Motorcycle Insurance in McHenry, IL & Northern Illinois
Ride more. Worry less.
Whether you ride a cruiser, sport bike, touring rig, or trike, we compare quotes from top-rated motorcycle carriers to find the right coverage for how you actually ride.
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Why Choose Ryan P. Conway Agency
The right bike policy, from a carrier that actually specializes in motorcycles.
Standard auto carriers either won't write motorcycles or treat them as an afterthought. We work with carriers that specialize in bike coverage — companies that understand the difference between a cruiser, a sport bike, a touring rig, and a trike, and price the policy accordingly. You bring the knowledge of how you ride; we bring 25+ carriers and the experience to match you with the right one.
Coverage Options
Motorcycle Insurance Coverage We Offer
A motorcycle policy works similarly to auto insurance, but with bike-specific coverages that auto policies don't include. Here's what's typically available.
Required in IL
Bodily Injury Liability
Pays for injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident.
Required in IL
Property Damage Liability
Covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property.
Required in IL
Uninsured Motorist
Protects you if you're hit by a driver with no insurance — a significant risk for riders.
Recommended
Collision
Pays to repair or replace your bike after an accident, regardless of fault.
Recommended
Comprehensive
Covers theft, vandalism, hail, fire, and animal strikes. Critical for any bike kept outside or in a garage.
Recommended
Medical Payments
Helps cover medical bills for you and your passenger, regardless of who caused the accident.
Add-On
Custom Parts & Equipment
Standard policies cap aftermarket coverage at $1,000–$3,000. Riders with chrome, exhaust, saddlebags, or audio should schedule the upgrades.
Add-On
Trip Interruption
Covers hotel, meals, and transportation if your bike breaks down more than 100 miles from home.
Add-On
Roadside Assistance
Towing, fuel delivery, and flat-tire help — different from auto roadside because not every tow truck handles bikes.
Have questions about the right coverage? Contact Us
What Riders Often Underestimate
$25 / 50 / 20
Illinois minimum liability limits — same as auto
22X
Motorcyclist fatality rate per vehicle mile vs. passenger car occupants
$1K–$3K
Standard policy cap on custom parts coverage before scheduling is needed
Higher injury rates plus expensive customizations mean state-minimum coverage often falls dangerously short for riders. Figures reflect Illinois Insurance Code, 215 ILCS 5/143a and NHTSA motorcycle safety data.
State Requirements vs. Real Protection
State minimum coverage barely covers the bike, let alone the rider.
Illinois requires motorcycle riders to carry the same minimum liability as drivers — 25/50/20. But motorcycles see significantly higher injury and fatality rates than cars per mile driven, custom parts can easily double the value of a bike, and a bare-minimum policy meets the law but leaves real gaps.
Local Considerations
Motorcycle insurance made for the way we ride up here
Riding in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin comes with specific risks and considerations that affect what coverage actually matters.
Off-Season Storage
Most Illinois bikes sit 5–6 months a year. Lay-up policies that drop liability in winter can save real money.
Deer & Wildlife
McHenry, Boone, and Lake County all see heavy deer activity. A deer strike on a bike is a comprehensive claim — and often a serious one.
Weekend Routes
Route 173, Wisconsin runs, and the Lake Geneva loop are popular. Confirm your policy covers out-of-state riding, which most do but worth checking.
Group Rides & Events
Charity rides, ABATE events, and bike nights bring different exposures. Adequate liability matters when riding with a group.
Local Services
Motorcycle Insurance Throughout Northern Illinois
Ryan P. Conway Agency is based in McHenry, Illinois, and we write motorcycle insurance for riders throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We concentrate in McHenry County, Lake County, and the lake communities along the Wisconsin border — but we can write coverage anywhere in Illinois. The cities below are just a sample.
- McHenry
- Crystal Lake
- Woodstock
- Algonquin
- Lake in the Hills
- Cary
- Huntley
- Marengo
- Fox Lake
- Antioch
- Wauconda
- Grayslake
- Lindenhurst
- Lake Geneva
- Genoa City
- Twin Lakes
- Walworth
- Williams Bay
McHenry
Crystal Lake
Woodstock
Algonquin
Lake in the Hills
Cary
Huntley
Marengo
Fox Lake
Antioch
Wauconda
Grayslake
Lindenhurst
Lake Geneva
Genoa City
Twin Lakes
Walworth
Williams Bay
Common Questions
Motorcycle Insurance FAQ
Is motorcycle insurance required in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires every registered motorcycle to carry the same minimum liability as a car: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury, $20,000 property damage, plus uninsured motorist coverage at 25/50. Riding without it can result in fines, license suspension, and registration consequences.
How much does motorcycle insurance cost?
It varies widely — from under $200 a year for a low-power cruiser to well over $1,500 a year for a high-performance sport bike. Major factors include bike type, engine size, your age and riding history, where you store the bike, your liability limits, and your deductibles. We can run real numbers in a few minutes.
Does my auto insurance cover my motorcycle?
No. Motorcycles need a separate policy. Auto insurance does not extend coverage to motorcycles in any meaningful way — and most auto carriers won't even write motorcycle policies. We work with motorcycle-specific carriers who specialize in the product.
Should I keep coverage during the winter?
It depends. Dropping coverage entirely saves money in the short term but leaves your bike unprotected from theft, fire, or storage damage — and can create a coverage lapse that raises future rates. Lay-up coverage is usually the better choice: it keeps comprehensive coverage in place year-round while suspending liability and collision during storage months.
Does motorcycle insurance cover custom parts and equipment?
Up to a point. Most standard policies include $1,000–$3,000 of automatic coverage for aftermarket parts — which goes fast on chrome, exhaust, saddlebags, audio systems, and seats. If you've invested more than that in customization, you'll want scheduled custom parts coverage that matches your actual upgrades.
Do I need a special license to ride in Illinois?
Yes — Illinois requires a Class M endorsement on your driver's license to operate a motorcycle. The state offers free safety courses through the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program, and completing one usually earns you an insurance discount as well.
Does my passenger have coverage if they're hurt?
Generally yes, but the details matter. Your liability coverage typically extends to passengers, and medical payments coverage (MedPay) can help cover passenger medical bills regardless of fault. We recommend MedPay on every motorcycle policy for exactly this reason.
Will I get a discount for completing a safety course?
Yes, with most carriers. Completing an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course or the Illinois state safety course typically earns a meaningful premium discount and signals to underwriters that you're a lower-risk rider.