Vehicle & Recreational Insurance Research Lead
Dana covers insurance requirements for motorcycles, boats, RVs, ATVs, and other recreational and specialty vehicles, working state by state through DMV codes, watercraft titling agencies, and state insurance department filings to keep coverage minimums current.
Motorcycle, boat, RV, ATV, and other vehicle-type insurance requirements by stateThis byline is a named research persona representing Coverage Criteria’s editorial process for this coverage area — not an individually licensed insurance agent, broker, or credentialed reviewer. Every fact published under it is sourced from official state and federal publications. See our Editorial Standards.
Antique and classic cars still must carry standard state-minimum liability insurance — the difference is agreed-value coverage and usage limits, not an exemption from the law.
Most states impose no blanket insurance mandate for off-highway-only dirt bikes, but Idaho and New Jersey do, and any street-legal dual-sport bike is insured exactly like a motorcycle.
Pennsylvania exempts farm vehicles from its insurance law entirely; North Dakota requires coverage the moment an implement of husbandry hits a public road. The orange SMV emblem is not proof of either.
New Jersey requires $1.5 million liability coverage for trucks over 26,001 pounds — double the federal minimum, the highest state floor nationwide.
Only 5 states require snowmobile liability insurance — New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, North Dakota, and South Dakota — and Pennsylvania mandates a policy without setting any minimum dollar amount. See the state-by-state minimums and who's exempt.
New Mexico has no state boat insurance mandate, but marinas at Elephant Butte Lake and Navajo Lake require $300,000-$500,000 liability. Nearly all of the state's boating water is a federal reservoir, not a natural lake.
Idaho has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE and Reclamation marinas on Lake Pend Oreille, Dworshak, and Lucky Peak require $300,000-$500,000 liability. BUI is set at 0.08% BAC under Idaho Code 67-7034.
Delaware has no state boat insurance mandate, but Indian River Marina and other state-run facilities require $300,000-$500,000 liability. Neighboring New Jersey mandates liability insurance by statute for powerboats and PWCs.
Class 1-3 e-bikes (up to 28 mph, 750W) are not required to be insured in any state that has adopted the three-class framework — but e-bikes exceeding those thresholds are classified as mopeds and require liability insurance.
Kansas has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE marina facilities on Milford Lake, Tuttle Creek, and Perry Lake require $300,000–$500,000 liability. K.S.A. 32-1126 sets the 0.08 BAC threshold for BUI statewide.
Oklahoma has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE marina facilities across Oklahoma's 24 Corps reservoirs — including Lake Eufaula (102,500 acres) and Lake Texoma (89,000 acres) — require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Oklahoma has more USACE reservoirs than any other state.
Wyoming has no state boat insurance mandate, but NPS marina facilities at Jackson Lake and USACE marinas at Glendo and Boysen reservoirs require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Wyoming's high-altitude lakes stay below 60°F well into summer — cold shock risk is elevated throughout the season.
Nebraska has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE marina facilities at Lewis and Clark Lake and lenders on Lake McConaughy require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-1254.05 sets the 0.08 BAC threshold for BWI statewide.
Arkansas has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE marina facilities on Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, and Beaver Lake require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Ark. Code Ann. § 27-101-211 sets the 0.08 BAC threshold for BUI statewide.
Vermont has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements on Lake Champlain and Vermont's inland lakes require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Boats transiting north into Quebec must comply with Canadian customs reporting — and standard US policies do not automatically cover Canadian waters.
South Dakota has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE marina facilities on all four Missouri River reservoirs require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Lake Oahe's 231-mile fetch can generate 5–7 foot waves in sustained northwest winds.
Montana has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements at Flathead Lake and Fort Peck Reservoir require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Flathead Lake's southern half lies within the Flathead Indian Reservation — tribal permits required for fishing and anchoring.
Iowa has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements at the Iowa Great Lakes, USACE reservoir facilities, and Mississippi River marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability. West Okoboji's summer traffic density and river navigation rules define the coverage landscape.
Mississippi has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements at Ross Barnett Reservoir, Gulf Coast facilities, and Mississippi River marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Named-storm deductibles and river barge traffic define the coverage landscape.
New Hampshire requires neither auto insurance nor boat insurance — the only state in the US with no compulsory mandate for either. Marina slip agreements on Lake Winnipesaukee and throughout the lake region require $300,000–$500,000 liability.
North Dakota has no state boat insurance mandate, but USACE marina facilities on Lake Sakakawea and managed facilities on Devils Lake require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Zebra mussel decontamination is mandatory when leaving Sakakawea.
Hawaii has no state boat insurance mandate, but DOBOR harbor agreements at all 22 state small boat harbors require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Inter-island channels like the Kaiwi and Alenuihaha present ocean hazards unlike any mainland US state.
West Virginia has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina agreements at Summersville Lake and Ohio River facilities require $300,000–$500,000 liability, and commercial barge traffic on the Ohio creates significant collision exposure.
Utah has no state boat insurance mandate, but NPS and BOR marina concessions at Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Utah also has the most restrictive BUI limit in the country at .05% BAC.
Rhode Island has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements throughout Narragansett Bay, Newport Harbor, and Block Island require $300,000–$500,000 liability.
Connecticut has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements throughout Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River require $300,000–$500,000 liability from slip holders.
Massachusetts has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina agreements in Boston Harbor, Cape Cod Bay, and Nantucket Sound require $300,000–$500,000 liability from slip holders.
Oregon has no state boat insurance mandate, but Columbia River and Willamette River marina agreements require $300,000–$500,000 liability, and the Columbia Bar is among the most dangerous crossings in North America.
New Jersey has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements on Barnegat Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, and the Delaware River require $300,000–$500,000 liability.
Nevada has no state boat insurance mandate, but NPS concessionaire marinas at Lake Mead and Lake Mojave require $300,000–$500,000 liability from slip holders.
Maine has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina agreements on Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay require $300,000–$500,000 liability for slip holders.
Alaska has no state boat insurance mandate, but marinas at Homer, Seward, and Valdez require $300,000–$500,000 liability for slip holders.
Colorado has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina agreements and Bureau of Reclamation permits at Lake Granby, Dillon Reservoir, and Pueblo Reservoir require $300,000–$500,000 liability. High altitude and cold water create risk factors not present in lower-elevation boating states.
Alabama has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina agreements on Lake Guntersville, Lake Martin, Mobile Bay, and Gulf Shores require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Gulf and ICW operators face open-water conditions that warrant higher limits and offshore towing coverage.
Kentucky has no state boat insurance mandate, but marina slip agreements on Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Lake Cumberland require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Kentucky's massive houseboat fleet on Lake Cumberland needs specialized coverage beyond standard recreational boat policies.
South Carolina has no state boat insurance mandate, but Lake Murray marinas and Charleston Harbor facilities require $300,000–$500,000 liability through standard slip agreements. ICW operators sharing waterways with commercial barge traffic face elevated liability exposure that the absence of a state law does not eliminate.
Indiana has no state boat insurance mandate, but Lake Michigan marinas in Michigan City and Portage require $300,000–$500,000 liability — consistent with Illinois and Wisconsin shoreline standards. Lake Monroe and Geist Reservoir marina agreements impose the same requirement through standard slip language.
Tennessee has no state boat insurance mandate, but TVA marina permit agreements across Norris, Watts Bar, Chickamauga, and Kentucky Lake require $300,000–$500,000 liability as a standard slip condition. With 184 miles of Kentucky Lake alone, towing coverage limits matter as much as liability limits.
Virginia has no state boat insurance mandate, but Chesapeake Bay and Smith Mountain Lake marina slip agreements require $300,000–$500,000 liability as a standard contractual condition. Hampton Roads boat traffic — overlapping with commercial shipping and Navy vessels — adds liability exposure no recreational boat policy should skip.
Louisiana has no state boat insurance mandate, but Gulf Coast and Lake Pontchartrain marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability as a standard slip condition. Hurricane deductibles — often percentage-based, not flat — are a Louisiana-specific risk most boaters underestimate.
Wisconsin has no state boat insurance mandate, but Door County and Lake Geneva marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability as a standard slip condition. Lake Superior's remote open-water exposure — with Coast Guard stations 50+ miles from the Apostle Islands — makes uninsured boating a serious financial gamble.
Missouri has no state boat insurance mandate, but Lake of the Ozarks marinas — serving one of the most heavily trafficked recreational lakes in the US — require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Table Rock Lake Corps concessionaires have similar requirements.
Maryland has no state boat insurance mandate, but Chesapeake Bay marinas in Annapolis and along the Bay require $300,000–$500,000 liability. The Bay's commercial shipping traffic, weather volatility, and dense summer recreational traffic create liability exposure unlike inland lakes.
Arizona has no state boat insurance mandate, but Lake Havasu marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability and National Park Service concessionaires at Lake Powell require documented coverage from slip holders and houseboat renters.
Pennsylvania has no state boat insurance mandate, but Lake Erie marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability and Pittsburgh tri-rivers boat clubs require proof of coverage. Financed vessels require hull coverage by lender contract.
Illinois has no state boat insurance mandate, but Chicago Park District harbor slip agreements require $500,000–$1,000,000 liability — far above the inland lake standard. With 600,000+ registered watercraft and Lake Michigan open-water exposure, coverage choices matter.
Minnesota has no state boat insurance mandate, but the DNR registers over 850,000 watercraft and most marina slip contracts require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Lake Superior access requires specific policy confirmation.
Washington has no state boat insurance mandate, but Puget Sound marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Ferry traffic, tidal currents at Tacoma Narrows, and commercial shipping lanes create open-water exposure unlike most inland lake states.
North Carolina has no state boat insurance mandate, but coastal marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Hurricane deductibles, Outer Banks inlet hazards, and the Intracoastal Waterway make NC boating insurance decisions more complex than most states.
Georgia has no state boat insurance mandate, but Lake Lanier marinas — on one of the busiest recreational lakes in the US — require $300,000–$500,000 liability. Coastal boaters near Savannah face additional commercial vessel and hurricane exposure.
Ohio has no state law requiring boat insurance, but most marina slip agreements on Lake Erie and inland reservoirs require $300,000–$500,000 liability. With 700,000+ registered vessels and Lake Erie's open-water hazards, understanding what coverage you actually need matters.
Michigan has no state law requiring boat insurance, but marina contracts on the Great Lakes and 11,000+ inland lakes require $300K–$1M liability. Learn what Michigan boaters actually need.
Massachusetts requires 20/40/5 liability plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage on every registered motorcycle. PIP does not apply — learn the compulsory coverage rules, penalties, and SDIP rating system.
New York has no state law requiring boat insurance, but marina contracts require $300K–$1M liability and NYC Parks permits require $1M for commercial vessels. Learn what NY boaters actually need.
California has no statewide boat insurance mandate, but most marina slip agreements require $300,000–$500,000 liability and California State Parks marinas require documented coverage. Here's what CA boat owners need to know.
Texas law does not require boat insurance, but most marina slip agreements require $300,000–$500,000 liability and virtually all marine lenders require hull coverage. Here's what Texas boat owners actually need.
Tow trucks require commercial auto liability ($300K–$750K under FMCSA), on-hook coverage for vehicles in transport, and garage keepers liability for impound operations. Motor club contracts often require $1M.
Florida has no state law requiring boat insurance, but marinas require $300,000–$500,000 liability and lenders require hull coverage. With 900,000+ registered vessels and high accident rates, coverage is essential.
Florida requires $10,000 PIP and $10,000 PDL for LSV-classified golf carts on public roads. Standard golf carts under 20 mph have no state insurance mandate — but HOA rules and accident liability make coverage essential.
Most states require liability insurance for street-legal mopeds and scooters — but the engine size threshold varies. Under 50cc mopeds are exempt in some states; over 150cc is treated like a motorcycle everywhere.
Snowmobile insurance is legally required in MN, ND, NH, NY, and ME for public trail use. Most other states don't mandate it — but riding without liability coverage is a serious financial risk.
Wyoming requires 25/50/20 minimum motorcycle liability with no helmet law for adults. Riding in bison country near Yellowstone and Grand Teton makes comprehensive coverage essential — not optional.
South Dakota requires 25/50/25 minimum motorcycle liability with no helmet law for adults. Home to Sturgis Rally (500,000+ riders) and bison-crossing roads — coverage choices have real consequences here.
New Mexico requires 25/50/10 minimum motorcycle liability, universal helmets, and mandatory UM coverage. With a ~21-24% uninsured driver rate and open-range livestock hazards, coverage gaps are costly.
Arkansas requires 25/50/25 minimum motorcycle liability and helmets for all riders. With a ~16-19% uninsured driver rate and the famous Pig Trail through the Ozarks, adequate coverage is essential.
Rhode Island requires 25/50/25 minimum liability, helmets for all riders, and mandatory uninsured motorist coverage. With a 15-17% uninsured driver rate, UM protection is genuinely critical here.
Vermont requires 25/50/10 minimum motorcycle liability with no helmet law for adults. The fall foliage season brings peak traffic on technical mountain roads — collision coverage is worth carrying.
Kansas requires 25/50/10 minimum motorcycle liability — the $10,000 property damage limit is especially low. Motorcycles are excluded from Kansas's no-fault PIP system and helmets are only required under 18.
Nebraska requires 25/50/25 minimum motorcycle liability and helmets for all riders with no age exemptions. Hail storms and deer hazards in the Sandhills make comprehensive coverage a practical necessity.
North Dakota requires 25/50/25 minimum motorcycle liability and has no helmet law for riders 18+. Motorcycles are excluded from the state's no-fault PIP system — wildlife coverage is essential.
Delaware requires 25/50/10 minimum motorcycle liability, universal helmets for all riders, and mandatory UM coverage. Motorcycles are excluded from Delaware's no-fault PIP system.
Mississippi requires 25/50/25 minimum motorcycle liability and enforces a universal helmet law for all riders. With a ~29% uninsured driver rate, UM coverage is especially important.
Montana requires 25/50/10 motorcycle liability — the $10,000 property damage minimum is one of the lowest in the US. Montana has no helmet law for any rider, vast distances from hospitals, and significant elk/deer hazards.
Idaho requires 25/50/15 minimum motorcycle liability coverage and has no helmet law for any rider. Home to the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and Hells Canyon — Idaho's remote canyon routes make collision and comprehensive coverage worth carrying.
Maine requires 50/100/25 motorcycle liability — one of the highest minimums in the US. No adult helmet law, but moose crossings, coastal fog, and frost-heaved roads make comprehensive coverage a practical necessity.
West Virginia requires 25/50/25 motorcycle liability coverage, a universal helmet law for all riders, and includes uninsured motorist coverage by default. Home of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails and New River Gorge riding country.
Utah requires 25/65/15 motorcycle liability coverage with a higher-than-average $65,000 aggregate. Utah is a no-fault state but motorcycles are excluded from PIP — and Utah was the first state to legalize lane filtering.
New Hampshire is the only state without mandatory auto insurance — but motorcycles must carry 25/50/25 liability coverage. No helmet law for adults, but insurance is required for all riders on public roads.
Alaska requires 50/100/25 motorcycle liability coverage — among the highest minimums in the US. No universal helmet law, but remote roads, wildlife hazards, and limited emergency response make comprehensive coverage critical.
Missouri requires 25/50/10 minimum motorcycle liability plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage included by default. The state's partial helmet law requires helmets only for riders under 26 or in their first endorsement year — not all riders.
Oklahoma requires 25/50/25 minimum motorcycle liability in a pure at-fault state. All riders must wear DOT-certified helmets under Oklahoma's universal helmet law. Comprehensive coverage is critical in Tornado Alley — hail and storm damage are routine events.
Hawaii requires 20/40/10 minimum motorcycle liability — and unlike auto owners, motorcycle riders are excluded from Hawaii's mandatory no-fault PIP coverage. Year-round riding season and island healthcare costs make comprehensive coverage worth considering.
Kentucky requires 25/50/10 minimum motorcycle liability, but the state's choice no-fault system doesn't apply to motorcyclists — riders operate under tort rules with no automatic PIP coverage for their own injuries. Universal helmet law applies to all riders.
Alabama requires 25/50/25 motorcycle liability with a universal helmet law. Alabama's contributory negligence rule means even 1% fault bars your recovery from the other driver — making UM/UIM and MedPay more critical here than in most states.
Connecticut requires 25/50/25 motorcycle liability plus both uninsured AND underinsured motorist coverage — but motorcycles are excluded from CT's no-fault PIP requirement, leaving riders without automatic medical coverage for their own injuries.
Louisiana requires 15/30/25 motorcycle liability — some of the lowest bodily injury minimums in the US. With an 11–14% uninsured driver rate and hurricane exposure, UM coverage and comprehensive are more critical here than in most states.
Iowa requires 20/40/15 motorcycle liability — among the lower minimums in the Midwest. Helmets are required only for riders under 18. UM/UIM is offered but not mandated, and Iowa ranks top 5 nationally for deer-vehicle collisions.
Oregon requires 25/50/20 motorcycle liability, but unlike auto policies, motorcycles are excluded from Oregon's mandatory PIP requirement — riders have no automatic medical coverage for their own injuries. Universal helmet law applies.
South Carolina requires 25/50/25 motorcycle liability plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage at matching limits. Helmets are required for riders under 21 and those with less than 2 years of licensure — not universally for all riders.
North Carolina requires 30/60/25 motorcycle liability plus uninsured motorist coverage that cannot be waived — one of the few states with mandatory UM. A universal helmet law applies to all riders and passengers regardless of age.
Washington requires 25/50/10 motorcycle liability plus uninsured motorist coverage auto-enrolled on every policy — removable only with a written rejection. A universal helmet law applies to all riders and passengers.
Virginia requires 30/60/20 motorcycle liability and eliminated its $500 uninsured vehicle fee in July 2024 — making insurance truly mandatory for all VA riders. FR-44 doubles minimums to 60/120/40 after DUI.
Maryland requires 30/60/15 liability on all motorcycles, enforces a universal helmet law for all riders and passengers regardless of age, and explicitly excludes motorcycles from its mandatory PIP system. With a 14-17% uninsured driver rate, UM coverage is critical.
Nevada requires 25/50/20 liability on all motorcycles and enforces one of the most aggressive real-time insurance verification systems in the US. Helmets are only required for riders under 21 — one of the more permissive thresholds nationally.
New Jersey requires 15/30/5 liability on all motorcycles, enforces a universal helmet law, and explicitly excludes motorcycles from its no-fault PIP system. With a $5,000 property damage minimum and 14-16% uninsured driver rate, NJ riders need more than the legal minimum.
Indiana raised its motorcycle insurance minimums in 2022 from 25/50/10 to 25/50/25. With roughly 16% of Indiana drivers uninsured, UM coverage is critical. Helmets are not required for adults. Learn current requirements, penalties, and SR-22 rules.
Minnesota requires 30/60/10 liability on all motorcycles, but riders are explicitly excluded from Minnesota's mandatory no-fault PIP system — meaning your own medical bills are not automatically covered. Learn what this means and why UM coverage is more important for MN riders than for car drivers.
Tennessee requires 25/50/15 liability on all registered motorcycles and enforces a universal helmet law for all riders regardless of age. With roughly 20% of TN drivers uninsured, UM coverage is critical for riders.
Wisconsin requires 25/50/10 liability plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage on all motorcycle policies — you cannot waive it. Learn state minimums, Wisconsin's unique UM mandate, deer collision risks, and off-season plate surrender rules.
Colorado requires 25/50/15 liability on all registered motorcycles. Riding uninsured is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Learn state minimums, helmet laws, SR-22 rules, and why MedPay matters when PIP doesn't apply to motorcycles.
Arizona requires 25/50/15 liability on all motorcycles — limits raised in 2020 from the old 15/30/10. Learn state minimums, monsoon riding risks, MVD enforcement, and why year-round riding makes comprehensive coverage essential.
New York requires 25/50/10 liability plus mandatory SUM (uninsured motorist) coverage on all motorcycle policies. Motorcycles are excluded from NY's no-fault PIP system — learn what that means for riders and why NYC coverage costs so much more.
Pennsylvania requires 15/30/5 motorcycle liability, but unlike car drivers, riders are exempt from the no-fault tort election — meaning all PA motorcyclists automatically have full tort rights to sue for pain and suffering.
Illinois requires 25/50/20 liability on all motorcycles plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage — one of few states that makes UM compulsory for riders. Learn state minimums, Chicago theft risks, and penalties for riding uninsured.
Georgia requires 25/50/25 liability on all motorcycles — the same minimums as for cars. Learn state requirements, the GEICS electronic verification system, uninsured motorist rules, and penalties for riding without coverage.
Michigan requires 20/40/10 motorcycle liability, but here's the catch: motorcycles are excluded from Michigan's no-fault PIP system. Learn what coverage riders actually need and how accident claims work differently than for cars.
Texas requires 30/60/25 liability on all motorcycles — the same as for cars. Learn state minimums, the Driver Responsibility Program surcharges for uninsured riders, and SR-22 rules.
California requires 30/60/15 motorcycle liability insurance as of January 2025, up from the old 15/30/5. Learn the new minimums, Proposition 213 penalties, and SR-22 rules for riders.
Florida does not legally require motorcycle insurance, but riders face full financial liability for at-fault accidents. Learn what coverage Florida motorcyclists should carry and when it becomes required.
Jet ski insurance requirements vary by state. Learn which states require PWC coverage, registration rules, minimum liability limits, and recommended coverage levels.
Golf cart insurance requirements vary by state and where you drive. Learn which states require coverage for street-legal carts, minimum liability limits, and recommended coverage.
Only a few states require ATV insurance. Learn state-by-state requirements, when liability is mandatory, registration rules, and recommended coverage levels.
Motorized RVs require liability insurance in all 50 states. Learn state-by-state requirements, what towable trailers need, full-timer coverage, and recommended limits.
Owner-operators need $750,000-$1,000,000+ liability depending on cargo. Learn FMCSA requirements, how to get authority, costs, and coverage you actually need.
Only Arkansas requires boat insurance statewide. Learn state-by-state requirements, when lenders and marinas require coverage, and what boat owners actually need.
Commercial trucks need $750,000-$5,000,000 liability depending on cargo. Learn FMCSA requirements, DOT filings, owner-operator coverage, and how to get authority.
Ohio requires 25/50/25 minimum liability for motorcycles—same as cars. Learn state requirements, SR-22 rules, seasonal coverage options, and recommended limits.
