It's illegal in Arizona to drive a motorcycle without insurance, but that doesn't mean you should simply purchase the minimum coverage required by state law. We researched 254 quotes in Arizona and found the average rate to be $768.

The cheapest motorcycle insurance companies in Arizona

This is slightly more expensive than the national annual cost of motorcycle insurance, which is $721.

Cheapest motorcycle insurance in Arizona

Best motorcycle insurance for most people: Progressive

The best motorcycle insurance for most Arizona riders is Progressive, which offers a variety of useful endorsements and low rates. Most notably, Progressive's policies come with replacement cost coverage and $3,000 of custom parts protection, with the ability to add up to $30,000.

On average, the cost of Progressive's motorcycle insurance is $506 per year — about 34% cheaper than the average price of coverage in Arizona. The company also boasts some of the best customer service ratings in the state, getting fewer complaints than any other company from which we gathered quotes.

You may be able to reduce your premium by qualifying for any of Progressive's discounts, which are easily attainable for most motorcycle riders. For instance, you might lower your price if you request a quote at least a day in advance, possess a motorcycle license or endorsement or decide to enroll in autopay, among others.

In addition to receiving the basic coverages with Progressive's standard motorcycle insurance, you may also purchase additional forms of protection. You can also elect to add the following to your motorcycle insurance policy:

Best for daily riders: Dairyland

Riders who use their motorcycles as a primary mode of transportation have certain needs and should consider Dairyland as an option to meet them. Two of its features, rental reimbursement and roadside assistance, could be especially useful to those riding most days.

Rental reimbursement provides money to rent a vehicle for up to 30 days while your motorcycle is being repaired. Roadside assistance includes 24/7 towing, plus service for events such as battery issues, a flat tire or mechanical problems.

This combination can be crucial if you don't have another vehicle for daily use, and it can keep you on the road if something goes wrong.

You will have to pay more for these services. Basic coverage from Dairyland in Arizona costs an average of $923 per year. It wasn't the most expensive option we found, but it was $158 more than the state average.

Best for military families: USAA

Arizona ranks 17th among all states in terms of active duty military members stationed within its borders. That group could get a high level of motorcycle coverage through USAA. The company only offers policies to military members, veterans and some of their family members.

USAA's motorcycle coverage goes through Progressive, but at a 5% discount. Progressive already offers a strong set of discounts and coverage options, and already has the cheapest rates in the state.

USAA typically engages riders online or over the phone, so Arizonans will likely not be able to buy coverage through an agent.

How did we choose the best motorcycle insurance in Arizona?

We evaluated more than 250 quotes in three categories to pinpoint the best motorcycle insurance provider in Arizona. The best motorcycle insurance companies have three qualities in common:

Your motorcycle insurance should be affordable enough that you can consider purchasing extra coverage if you want it. However, even without endorsements, a policy should provide enough coverage without requiring you to purchase add-ons. Your motorcycle insurance company should also be able to meet its policyholders' needs and respond fairly to claims.

Affordability: Comparing motorcycle prices in Arizona

Cost is often the determining factor for many people who compare motorcycle insurance companies. We collected rate information by requesting quotes from addresses across Arizona to calculate the cost of coverage in the state.

The price you're quoted when comparing motorcycle insurance quotes hinges on a few things: your driving history, the type of bike you want to insure and the amount of coverage you purchase. This means that if your profile differs from the sample driver we used to gather quotes, your rates may be different.

We obtained motorcycle insurance quotes for a 45-year-old homeowner with 20 years' motorcycle experience. Our sample profile was seeking to insure a 2021 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide. We purchased more coverage than what's legally required for Arizonans, going beyond the legal requirements for liability insurance to include coverage that protects the bike itself.

Coverage options: Evaluating motorcycle insurance policies and features

Aside from offering more than enough coverage to align with Arizona's legally required minimums, all of the insurers we recommended provide varying levels of additional services that you can purchase to personalize your motorcycle insurance.

Before deciding on a motorcycle insurance provider, you should consider whether an insurer offers practical coverage while allowing you to raise or lower coverage limits and purchase useful endorsements if your needs change.

The following table details the policy features available with Progressive, Allstate, Dairyland, Geico and Nationwide's motorcycle insurance.

Customer service: Considering insurer quality in service and claims satisfaction

We compared two elements to find which motorcycle insurance company in Arizona has the best customer service: the Complaint Index maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and A.M. Best's Financial Strength Rating (FSR).

NAIC Complaint Index: The NAIC figures the number of complaints an insurer receives relative to its market share. The expected ratio is represented by 1.0, meaning if a company's complaint index is greater than 1.0, it receives more complaints than its size suggests.

A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating: A.M. Best evaluates the ability of insurance providers to fulfill their financial obligations, especially if a natural disaster or economic recession were to occur. Most companies are ranked highly by A.M. Best, but this tool may help you know which providers are more likely to present a financial risk.

Arizona motorcycle insurance: Costs by city

The quote data we collected for this survey allowed us to find the average cost of motorcycle insurance in many of Arizona's cities and regions. The following table visualizes this information, along with each city's difference from the state's average of $765.

The most expensive city for motorcycle insurance in Arizona is Glendale, where coverage costs an average of $1,035 per year. On the other hand, Fountain Hills is the cheapest city for motorcycle coverage. You could purchase motorcycle insurance in Fountain Hills for an average of $634 per year — under the national average of $721.

Arizona motorcycle insurance requirements

Arizona dictates that its motorcyclists must get the same amount of auto insurance as its conventional drivers. If you don't want to purchase insurance, you can show a bond, certificate of deposit or cash holders worth more than $40,000. For most, purchasing a motorcycle insurance policy is the easiest way to comply with your state's laws.

If you're not covered, Arizona's law enforcement office receives a notification from your insurer. After receiving this alert, you'll be asked by officials to verify your status. Without motorcycle insurance, your registration and license could be suspended. You may be required to pay a fee and carry an SR-22 form.

How do you get a motorcycle license in Arizona?

You must get a Class M motorcycle license if your bike has an engine that's larger than 100 cc. You must be at least 16 to apply for a motorcycle license or endorsement. If you're under 18, you're required to carry an instructional permit for six months before receiving normal certification.

Applicants must pass a written test and complete a closed-course skills test prior to getting licensed. If you don't pass the written portion of the exam, you may retake it up to three times in one 12-month period before having to pay another application fee. If you're under 18, you must also complete a driver education program, and a parent or guardian must certify that you've completed at least 30 hours of riding.

Methodology

For this survey, we collected 254 quotes from ZIP codes throughout Arizona. The quotes we received were for a 45-year-old male rider of a 2021 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide. Our sample rider was a married homeowner with 20 years of experience operating motorcycles. Each of these characteristics will influence your policy's price.