A Comprehensive Guide to Motorcycle Insurance in Arkansas

Whether you’re winding through the many twists and turns on Pig Trail Scenic Byway, headed up to Hot Springs National Park, or on the way to the Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Rally in Fayetteville, Arkansas is a biker’s dream.

As a hub for motorcycle culture, it’s no wonder why nearly 200,000 Arkansas residents own a bike.

Whether you’re one of those that already owns a motorcycle in “The Natural State,” or you’re considering jumping on the bandwagon, you’ve come to the right place.

Every biker needs insurance. And this article is your guide to all the ins and outs of motorcycle insurance within the state of Arkansas.

Legal Requirements to Ride a Motorcycle in Arkansas

Before we get into the insurance details, it’s a good idea to review the laws surrounding motorcycles in the state.

In order to ride a motorcycle in Arkansas, you must:

Wear a helmet if under the age of 21
Wear eye protection
Turn on your headlights (even during the daytime)
Follow passenger regulations:

1. Drivers under the age of 16 cannot have passengers
2. Passengers cannot be under 8 years of age
3. Passenger must ride in a designated passenger seat
4. Motorbike cannot carry more than two people at a time (that’s one driver and one passenger)

In order to legally drive a motorcycle in Arkansas, you must:

Meet the requirements to obtain a regular driver’s license
Apply for a Class M license
Pass an additional written and road test
Carry the legal minimum motorcycle insurance

Failure to comply with these laws will result in a significant fine, and potentially 30 days of jail time (and it will affect your insurance rates too, but more on that later).

Legal Minimum Motorcycle Insurance in Arkansas

The law requires all drivers—regardless of whether they drive cars, trucks, or bikes—to carry insurance. This is true in almost every U.S. state. This law is in place to protect you, as well as other drivers on the road. The unfortunate reality is that accidents happen, and they happen regularly. But carrying the proper insurance helps alleviate some of the burden that accidents cause. While some amount of insurance is required in most states, the minimum insurance necessary differs between the states. In Arkansas, a motorcycle driver must carry at least:

$25 thousand for bodily injury and guest passenger liability coverage
$50 thousand for total bodily injuries in the event of multiple people being hurt in the accident
$25 thousand for property damage

This amount of coverage is the absolute minimum required for motorcyclists in Arkansas, meaning that it’s possible to carry more insurance than this. And, in fact, it’s highly recommended that you do. Let’s explore your coverage options.

Arkansas Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Options

Unless you have a very restricted budget that prevents you from doing so, you should always opt for a policy that covers you in a range of circumstances. This way, all that you have to worry about is when you can go for your next joyride. We just looked at the minimum coverage amounts for bodily injury, guest passengers, and property damage. It’s a good idea to raise those coverage limits if you can, so that your insurance can cover more costly accidents. There are also different kinds of coverages you can add to your motorcycle insurance policy:

Collision: Covers damages to your bike caused by an accident.
Comprehensive: Covers damages to your bike outside of a collision such as hitting an animal or theft.
MedPay: Covers out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred to you, passengers, and pedestrians in the event of an accident, no matter who is at fault.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Also covers medical expenses but, in addition, will cover lost wages and other associated costs too. This is a good option for those who do not have much health insurance coverage.
Roadside Assistance: Covers towing costs and other small roadside service issues in case your bike breaks down.
Trip Interruption Coverage: Covers accommodations, food, and transportation if you are in a collision more than 100 miles from your home.
Custom Accessories, Parts, or Equipment: Covers repair or replacement costs to chrome or other accessories added to the bike up to a predetermined amount.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Covers damages to you and your bike in case the other driver does not carry enough insurance or any at all.

There are options when it comes to Arkansas motorcycle insurance coverage. Customizing your plan with the coverage you need helps give you peace of mind on the road. Of course, the amount of coverage you choose will depend on your budget, so let’s explore motorcycle insurance costs to give you a better idea.

Average Cost of Motorcycle Insurance in Arkansas

The price of insurance depends on a variety of factors such as policy type, vehicle make, driver records, and location. This is to say that no two policies will cost the same amount.

That said, the average cost of motorcycle insurance in Arkansas is currently $778 per year. Compare that with the average cost of motorcycle insurance in the U.S. ($721), and it’s safe to say that Arkansas has fairly affordable motorcycle insurance.

Of course, your own policy could be more or less, but you can help keep costs down in a few ways. More on that next.

Find out how much you can expect to pay for motorcycle insurance by getting access to free quotes here. It’s easy and fast—you can thank us later!

How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Insurance in Arkansas

We just laid out a lot of different options for you. And we recognize it can be a bit overwhelming to compare what you need against what you can afford in order to choose the right policy. Asking yourself the following questions will give you a better sense of what type of plan you should be looking for:

How often do I ride my motorcycle?
How far from home do I ride?
Where do I take my motorcycle?
How much is my bike worth?
Do I carry passengers often?
Do I drive on busy streets?

Answering these questions can help you round out a policy that fits the bill, in both coverage and costs. And if you’re ready to start exploring quotes, get access to free quotes here to start the process. High motorcycle insurance costs are in the rearview mirror, thanks to ConsumerCoverage. We’ve got you covered.