Washington Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: What Riders Must Carry
25/50/10. A motorcycle in Washington needs the same liability minimums as a car: $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 for property damage. That's the whole legal requirement. Everything that protects you after a crash on a bike is optional, and two coverages car owners take for granted don't work the same way on two wheels.
Motorcycles were exempt from Washington's mandatory insurance law until July 28, 2019. A lot of riders bought their first bike before then, and some still assume the old rule applies. It doesn't. Below is what the statutes require, where motorcycles get different treatment from cars (PIP and underinsured motorist coverage), how mopeds and small scooters fit in, what riding uninsured or unendorsed costs, and what I'd check on a motorcycle declarations page.
Source: RCW 46.29.090; OIC, Mandatory auto/motorcycle insurance law; IRLJ 6.2; DOL, Do I need a motorcycle endorsement? (accessed Nov. 6, 2026).
What the law requires a rider to carry
RCW 46.30.020 says no one may operate a motor vehicle that's subject to registration in Washington unless they're covered by a liability policy with at least the limits in RCW 46.29.090, or one of three alternatives: self-insurance, a certificate of deposit with the Department of Licensing (DOL), or a liability bond. The statute exempts a short list of vehicles in subsection (3): motor-driven cycles, mopeds, wheeled all-terrain vehicles, certain publicly owned vehicles and carriers registered with the Utilities and Transportation Commission. A full-size motorcycle is not on that list.
That's a change from the old rule. Before 2019, the insurance requirement didn't apply to motorcycles at all. House Bill 1014 closed that gap; it passed the House 70-26 and the Senate 42-1, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) puts the effective date at July 28, 2019: riders "are no longer exempt from our state's mandatory auto insurance law."
| Coverage or option | Minimum amount | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, one person | $25,000 | Injuries or death you cause to one other person in one accident |
| Bodily injury liability, per accident | $50,000 | Injuries or death you cause to two or more people in one accident |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 | Other people's property you damage in one accident |
| Alternative: certificate of deposit | $60,000 | Deposit with DOL instead of a policy |
| Alternative: self-insurance | 26+ vehicles | Fleet owners approved by DOL |
Source: RCW 46.29.090; RCW 46.30.020; DOL, Mandatory insurance; OIC (accessed Nov. 6, 2026).
Notice what's missing from that table. Liability pays other people. It doesn't pay for your bike, your medical bills or your lost wages. The OIC says it directly: property damage liability "typically won't cover damage to your car or motorcycle." A rider who carries only the legal minimum is legal and close to unprotected.
Proof works the same as it does for a car. Your insurer sends an ID card when you start or renew a motorcycle policy, the card can be on your phone (RCW 46.30.030), and you show it when an officer asks. If you were insured and just didn't have the card, the ticket is dismissed when you give the court written proof; the court may charge $25 (RCW 46.30.020(2)). The full rules for cars, which apply to bikes as well, are in Washington's car insurance requirements.
Where motorcycles differ from cars: PIP and UIM
Two Washington consumer protections are written around cars. On a motorcycle policy, one disappears and the other shrinks to a disclosure.
Personal injury protection (PIP). RCW 48.22.085 says no new or renewal "automobile liability insurance policy" may be issued unless PIP is offered. The catch is the definition. Under RCW 48.22.005, "automobile" means a passenger car, and RCW 46.04.382 defines a passenger car as every motor vehicle "except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles." So the PIP offer rule doesn't reach motorcycle policies. The OIC confirms it: "State law does not require insurance agents and brokers to offer PIP to motorcycle drivers." Its PIP page adds that car PIP doesn't cover injuries from using a motorcycle, and that you "might be able to get PIP coverage for a motorcycle, but it's usually expensive."
In practice: the PIP on your car policy most likely won't pay your medical bills after a motorcycle crash, and your motorcycle policy won't have PIP unless you specifically get it. More on what that means in the Washington PIP guide.
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). For cars, RCW 48.22.030 says every new or renewal liability policy must include UIM (which in Washington also covers drivers with no insurance at all, hit-and-runs and phantom vehicles) unless you reject it in writing. But subsection (2) carves out injuries "while operating or occupying a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle." Your car's UIM doesn't have to cover you on your bike.
For the motorcycle policy itself, subsections (9) and (10) require an insurer that writes motorcycle coverage in Washington to give prospective customers information about UIM and to give named insureds an opportunity to reject it in writing for that motorcycle. The OIC's summary: "Insurance agents and brokers must also offer this type of coverage to motorcycle drivers." It's offered; whether it ends up on your policy depends on what you signed.
| Coverage | Car policy in WA | Motorcycle policy in WA |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury and property damage liability | Required (25/50/10) | Required (25/50/10) |
| Underinsured/uninsured motorist (UIM) | Included unless you reject it in writing | Insurer must give UIM information and a chance to reject it in writing |
| Car policy's UIM while you ride | n/a | Statute lets it exclude you while on a motorcycle |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Must be offered; reject in writing | No offer required; may be available |
| Collision and comprehensive | Optional (lender may require) | Optional (lender may require) |
Source: RCW 46.30.020; RCW 48.22.030; RCW 48.22.085; RCW 48.22.005; RCW 46.04.382; OIC, Learn how auto insurance works; OIC, PIP (accessed Nov. 6, 2026).
Why this matters more for riders: the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) cites NHTSA data that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash. The other driver's $25,000 minimum can disappear fast, and UIM is the coverage that fills that gap. Rejecting it on a bike to save premium is a decision I'd want a rider to make on purpose, not by checking a box.
Mopeds, scooters and fast e-bikes
Washington sorts two-wheelers by engine output and speed, and the categories don't line up neatly with what's printed on the side of the machine. "Scooter" is not a legal category. The three that matter:
- Moped (RCW 46.04.304): no more than 50cc, no more than two brake horsepower, and not capable of more than 30 mph on level ground.
- Motor-driven cycle (RCW 46.04.332): a motorcycle, "including every motor scooter," with a motor that produces no more than five brake horsepower.
- Motorcycle (RCW 46.04.330): up to three wheels, steered with handlebars, or an enclosed three-wheeler with seat belts and a steering wheel. Anything above the motor-driven cycle line.
Mopeds and motor-driven cycles are exempt from the mandatory insurance law. Motorcycles are not. So a 300cc scooter is a motorcycle for insurance purposes, and the 25/50/10 rule applies to it. The OIC's own page shortens the exemption to "motor scooters and mopeds"; the statute is narrower, because only scooters at or under five brake horsepower qualify.
Exempt doesn't mean safe from a lawsuit. The OIC adds that even where insurance isn't mandatory, "you may still be held responsible for any damages or injuries that result from your negligent use of these vehicles."
Fast electric bikes are the newest gray zone. Under RCW 46.04.169, an e-bike can't have a motor over 750 watts and can't be capable of exceeding 20 mph on the motor alone. In 2026 the legislature added a note (Laws of 2026, ch. 159) recognizing "the recent proliferation of electric motorcycle use statewide, especially among teenagers and young adults," and stating that the current definitions of "motorcycle" and "moped" apply to many of the vehicles that fall outside the e-bike definition. If a family member's "e-bike" runs well past 20 mph on throttle alone, ask whether it is legally a moped or a motorcycle before assuming no endorsement or insurance applies.
| Vehicle (WA legal category) | Liability insurance required? | Endorsement required? | Helmet required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle, 2-wheel (over 5 brake hp) | Yes | Yes, 2-wheel | Yes |
| Trike, sidecar rig or bike with stabilizing kit | Yes | Yes, 3-wheel | Yes |
| Enclosed 3-wheeler with steering wheel and belts | Yes | No | No, if it meets the enclosure standard |
| Motor-driven cycle (5 brake hp or less, incl. small scooters) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Moped (50cc or less, 30 mph max) | No | No (valid license, age 16+) | Yes |
| E-assisted bicycle, Class 1-3 | No | No license required | Bicycle helmet laws apply |
Source: RCW 46.30.020; RCW 46.20.500; RCW 46.37.530; RCW 46.04.304; RCW 46.04.330; RCW 46.04.332; DOL, Do I need a motorcycle endorsement? (accessed Nov. 6, 2026).
One footnote on mopeds: they're exempt from insurance but not from registration. RCW 46.16A.405 treats mopeds as vehicles for registration and plate display.
Endorsement vs. insurance: two separate requirements
The endorsement is DOL saying you're licensed to ride. Insurance is the financial responsibility the law requires for the machine. On a motorcycle you need both.
RCW 46.20.500 says no one may drive a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle without a license specially endorsed for it. Riding without one is a traffic infraction carrying the base penalty plus an additional $250 that goes to the motorcycle safety education account. The court rule IRLJ 6.2 sets the base for motorcycle-specific infractions, including no endorsement, at $48 before statutory assessments. DOL's endorsement page sums up the result: you may be "Fined $386," and your motorcycle, scooter or trike may be impounded. The impound authority is RCW 46.55.113(2)(h).
A few DOL rules that trip people up:
- Permit riders may not carry passengers and may not ride during the hours of darkness (DOL).
- Riders under 18 must pass an approved two-wheel safety course to get the endorsement, plus a parent or guardian consent form.
- A permit is valid for 180 days, and DOL allows one initial permit and one renewal within five years.
The endorsement can matter for insurance too, because each policy has its own wording about who may operate the bike. Read the operator and exclusions sections, and ask before you let anyone without an endorsement ride it.
The WTSC numbers show this isn't a paperwork issue. Among Washington residents killed on motorcycles in 2024, 71% had no training on record and 54% lacked a motorcycle endorsement.
What riding uninsured costs
The ticket is identical to the car version. Failing to provide proof of insurance is a traffic infraction under RCW 46.30.020(1)(d), with a $250 base penalty in IRLJ 6.2 before statutory assessments. DOL's page puts the realistic figure at "$550 or more." If you can't show proof, the law presumes you're uninsured. Knowingly showing an expired or canceled card is a misdemeanor (RCW 46.30.040).
The ticket is the small part. If you're uninsured and in a crash that injures someone or causes at least $1,000 in property damage to one person, DOL's financial responsibility process can suspend your license for three years unless you settle, get a release, deposit security, or show you weren't liable. The injured person can also sue you directly, and an unpaid judgment can bring a 10-year suspension. Those steps are laid out in detail in driving without insurance in Washington; nothing in them changes because the vehicle has two wheels.
| Situation | What it is | Amount or consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Insured, but no proof at the stop | Infraction, dismissed with written proof | Court may charge $25 |
| Riding a motorcycle with no insurance | Traffic infraction | $250 base (IRLJ 6.2); DOL says $550 or more |
| Riding without a motorcycle endorsement | Traffic infraction | $48 base + $250 by statute; DOL says $386; possible impound |
| Showing an expired or canceled card | Misdemeanor (RCW 46.30.040) | Criminal charge |
| Uninsured crash with injury or $1,000+ damage | DOL financial responsibility action | Suspension up to 3 years unless resolved |
Source: RCW 46.30.020; RCW 46.30.040; RCW 46.20.500; RCW 46.55.113; IRLJ 6.2; DOL, Mandatory insurance; DOL, endorsement page; DOL, Financial Responsibility Law; DOL, Unsatisfied civil court judgments (accessed Nov. 6, 2026).
If you're hurt on your bike: whose coverage pays
Here's how the pieces line up after a crash, using a labeled hypothetical. Say a driver runs a left turn in Spokane and hits you. You have $40,000 in medical bills and lost wages, and your bike is a total loss.
- The other driver's liability pays first if they're at fault. If they carry the $25,000 minimum, that's the cap for your injuries from their policy.
- Your motorcycle UIM, if you didn't reject it, can pay the gap between what you're legally entitled to recover and the other driver's limits. With no UIM, the remaining $15,000 is a claim against the driver personally.
- Your car policy's PIP most likely won't apply, because car PIP doesn't cover injuries from using a motorcycle.
- Your bike gets paid by the other driver's property damage liability (up to $10,000 at the minimum), by your own collision coverage, or by UIM property damage, depending on what you carry and who's at fault.
Flip it: if you cause the crash, your liability pays the other people, up to your limits, and nothing pays for your own injuries unless you bought coverage for them. Washington uses comparative fault: under RCW 4.22.005, your share of the fault reduces what you recover but doesn't bar it. More in the comparative fault explainer.
What about a passenger? A passenger who's hurt when you're at fault is "another person" to your bodily injury liability, which is one reason 25/50/10 is thin for anyone who rides two-up. If another driver with minimum limits hurts both you and your passenger, each of you is capped at $25,000 from that policy, and $50,000 combined. Policies differ in how they treat passengers under the rider's own medical or UIM coverage, so read that wording rather than assuming. Also: Washington bans carrying a child under five on a motorcycle (RCW 46.37.530(1)(d)), and the bike must be designed for a passenger, with foot pegs for each person it's built to carry (RCW 46.61.610).
If a phantom vehicle (one that never touches you or your bike) forces you down, report it to police within 72 hours, and expect to need evidence other than your own testimony to back up the facts. Both are conditions for a phantom-vehicle UIM claim under RCW 48.22.030(8). See the Washington UIM guide for how limits and deductibles work.
Source: WTSC, State of the State (Oct. 2025) for 2022; WTSC motorcyclist fatality release (Apr. 21, 2026) for 2023; WTSC 2025 preliminary data release (May 19, 2026) for 2024-2025
Show the numbers
| Motorcyclist deaths | |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 133 |
| 2023 | 142 |
| 2024 | 113 |
| 2025 (preliminary) | 103 |
Deaths fell from a high of 142 in 2023 to a preliminary 103 in 2025. WTSC's April release said 2025 remained well above every year from 2015 through 2021. From 2021 to 2025, motorcycles were about 3% of crashes and 16% of traffic deaths. WTSC names impairment and speeding as the two most common behavioral risk factors in fatal motorcycle crashes.
What to check on your declarations page
Pull up your motorcycle declarations page, not the car one, and go line by line. Here's what I look for:
| Line on the dec page | What to look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury / property damage liability | Limits above 25/50/10 if you have assets or carry passengers | The minimum is a floor, and it hasn't changed since 1980 |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | Is it listed? Same limits as liability? | Your car's UIM can exclude you on the bike |
| Personal injury protection or medical payments | Is any medical coverage listed? | No PIP offer is required on motorcycles |
| Collision and comprehensive | Deductibles; required if you finance | Liability never pays for your own bike |
| Custom parts and accessories | Is aftermarket equipment covered, and to what limit? | Policies differ; ask before you add parts |
| Listed operators | Every regular rider, with an endorsement | Operator wording varies by policy |
Source: RCW 46.29.090; RCW 48.22.030; OIC, Learn how auto insurance works; OIC, PIP (accessed Nov. 6, 2026).
A few notes on that list.
Financing. The OIC says most lenders require comprehensive and collision, and if you drop it the lender can buy coverage to protect itself and bill you. Washington's GAP waiver law counts motorcycles as motor vehicles (RCW 48.160.010), so the gap insurance rules apply to a financed bike too.
Seasonal riders. If your bike sits from November to March, ask before you cancel the policy. The legal requirement only applies while you ride, but comprehensive is the coverage that pays if the parked bike is stolen, vandalized or damaged in a garage fire. Ask your agent what the policy allows for a bike that's parked for the season.
Higher limits. The OIC describes an umbrella policy as a separate layer that applies after your auto liability is used up. If you have a house or savings to protect, it's worth pricing alongside higher motorcycle limits.
Questions about the coverage itself: see the Washington auto insurance page or the Washington insurance FAQ, or call the OIC Consumer Advocacy line at 800-562-6900 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).
FAQ
Is motorcycle insurance required in Washington state?
Yes. Since July 28, 2019, motorcycles must carry at least $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 in liability coverage or an approved alternative under RCW 46.30.020. Mopeds and motor-driven cycles of five brake horsepower or less are exempt.
Do I need PIP on a motorcycle in Washington?
No. Washington's PIP offer rule applies to passenger cars, and the definition excludes motorcycles. The OIC says state law does not require agents and brokers to offer PIP to motorcycle drivers.
Does my car insurance cover me on my motorcycle in Washington?
Generally not for your own injuries. RCW 48.22.030 lets a car policy's underinsured motorist coverage exclude you while operating a motorcycle, and the OIC says car PIP doesn't cover injuries from using a motorcycle.
Do you need insurance for a moped or scooter in Washington?
Not for a moped (50cc or less, 30 mph max) or a motor-driven cycle of five brake horsepower or less. A larger scooter is legally a motorcycle and needs liability insurance.
What is the fine for riding a motorcycle without an endorsement in Washington?
DOL says you may be fined $386 and the motorcycle, scooter or trike may be impounded.
Your own policy wording and Washington law control. Confirm your situation with a licensed agent, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, or, for legal questions such as a claim dispute or a lawsuit after a crash, an attorney.
Sources
- RCW 46.30.020: Liability insurance or other financial responsibility required, exceptions
- RCW 46.30.030: Insurance identification card
- RCW 46.30.040: Providing false evidence of financial responsibility
- RCW 46.29.090: Minimum liability limits
- RCW 48.22.005: Definitions (automobile, PIP)
- RCW 48.22.085: Optional PIP coverage, rejection
- RCW 48.22.095: Minimum PIP coverage
- RCW 48.22.030: Underinsured, hit-and-run, phantom vehicle coverage; motorcycle coverage information
- RCW 46.04.382: Passenger car
- RCW 46.04.330: Motorcycle
- RCW 46.04.332: Motor-driven cycle
- RCW 46.04.304: Moped
- RCW 46.04.169: Electric-assisted bicycle (incl. 2026 c 159 note)
- RCW 46.16A.405: Mopeds, registration
- RCW 46.20.500: Motorcycle endorsement, penalties, exceptions
- RCW 46.55.113: Removal by police officer
- RCW 46.37.530: Motorcycle helmets and equipment, children
- RCW 46.61.610: Riding on motorcycles (passengers)
- RCW 48.160.010: GAP waiver definitions
- Washington Courts: IRLJ 6.2 Monetary penalty schedule for infractions (PDF)
- Washington House: Bill Report, HB 1014 (2019), financial responsibility of motorcycle operators (PDF)
- Washington DOL: Mandatory insurance
- Washington DOL: Do I need a motorcycle endorsement?
- Washington DOL: Get a 2-wheel motorcycle permit or endorsement
- Washington OIC: Washington state's mandatory auto/motorcycle insurance law
- Washington OIC: Learn how auto insurance works
- Washington OIC: Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Washington Traffic Safety Commission: 2025 sees another drop in motorcyclist fatalities (Apr. 21, 2026)
- Washington Traffic Safety Commission: Washington sees second year of decline in traffic deaths, 2025 preliminary data (May 19, 2026)
- Washington Traffic Safety Commission: State of the State, October 2025 (PDF)
- Washington DOL: Failure to pay accident damages, Financial Responsibility Law
- Washington DOL: Failure to pay accident damages, unsatisfied civil court judgments
- RCW 4.22.005: Effect of contributory fault
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or insurance advice. Coverage depends on the actual policy, its terms, conditions and exclusions, and state law. Maru Insurance · WA License (WAOIC) #1365574 · FL License #G363233 · NPN 22261820.