It's the Law

Know your rights & responsibilities as a Snyder's Riders Member.


Pennsylvania Helmet Laws

While Snyder's Riders recommends you always wear a helmet for the sake of yourself and your loved ones, it's important to know the laws. The Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law can be a little complex if you're not familiar with it.

Over 21?

  • Licensed Motorcycle Operator: You must wear a helmet UNLESS you have completed a motorcycle rider safety course approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, OR you have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for over two years.
  • Motorcycle Operator with a Permit: You are required to wear a helmet.
  • Passenger: You are permitted to ride without a helmet UNLESS the operator is required to wear one.

Under 21?

  • All operators and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet.

Remember, all operators and passengers must wear eye protection approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Road Trip?

Make sure you're aware of the helmet laws in the states you're headed to or even just passing through.

Motorcycle Insurance


Required Pennsylvania Motorcycle Coverage

In Pennsylvania, motorcyclists are required to carry at least two forms of insurance on their policies:

  • Bodily Injury Protection – This will cover injuries or death sustained in the accident.
  • Property Damage Protection – This covers damages to another person's property as the result of an accident.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Snyder's Riders also recommends you select Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for your policy.

Many drivers in Pennsylvania don't have adequate insurance policies to cover the cost of an accident, especially because it isn't required. Without UM/UIM coverage, you could be left with a hefty bill - even if the accident wasn't your fault. With UM/UIM coverage, you're protected against motorists who either drive without insurance or don't have adequate coverage on their policy.

Our Recommended PA Motorcycle Coverage

In the table below, we've listed Pennsylvania's state minimum requirements and our recommendations for what you should carry.

PA Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Options

Options

Minimum Required

Minimum Recommended

Bodily Injury Liability

$15,000 per person
$30,000 more than 1 person

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per occurrence

Property Damage Liability

$5,000

$25,000

Underinsured Motorist

Not Required

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per occurrence

Uninsured Motorist

Not Required

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per occurrence

Stacking of Limits for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists

Not Required

Choosing stacking is essential to maximizing your family's protection:
$100,000 x the number of vehicles in the household


Moving Out of Town?

Know what the required minimum insurance is for the state where you're going to be living.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Note: These are the most recent available statistics from Pennsylvania.

  • In 2014, there were 3,284 motorcycle accidents.
  • 186 of these accidents were fatal.
  • 173 deaths were drivers, while 13 were passengers.
  • 2,921 riders were injured.
  • Total motorcycle accidents decreased by 4.2% from 2013.
  • Fatal motorcyle accidents rose 5.1% from 2013.
  • Of those deaths, 53.2% of riders were not wearing a helemt.

Visit the Edgar Snyder Motorcycle Accident Center for more statistics.