Custom parts, upgrades and riding gear: what motorcycle coverage pays for
How parts and gear coverage works, which limits to check and how to prove value
Imagine a rider in Tucson who spent two winters turning a stock cruiser into her own bike. She added a louder exhaust, a gel seat, hard saddlebags, a taller windshield and a wired phone mount. The receipts came to about $6,000. Then a pickup turned left across her lane.
She walked away bruised. Her bike, her helmet and her jacket took most of the damage. When the adjuster called, one of the first questions was whether her policy listed any of those upgrades.
Many riders learn after a crash that their policy treats added parts and riding gear differently from the bike itself. This guide covers what counts as a custom part and how much coverage policies often include. It also looks at helmets and gear, how claims are paid and how to prove what you owned. Limits and rules vary by insurer and by state, so use this as a list of things to check in your own policy.
What counts as a custom part
Insurers use several names for this protection. You may see accessory coverage, custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage, or optional equipment coverage [1, 2, 3]. Each one covers parts and equipment added to a motorcycle beyond what it had when it was built.
One large insurer, Progressive, says on its consumer page that standard motorcycle insurance may not cover aftermarket accessories. It says optional accessory coverage can pay to fix or replace those upgrades [1]. Other companies word this differently, so the exact rules depend on your policy.
Common examples
Progressive’s list of covered extras includes custom paint, custom wheels and seats, saddlebags, windshields, chrome pieces, handlebars and electronics [1]. In a 2016 release, the Insurance Information Institute, an insurance industry group, named exhaust pipes, saddlebags and seats as examples of equipment added after purchase [4]. The policy guide from Harley-Davidson Insurance, an insurance agency, mentions a custom exhaust, upgraded seats and performance changes [2].
A good rule of thumb is to think about anything you bolted on, wired in, painted or swapped out. Lights, heated grips, a stereo or a new set of pipes all cost money to replace. If it did not come with the bike, ask how your policy treats it.
Factory parts versus added parts
Progressive describes its accessory coverage as protection for things beyond what the maker included at assembly [1]. That suggests factory equipment is treated as part of the bike itself, while the added parts need the extra coverage.
Used bikes need extra care. Progressive notes that a dealer or a former owner may have added aftermarket parts, and that a standard policy may not cover them. It advises buyers to learn which parts are stock [1].
Imagine a rider in Ohio who buys a used touring bike with a custom seat and brighter lights the seller installed. Those parts may count as aftermarket even though the rider never bought them separately. Asking the seller for receipts, and telling the insurer, can prevent a surprise later.
Builds some insurers will not cover
Heavily built bikes can be harder to insure for damage. Progressive says a custom bike must have resale values listed in the NADA Appraisal Guide to get its full set of coverages. It offers only liability coverage for bikes built from a kit or loose parts and bikes with a replaced original frame. The same is true for bikes with a state assigned VIN and for rebuilt or retitled bikes [5].
Liability insurance covers what you owe others when you hurt them or damage their things [6]. It does not pay to fix your own bike. Some insurers do sell special plans for heavily customized machines. Foremost, for example, lists custom packages for bikes with more than $30,000 in optional equipment [3].
How much coverage is included, and how much you can buy
The included amount matters because it is often far below what riders spend. Progressive automatically includes $3,000 of accessory coverage when you carry comprehensive and collision. It lets riders buy up to $30,000 for most vehicle types [1, 7].
Harley-Davidson Insurance’s policy review guide says standard policies typically include $1,000 for custom parts and accessories. The guide adds that riders with major upgrades might need coverage up to $30,000 [2]. Foremost’s page lists different amounts for each of its packages [3].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Parts and gear coverage at four companies (examples only)
| Insurer | Parts coverage included | Most you can buy | Helmet and gear coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $3,000 with comprehensive and collision | Up to $30,000 for most bikes | Up to $3,000 for apparel in a covered collision |
| Foremost | $3,500 (Plus) or $5,000 at replacement cost (Elite) | Up to $30,000; custom packages above that | $500, $1,500 or $2,500 by package |
| Harley-Davidson Insurance guide | Says $1,000 is typical | Says up to $30,000 may be needed | Not stated in the guide |
| GEICO | No amount listed on its page | No amount listed | Offers apparel and stored gear coverage |
As of October 2026. Examples from each company’s public page, not recommendations; amounts vary by state, package and policy and can change. Sources: Progressive [1, 7]; Foremost [3]; Harley-Davidson Insurance [2]; GEICO [8].
Which coverages it rides on
Accessory coverage is usually tied to the coverages that pay for damage to your own bike. Comprehensive pays when the bike is stolen, vandalized, burned or hurt by weather or an animal. Collision pays when it hits another vehicle or an object, such as a fence or guardrail [7].
At Progressive, the included $3,000 comes with comprehensive, or with comprehensive and collision together [1]. If your policy carries only liability, it pays for damage you do to others, so your own upgrades have no coverage [6].
Choosing a limit
Start with what you have spent. Imagine a rider who has put $7,500 into parts and paint, on a policy with $3,000 included. If everything were destroyed, she would be $4,500 short before the deductible.
Progressive suggests choosing an amount that would let you customize or restore the bike again. Its coverage page also says riders who keep adding upgrades may want to raise their accessory limit [7]. A deductible applies to its parts claims [1]. A deductible is the amount taken out of your claim payment before the insurer pays [6].
Helmets, jackets and other riding gear
Your gear is often handled apart from the parts bolted to the bike. The rules for it vary widely.
Progressive sells safety riding apparel coverage. It pays for riding clothes ruined or harmed in a covered collision, with a limit of $3,000. To qualify, at least one vehicle on the policy must carry comprehensive and collision [7]. The company’s answers page adds that, in some cases, a helmet and other protective gear may also be covered through accessory coverage [1].
Foremost’s packages include helmet and safety apparel coverage of $500, $1,500 or $2,500 [3]. The company describes this as coverage for clothing made to limit damage in a crash [3]. Its 2017 brochure ties the benefit to a covered collision loss [9].
GEICO lists safety riding apparel coverage for protective gear damaged in a covered loss. It also lists stored gear coverage for gear kept on the bike, up to the limit you choose [8]. State Farm lists damage to protective gear among the things its motorcycle policy can cover, when that coverage is part of your policy [10].
Gear you also wear off the bike
National General, an Allstate company, says some policies limit gear coverage to items used only for riding. It suggests asking your agent whether items like gloves or jackets are covered too [11]. A leather jacket you wear to dinner may be treated differently from armored pants you wear only on the bike.
The dollar limit can fall short. National General gives the example of a policy with $500 for a helmet and gear, and notes that some custom helmets cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars [11]. Add up your helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and pants before you pick a limit.
Belongings and maker programs
Things you carry are another category. Progressive offers carried contents coverage for belongings on the bike, such as phones or camping gear, damaged in a covered loss [7]. National General also notes that some gear makers have their own warranties that could apply after a crash [11]. Check with the maker before you throw anything away.
How parts and gear claims get paid
How a policy values a damaged part can change the payment a great deal.
Actual cash value or replacement cost
Actual cash value (ACV) payments take off an amount for age and wear, called depreciation. Harley-Davidson Insurance’s guide warns that ACV can leave you short of what a true replacement costs. It says replacement cost coverage for optional equipment may pay for new custom parts [2].
Policies differ here. Foremost’s Elite package lists optional equipment at replacement cost, while its Saver package lists optional equipment at ACV [3]. Progressive says its accessory coverage does not depreciate customized parts, for bikes listed in the NADA Appraisal Guide [5].
Imagine a $1,200 custom seat that is four years old. Under ACV, the insurer may subtract an amount for age. Under replacement cost, the payment would be closer to the price of a new seat. In both cases the deductible comes out first.
Repairs with factory parts
When only part of a bike is damaged, the shop may order replacement parts. Foremost’s 2017 brochure says it uses original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts in a partial loss [9]. If your bike had an aftermarket part, ask whether the insurer will pay for the same brand or for a factory part. Get the answer in writing before repairs begin.
When the whole bike is totaled
A total loss raises another question: how the insurer values the bike and how the add ons fit into that number. Harley-Davidson Insurance describes agreed value coverage as a set amount you and the insurer settle on in advance. If the bike is totaled, that is what you get, with no depreciation [2]. The guide contrasts this with ACV, which accounts for depreciation. Another guide in this series covers totaled bikes, agreed value and valuation disputes in detail.
Proving what you owned
A parts or gear claim goes more smoothly when you can show what you owned and what it cost.
National General points to saving receipts as the most important step. It says you will need to show when and where you bought each item [11]. A 2019 consumer guide from Michigan’s insurance department, known as DIFS, tells consumers to give the adjuster records of any improvements made to their property [12]. State Farm says its agents can help customers document custom parts and equipment [10].
After a crash
The same Michigan guide advises taking photos or video of damage before repairs and keeping damaged property for the adjuster to inspect [12]. For a rider, that means keeping a cracked helmet or torn jacket until the claim is settled.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) tells drivers to photograph the scene, their vehicle, other vehicles and anything that was hit. It also says to save every receipt on any claim [13]. Texas’s Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC), another state office, adds that you should keep repair estimates, emails and receipts, and get copies of every estimate [14].
When another driver caused the crash
You may have two paths to payment. A first party claim is one you file with your own insurer. A third party claim is one you file against someone else’s policy [6].
Liability coverage pays when a driver is responsible for injuries to others or damage to their property [6]. Your bike, the parts on it and the gear you were wearing are all your property. That means they can be part of your claim against the other driver’s liability coverage. List every damaged item, including gear, when you report the claim.
You may also be able to file under your own collision, accessory and apparel coverages, subject to your deductible [6]. How the two claims fit together depends on your policy and your state’s fault rules. Ask your insurer to explain the options before you sign anything.
If you disagree with the offer
Texas OPIC lists options when you and your insurer disagree on a claim. You can raise the dispute with your adjuster, hire your own qualified appraiser to inspect the damage, or file a complaint with TDI [14]. Michigan’s 2019 guide suggests asking the company for the specific policy language in question [12].
Questions to ask your insurance agent
Question checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- How much custom parts and equipment coverage is on my policy right now, and what would it cost to raise it?
- Which of my upgrades count as custom, and are dealer installed parts treated any differently?
- Will you pay replacement cost or actual cash value for my added parts and my gear?
- Is there a separate deductible for parts or gear claims?
- Is my helmet and riding gear covered only in a collision, or also if it is stolen?
- Does gear coverage include items I also wear off the bike, like a leather jacket?
- What proof will you want if I file a claim for parts or gear?
- If my bike is totaled, how will you value the bike and the parts I added?
- If another driver hits me, should I file with you, with that driver’s insurer, or both?
Frequently asked questions
Does motorcycle insurance cover my helmet?
It depends on your policy. Some insurers offer separate apparel coverage with its own limit, such as up to $3,000 at Progressive in a covered collision [7]. Foremost’s packages include $500 to $2,500 for helmets and safety apparel [3]. Check whether your gear coverage applies only in a collision.
Should I tell my insurer when I add parts?
Your added parts are generally covered only up to the limit on your policy. Progressive says riders who keep adding upgrades may want to raise that limit [7]. Telling your agent about each new part, and sending receipts, helps match the limit to what you own.
Are parts the dealer installed covered as custom parts?
They may count as aftermarket. Progressive notes that a dealer or former owner may have added parts that a standard policy does not cover [1]. Ask your agent to review the bike’s parts list with you.
Will the other driver’s insurance pay for my gear?
If the other driver is found at fault, your gear is property damaged in the crash. Liability coverage is meant for damage to other people’s property [6]. Include each item in the claim with receipts and photos. The outcome depends on fault, that driver’s limits and your state’s rules.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Added parts and riding gear are often covered separately from the bike, with limits that can be far lower than what riders spend. Check your declarations page for the included amount, and ask whether claims are paid at replacement cost or actual cash value. Keep receipts and photos of every upgrade and every piece of gear.
Rules differ by state and by company. They change. Before riding season, read your own policy, talk with your agent about raising limits, and contact your state insurance department if you have questions about a claim.
Sources and further reading
- 1Progressive. What is motorcycle accessory coverage? Updated September 7, 2023. Accessed October 2026. progressive.com/…/motorcycle-accessory-covera…
- 2Harley-Davidson Insurance. How to review your motorcycle insurance policy. April 13, 2026. insurance.harley-davidson.com/…/how-to-review-your-motorcyc…
- 3Foremost Insurance Group. Motorcycle insurance coverages. Accessed October 2026. foremost.com/insurance/motorcycle
- 4Insurance Information Institute. I.I.I. encourages motorcycle enthusiasts to get revved up with the proper insurance coverage (news release). December 8, 2016. prnewswire.com/…/iii-encourages-motorcycle-e…
- 5Progressive. Custom motorcycle insurance. Accessed October 2026. progressive.com/…/custom-motorcycle-insurance
- 6Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel. Automobile insurance: glossary and claim tips. Modified March 1, 2023. opic.texas.gov
- 7Progressive. Motorcycle insurance coverages. Accessed October 2026. progressive.com/…/motorcycle-coverages
- 8GEICO. Motorcycle insurance. Accessed October 2026. geico.com/motorcycle-insurance
- 9Foremost Insurance Group. Foremost Choice motorcycle brochure (form 9015148). January 2017. foremostagent.com/…/Foremost-Choice-Motorcycle-…
- 10State Farm. Motorcycle insurance. Accessed October 2026. statefarm.com/insurance/motorcycles.html
- 11National General. Motorcycle insurance: does it cover my gear? Accessed October 2026. nationalgeneral.com/…/does-motorcycle-insurance-c…
- 12Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Claim smart (Consumer Counselor FIS-PUB 6120). November 2019. michigan.gov/…/cis_ofis_naic_claim_smart_2…
- 13Texas Department of Insurance. File an insurance claim. January 31, 2025. tdi.texas.gov/…/file-an-insurance-claim.html
- 14Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel. Information on first party auto claims. Modified March 1, 2023. opic.texas.gov/…/first-party-claims
This article reflects the safety priorities of motorcycle safety and crash recovery education. It is general education about how motorcycle coverage for parts and gear often works, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Coverage names, limits and claim rules vary by state and by insurer and change over time. Check with your state insurance department and read your own policy and declarations page. Reviewed October 2026.
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