When starting a motorcycle trip, especially abroad, excitement quickly takes over. Yet one thing is absolutely essential before riding your very first mile with your new travel companion: your motorcycle insurance.
It is not there to ruin the fun, but to protect you, your bike, and the smooth running of your trip overall.
In the United States, motorcycle rental insurance contracts operate under a very specific system. The wording may seem straightforward, but it is mainly the deductibles, security deposits, and included services that should guide your decision.
The purpose of this article is simple: to help you better understand these insurance options so you can choose the one that truly matches your way of traveling.
What the Basic Insurance Covers (and Especially What It Does Not Cover)
Without additional coverage, the standard contract states that:
- you are responsible for all damage caused to the motorcycle,
- you are responsible in case of theft,
- you are responsible for the motorcycle’s immobilization,
- you must leave a $5,000 security deposit,
- and you must pay the actual value of the damages.
This system is perfectly normal within the American rental industry. It is not an anomaly, but the basic framework onto which additional coverages are added.
The 3 Levels of Coverage Available
VIP ZERO Insurance (€49/day)
This is the most comprehensive coverage.
What It Includes:
Damage deductible: $0
If you drop the motorcycle while stationary, maneuvering, parking, on gravel, sand, or slopes… you pay nothing.
Theft deductible: $1,000
If the motorcycle is stolen while properly locked, your liability is limited.
Security deposit: only $100
Vacation Interruption Protection
If the motorcycle is immobilized for more than 12 hours, part of your rental cost is reimbursed up to €100/day.
Personal Belongings Coverage: $500
Your belongings stored in the saddlebags are covered.
Flat Tire Coverage
Labor and repairs are covered (up to $100 per incident).
Planet Ride Opinion
This package best reflects the reality of a motorcycle road trip in the USA with complete peace of mind. It protects you without deductibles against everyday minor damages, including flat tires, significantly reducing stress during vehicle pick-up and return.
VIP SELECT Insurance (€39/day)
What It Includes:
Damage deductible: $1,000
Theft deductible: $2,500
Security deposit: $1,000
(Do not forget to have this amount available in your bank account with a sufficient credit card limit on the day you collect your motorcycle.)
Vacation Interruption Protection
Reimbursement up to $50/day in case of immobilization.
Personal Belongings Coverage: $250
Planet Ride Opinion
This package protects you in case of damage but still leaves a significant deductible at your expense. We recommend it for riders who already have experience riding abroad or in the USA, or for those who already have travel insurance with deductible reimbursement coverage (such as the one we offer at Planet Ride with all our trips 🙂).
VIP Basic Insurance (€29/day)
What It Includes:
Damage deductible: $2,000
Theft deductible: $500
Security deposit: $2,000
No trip interruption protection.
No personal belongings coverage.
Planet Ride Opinion
This is a minimal risk reduction package. Despite the high deductible and security deposit, it still limits your risk compared to the basic insurance, which leaves you responsible for the full repair costs. Be careful to have the required $2,000 available on your account, with a credit card and spending limit that allow it on the day of vehicle pick-up. For only €10 more per day, we recommend that our clients choose at least the VIP SELECT insurance.
Recommended for Independent Riders: Road Assistance (€12/day)
This is not just roadside assistance in case of breakdown.
It is what allows your trip to continue.
It Includes:
- towing services, even over long distances, which can be extremely expensive in the USA,
- delivery of up to two gallons of fuel in case of running out,
- jump-start assistance.
Without this option, a mechanical issue can interrupt your road trip.
With it: mechanical issue = trip continues.
SLI — Supplemental Liability Insurance (€35/day)
This insurance extension increases the amount of liability coverage already included in your rental. The amount of the standard liability coverage varies from one American state to another (according to each state’s legal minimum). By purchasing SLI insurance, you extend this coverage to $300,000.
Your liability insurance legally protects you in case of damage caused to a third party (vehicle, person, property). In the United States, the amounts involved can be extremely high, making this option particularly relevant.
What Planet Ride’s Experience Shows After More Than 10 Years of Motorcycle Trips in the USA
The most common incidents during a motorcycle road trip in the USA are not traffic accidents. They are low-speed drops while stationary or maneuvering.
The motorcycle you choose for your trip is often heavier and harder to handle at low speed than the one you are used to riding.
Choosing the right insurance is therefore the best way to fully enjoy your trip without worries. Talk to your Planet Ride travel advisor, who will help you choose the insurance that best fits your needs.
This article summarizes and simplifies the details of motorcycle insurance and cannot under any circumstances be used as a description of coverage or as a contractual document. To obtain the full details of the insurance, please contact your Planet Ride advisor, who will provide you with the complete contractual documentation.