly premiums, but it will also mean paying more out of pocket when it comes time to file a claim. If the cost of repairs are less than that of your deductible, it may be more cost-effective to fix the repairs out of pocket than to file a claim.