Who Gets Coverage Most Easily

• Motorcycle commuters are willing to accept exclusion
• Occasional track day participants (1-3 times/year)
• Amateur autocross or drag racing competitors
• Vintage or classic car racers at limited events
• Off-road motorcycle riders (dirt bikes, motocross)
• Those with otherwise excellent health profiles
• Riders/drivers with clean safety records

Who Faces Greater Challenges

• Professional race car drivers (any series)
• Professional motorcycle racers
• Daily motorcycle commuters want full coverage
• Sport bike riders (high-performance bikes)
• Regular track racers (6+ events per year)
• Stunt riders or extreme motorsports participants
• Those with an accident history in motorsports

Three Main Coverage Approaches

• Policy with Exclusion: Standard rates, motorsports deaths not covered
• Rated Policy: Higher premiums (25-300% increase), full coverage
• Specialty Insurance: Insurers focused on motorsports, competitive pricing
• Group life through an employer often has no hobby questions
• Combination strategies can balance cost and coverage
• Honest disclosure is absolutely essential

Factors Insurers Evaluate

• Type of motorcycle: Cruiser, sport bike, touring, dual-sport
• Engine displacement: Under 500cc, 500-1000cc, 1000cc+
• Primary use: Commuting, recreation, both
• Annual mileage: Occasional vs. daily riding
• Experience level: Years riding, training courses
• Safety record: Accidents, violations, claims
• Safety gear: Helmet use, protective equipment
• License status: Proper motorcycle endorsement

Motorcycle Type Impact

• Cruisers/Touring bikes: Lowest risk perception, easier underwriting
• Standard/Commuter bikes: Moderate risk, reasonable rates possible
• Sport bikes (600cc+): High risk, significant premium increases
• Superbikes (1000cc+ sport): Very high risk, specialty insurers often needed
• Dual-sport/Adventure: Moderate risk, depends on off-road use
• Dirt bikes/Off-road only: Lower risk if not street-legal

Riding Frequency Matters

• Occasional (seasonal, <1000 mi/year): Minimal impact, exclusion likely
• Recreational (2000-5000 mi/year): Moderate impact, table 2-4
• Regular commuter (5000-10000 mi/year): Significant impact, table 4-6
• Daily rider (10000+ mi/year): Major impact, table 6-8 or specialty
• Professional rider: Very high impact, specialty insurers required
• Lower mileage with a safer bike type improves outcomes

Typical Underwriting Outcomes for Motorcycle Riders

Types of Racing and Risk Levels

• Autocross/Solo: Lowest risk, parking lot speeds, one car at a time
• Track days/HPDE: Low-moderate risk, non-competitive
• Amateur wheel-to-wheel: Moderate-high risk, competitive
• Drag racing (amateur): Moderate risk, straight line, safety equipment
• Rally racing: High risk, varied terrain, speed
• Professional circuit racing: Very high risk, career focus
• Extreme motorsports: Very high risk, stunt driving, drifting

Underwriting Factors for Racers

• Events per year: 1-2 vs. 20+ makes a huge difference
• Professional vs. amateur: Paid driver = professional
• Sanctioning body: SCCA, NASA, professional series
• Type of car: Production vs. purpose-built race car
• Safety equipment: Roll cage, HANS device, fire system
• Experience level: Novice vs. veteran driver
• Incident history: Crashes or safety violations
• Income from racing: Hobby vs. career

Amateur vs. Professional Distinction

• Amateur: Hobby, self-funded, recreational competition
• Semi-pro: Some sponsorship or prize money
• Professional: Primary income, licensed series, career
• Professionals face the most difficulty with traditional insurers
• Even minor sponsorships can elevate risk classification
• Amateur racers have significantly more options
• Be honest about income from racing activities

Typical Underwriting Outcomes for Race Car Drivers

Standard Application Questions

• Do you own or operate a motorcycle?
• Do you participate in racing or speed contests?
• Do you participate in any hazardous sports or activities?
• Type and make/model of motorcycle or race vehicle
• How many times per year do you participate?
• Do you receive income from these activities?
• Have you had any accidents or citations?
• What safety equipment do you use?

Detailed Follow-Up Questionnaire

• Specific type of racing or riding
• Years of experience in the activity
• Training, certifications, or licenses held
• Organization memberships (AMA, SCCA, etc.)
• Typical speeds or conditions
• Solo vs. competitive racing
• Professional status and earnings
• Future plans for participation

What Improves Your Profile

• Clean record: No accidents or serious incidents
• Proper training: Safety courses, coaching, schools
• Quality equipment: Modern, well-maintained vehicles
• Safety gear: Professional-grade protective equipment
• Sanctioned events: Organized, safety-focused venues
• Limited frequency: Occasional vs. constant participation
• Excellent health: Overall wellness offsets activity risk

Policy with Motorsports Exclusion

• How it works: Standard rates, motorsports deaths not covered
• All other causes of death are fully covered
• Most affordable option for riders/racers
• Exclusion language specifies exact activities
• Typically permanent for the life of the policy
• The claim investigation determines the cause if you die
• Best for: Occasional participants prioritizing affordability

Table-Rated Policy with Full Coverage

• How it works: Higher premiums, all deaths covered
• Premium increase of 25-300% depending on activity
• Available from some traditional insurers
• Provides complete peace of mind
• More expensive over the policy lifetime
• May require working with a specialized broker
• Best for: Those wanting comprehensive protection

Specialty Motorsports Insurance

• How it works: Insurers focused on high-risk activities
• Full motorsports coverage included
• Understanding of sport-specific risks
• May offer competitive pricing for heavy participants
• Required for professional racers
• Limited number of providers
• Best for: Frequent racers and professionals

Group Life Through Employer

• Often, there are no questions about hobbies or activities
• Guaranteed issue up to certain amounts
• No motorsports exclusions typically
• Limited to 1-3x annual salary, usually
• Ends when you leavethe  employer
• Should supplement, not replace, individual coverage
• Best for: Baseline coverage while pursuing better options

Combination Strategy

• Mix exclusion and full-coverage policies
• Example: $250K with exclusion + $250K specialty
• Balances cost with comprehensive protection
• Most deaths are covered at standard rates
• Motorsports deaths covered by the specialty portion
• Can be more affordable than a single large-rated policy
• Best for: Managing costs while maintaining protection

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

• Covers only accidental deaths, not illness
• Motorsports are often excluded from AD&D
• Much cheaper than life insurance
• Not a substitute for comprehensive coverage
• Read exclusions carefully before purchasing
• Limited usefulness for racers/riders
• May provide some coverage if combined with other policies

Premium Comparison: $500,000 20-Year Term, Age 35, Healthy Male

Advantages of Specialty Insurers

• Understanding of motorsports-specific risks
• Competitive rates for high-frequency participants
• Full racing/riding coverage without exclusions
• Experience in underwriting professional drivers
• May offer better rates than table-rated traditional
• Willingness to cover activities others decline
• Streamlined application process for motorsports

Finding Specialty Coverage

• Work with independent brokers specializing in high-risk insurance
• Racing organizations may have insurer relationships
• Lloyd’s of London syndicates cover motorsports
• Some carriers offer motorsports rider programs
• Online specialty insurance marketplaces
• Ask fellow racers/riders for recommendations
• Compare quotes from multiple sources, as pricing varies

Working with Specialized Brokers

• Brokers maintain relationships with specialty carriers
• Know which insurers offer the best prices for specific activities
• Navigate complex underwriting situations
• May secure coverage unavailable directly
• Can save thousands over policy lifetime
• Verify broker’s experience with motorsports specifically
• Worth consulting even if you think you know your options

Safety and Experience

• Advanced training: Track schools, racing schools, MSF courses
• Safety certifications: Racing licenses, advanced endorsements
• Organization membership: SCCA, AMA, racing clubs
• Quality equipment: Modern safety gear, maintained vehicles
• Clean record: No accidents, violations, or claims
• Experience accumulation: More years show you’re not reckless
• Sanctioned events only: Organized, safety-focused venues

Health and Lifestyle Optimization

• Excellent overall health: Offsets activity risk perception
• Don’t smoke: Smoking dramatically increases premiums
• Maintain a healthy weight: BMI in the normal range helps
• Control blood pressure: Cardiovascular health is critical
• Manage cholesterol: Reduce overall mortality risk
• Avoid other risky activities: Multiple extreme sports compound
• Limit alcohol: Demonstrates a responsible lifestyle

Strategic Coverage Approaches

• Start with employer coverage: Get a baseline with no questions
• Apply young: Rates are lower at younger ages, even with activity
• Lock in before ramping up: Get policy before racing more
• Considera  combination approach: Mix exclusion and full coverage
• Shop extensively: Ratings vary 50%+ between insurers
• Use specialist brokers: They know which carriers rate best
• Reapply if circumstances change: Reduced participation = better rates

Can I get life insurance if I ride a motorcycle?

Direct answer: Yes, motorcycle riders can obtain life insurance. Most insurers offer coverage with a motorcycle exclusion at standard rates, or full coverage with premium increases of 25-250% depending on bike type, riding frequency, and other factors.

Nearly all life insurance companies will cover motorcycle riders, but terms vary significantly. The most common approach is standard rates with a motorcycle exclusion—you’re fully covered for all causes of death except motorcycle accidents. For full coverage without exclusions, expect table ratings that add 25% (occasional cruiser rider) to 250%+ (daily sport bike commuter) to your premiums. The type of motorcycle matters significantly: cruisers and touring bikes are viewed more favorably than sport bikes. Occasional recreational riding (under 2,000 miles/year) has much less impact than daily commuting. Many riders find the exclusion acceptable since most deaths aren’t motorcycle-related, though if full coverage is important, it’s available at higher cost.

What happens if I die in a motorcycle or racing accident with an exclusion?

Direct answer: If you have a motorsports exclusion on your policy and die in a racing or motorcycle accident, your beneficiaries will not receive the death benefit. However, deaths from all other causes remain fully covered.

A motorsports exclusion specifically denies death benefits for deaths resulting from the excluded activities. If you die from heart disease, cancer, a car accident (as passenger in a car), or any non-motorsports cause, your policy pays normally. Only deaths directly caused by racing or motorcycling are excluded. The insurer must prove the death resulted from excluded activities. If you want your beneficiaries protected even in the event of a motorsports death, you must either secure a rated policy without exclusions or purchase specialty insurance that covers these activities. This typically costs significantly more but provides complete protection.

Is autocross or track days considered racing for life insurance?

Direct answer: Yes, most life insurance companies consider autocross, track days, and high-performance driving events (HPDE) as racing or motorsports activities that require disclosure and may result in exclusions or premium increases.

Even though autocross is non-competitive, one-car-at-a-time, and relatively low-speed, insurance underwriters classify it as a motorsports activity requiring disclosure. Track days and HPDE events are also considered motorsports despite being non-competitive. You must disclose these activities on your application—failure to do so can result in claim denial. However, the underwriting impact varies: autocross 6-12 times per year might result in a motorcycle exclusion or Table 2 rating (25% increase), while wheel-to-wheel racing gets Table 4-6+ ratings (75-150% increases). The distinction between time trials, autocross, and competitive wheel-to-wheel racing matters, with autocross typically receiving the most favorable treatment among racing activities.

Do sport bikes cost more to insure for life insurance than cruisers?

Direct answer: Yes, sport bikes typically result in higher life insurance premiums than cruisers. Sport bikes are associated with higher speeds, younger riders, and increased accident rates, leading to table ratings that can be 50-100% higher than for cruiser riders.

Life insurance underwriters view motorcycle type as a significant risk factor. Sport bikes (especially super sport bikes with engines over 1000cc) are statistically associated with higher fatality rates and are often ridden by younger, less experienced riders at higher speeds. A recreational rider on a Harley touring bike might receive standard rates with an exclusion or Table 2 rating, while someone on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 sport bike might face Table 4-6 ratings even with similar riding frequency. Cruisers, touring bikes, and standard motorcycles are viewed more favorably. If you own multiple bikes, disclose them all—some insurers focus on the highest-risk bike you own. Adventure bikes and dual-sports typically fall somewhere in the middle of the risk spectrum.

Can I remove a motorsports exclusion later if I stop riding or racing?

Direct answer: No, motorsports exclusions are typically permanent for the life of the policy and cannot be removed. If you genuinely stop participating, you can apply for new coverage without the exclusion, though you’ll be older and face higher age-based premiums.

Exclusions are permanent riders that cannot be amended once issued. If you stop racing or riding and want full coverage, your only option is to apply for a new life insurance policy without disclosing current participation (because you’re no longer participating). You must have genuinely stopped—lying about continued participation is fraud. However, when you apply for new coverage, you’ll be older and pay higher premiums based on your current age, even without the motorsports activity. Whether new coverage makes sense depends on the premium difference and your age. Some people simply keep the exclusion policy knowing most deaths aren’t motorsports-related anyway. If you’re considering stopping to improve insurability, get new coverage in place before canceling the old policy to avoid gaps.

Does group life insurance through my employer cover motorsports?

Direct answer: Most employer group life insurance policies do not ask about hobbies or motorsports activities and provide guaranteed issue coverage up to certain limits, meaning racing and motorcycle deaths would typically be covered without exclusions or premium increases.

Group life insurance through employers usually offers limited underwriting with no questions about hobbies, sports, or recreational activities for basic coverage amounts (typically 1-3x salary). These policies generally cover all deaths including motorsports-related fatalities, as risk is pooled across all employees. This makes group life excellent baseline coverage for racers and riders. However, group coverage amounts are usually insufficient for full family protection needs and end when you leave the employer. Use group coverage as part of your insurance strategy, supplementing with individual coverage as needed. If your employer offers voluntary additional coverage beyond the guaranteed amount, that supplemental coverage may include motorsports questions or exclusions, so read the application carefully.