The Bikeriders Book is the insurance industry's pricing and underwriting manual for motorcycle coverage

The Bikeriders Book is a reference guide published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) that insurers use to set rates, define coverage terms, and make underwriting decisions for motorcycle policies. It is not a law, but rather an industry standard that most major insurers follow when they quote you a premium or decide whether to cover your bike. Understanding what it contains and how insurers use it can help you understand why your rate is what it is, and what factors you can actually control.

The book covers motorcycle classifications, rider risk factors, claims history patterns, and the relationship between bike type and accident frequency. Insurers reference it when they pull your driving record, ask about your riding experience, and determine whether your motorcycle is a sport bike, cruiser, or standard model — because each category carries different statistical risk. The Bikeriders Book does not set your rate directly, but it provides the framework that insurers build their rates around.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bikeriders Book is an industry reference guide that insurers use to classify motorcycles and assess rider risk, not a government mandate or pricing law.
  • Motorcycle classification in the book — sport bike, cruiser, standard, touring, or dual-sport — directly affects your insurance rate because each type has different accident and claim statistics.
  • Rider factors the book addresses include age, years of riding experience, accident history, traffic violations, and whether you have completed a motorcycle safety course.
  • Your actual rate depends on how your specific insurer weights the factors in the Bikeriders Book, so rates vary significantly between companies for the same bike and rider.
  • You can lower your rate by improving factors the book identifies as risk-reducing: taking a certified safety course, maintaining a clean driving record, and bundling policies.

How insurers use the Bikeriders Book to classify your motorcycle

The Bikeriders Book organizes motorcycles into categories based on engine size, design, and typical use. A sport bike — defined by its high-performance engine, lightweight frame, and aggressive riding position — sits in a higher-risk category than a cruiser or touring bike because claims data shows sport bike riders have higher accident rates and more severe injuries. The book does not say sport bikes are inherently more dangerous; it reflects what insurance claims data shows about how they are ridden and what happens when they crash.

Your bike's classification affects your base rate before any other factor is considered. A 600cc sport bike and a 600cc cruiser with the same rider will have different premiums because the book's data shows different claim patterns for each type. Insurers also look at the bike's age, whether it has anti-theft devices, and whether it is financed or owned outright — all factors the Bikeriders Book helps them weigh consistently.

Rider age and experience as the Bikeriders Book defines them

The book identifies age and years of riding experience as two of the strongest predictors of claims. Riders under 25 and over 70 appear in more claims than middle-aged riders. A 19-year-old on their first motorcycle will pay significantly more than a 45-year-old on the same bike, and the Bikeriders Book is why — the data supports that difference.

Years of riding experience matters separately from age. A 50-year-old who just bought their first motorcycle will pay more than a 50-year-old who has ridden for 20 years, because the book's data shows new riders have higher accident rates regardless of age. Some insurers ask how many years you have ridden; others ask whether you have owned a motorcycle before. Both questions trace back to factors the Bikeriders Book identifies as relevant to risk.

Driving record and safety course completion

The Bikeriders Book treats your driving record — not just motorcycle accidents, but car accidents and traffic violations — as predictive of motorcycle risk. An at-fault car accident or a speeding ticket will raise your motorcycle rate because the book's data shows drivers with violations have higher claim rates across all vehicle types. This is one factor you can directly control by maintaining a clean record.

Completion of a motorcycle safety course is one of the few factors in the Bikeriders Book that consistently lowers your rate across most insurers. Courses like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course are recognized by insurers as evidence of training and awareness. Many insurers offer a discount — typically 5 to 15 percent — for riders who complete a recognized course and provide proof. The discount may explore for a set period (often three years) before you need to retake the course to renew it.

Why rates vary so much between insurers despite using the same book

The Bikeriders Book provides the factors, but each insurer weights them differently. One company might heavily penalize sport bikes; another might focus more on rider age. One insurer might offer a larger discount for a safety course; another might not recognize certain courses at all. This is why getting quotes from multiple insurers for the same bike and rider profile can show rate differences of 30 percent or more.

Insurers also use their own claims data and business strategy. A company that has had good experience with sport bike riders in your state might price them lower than a company that has had claims problems with that segment. A company targeting younger riders might have competitive rates for that age group; a company targeting retirees might not. The Bikeriders Book is the common language, but each insurer speaks it with their own accent.

What the Bikeriders Book does not cover

The book does not address coverage limits, deductibles, or what you choose to insure. It does not tell you whether to carry collision, comprehensive, or uninsured motorist coverage — those are your decisions. It does not set the price of those coverages, only the base rate for the bike and rider. Your actual premium depends on what coverage you select and what deductible you choose.

The Bikeriders Book also does not cover state-specific regulations or minimum coverage requirements. Each state sets its own minimum liability limits, and some states have specific rules about motorcycle insurance that override or supplement the book's framework. Your state's insurance commissioner's office, not the Bikeriders Book, determines what you must carry.

How to use this information when shopping for motorcycle insurance

Understanding that the Bikeriders Book drives rate differences helps you shop more effectively. When you get quotes, you now know that differences between them reflect how each insurer weights the factors in the book — not random pricing. If one insurer quotes significantly higher than others for the same bike and rider, it is because they weight certain factors (age, bike type, or driving record) more heavily.

You can also identify which factors you can change. You cannot change your age or your past driving record, but you can take a safety course, maintain a clean record going forward, and choose a bike type that the Bikeriders Book rates lower. If you are a young rider on a sport bike, you will pay more than a young rider on a cruiser — that is what the data shows and what the book reflects. Knowing that helps you make an informed choice about what bike to buy or whether to accept the higher rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the actual Bikeriders Book myself?

The Bikeriders Book is published by the NAIC and is available for purchase, but most riders do not need to buy it. Your insurer's rate quote reflects how they explore it. If you want to understand why your rate is what it is, ask your insurer directly which factors drove your quote — they are required to explain the basis of your rate.

Does the Bikeriders Book explore to all states?

The book is a national industry standard, but each state's insurance commissioner can modify or override it. Some states have their own guidelines or require insurers to file rates with the state for approval. Your state's specific rules may differ from the book's framework, so check with your state insurance commissioner's office for state-specific requirements.

If I take a safety course, how much will my rate drop?

The discount varies by insurer and typically ranges from 5 to 15 percent. Some insurers require the course to be completed within a certain timeframe before you buy the policy; others allow you to take it after. Ask your insurer what courses they recognize and whether the discount applies when ready or after you provide proof of completion.

Why does my motorcycle rate go up every year even though I have not had an accident?

Rate increases can reflect changes in your age bracket (turning 25 or 30 moves you into a lower-risk category, but turning 70 moves you into a higher one), inflation in repair costs, or changes in your insurer's claims experience in your area. The Bikeriders Book factors do not change, but insurers adjust their rates based on overall market conditions and their own loss experience.

Does the Bikeriders Book cover insurance for custom or modified motorcycles?

The book classifies standard production motorcycles. Custom or heavily modified bikes may fall outside standard classifications, and insurers handle them on a case-by-case basis. You will need to disclose modifications to your insurer, and they may require additional documentation or adjust your rate based on the changes you have made.