After strapping on your helmet, the next best protection you can have in case of a motorcycle accident is ADEQUATE insurance. While all 50 states require minimum insurance coverage to operate a motorcycle, be aware that the minimums (sometimes misnamed “full coverage”) will fail you miserably in a serious accident. Like any type of insurance, how much you’ll need and can afford will depend on many different factors.

So before you climb onto your dream bike, do your research and talk to your insurance agent about coverage that will be there when you need it, not which policy is the cheapest.