• Minnesota laws are different for motorcycles and cars.Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  You may know that you must carry insurance for your motorcycle when you ride almost everywhere in the United States, but you may not know that the laws differ between autos and motorcycles in some states. In Minnesota, for example, the state treats cars and motorcycles differently regarding its mandatory no-fault medical coverage. Ride safely and legally in Minnesota by knowing how the insurance laws in that state affect you and your bike.
  
  

Minimum Liability Requirements

• You must purchase a motorcycle insurance policy that provides at least the minimum amount of liability protection required by law to ride in Minnesota. These limits are $30,000 per injured person in an accident with $60,000 maximum regardless of the number of injured people involved. The policy must also provide at least $10,000 for damage you cause to another person's property. You may optionally purchase higher limits or other coverages for additional premiums.
  
  

Personal Inury Protection

• Minnesota statute chapter 65B subdivision 5b states that all motorcycle applications for coverage that does not include personal injury protection must include a statement attached on a separate page advising you of Minnesota motorcycle insurance law regarding no-fault medical coverage. The statement must read: "Under Minnesota law, a policy of motorcycle coverage issued in the State of Minnesota must provide liability coverage only, and there is no requirement that the policy provide personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in the case of injury sustained by the insured. No PIP coverage provided by an automobile insurance policy you may have in force will extend to provide coverage in the event of a motorcycle accident."
  
  

Lawsuits

• Personal injury protection is designed to reduce the number of injury-related lawsuits drivers file against each other in the state. Therefore, Minnesota drivers are restricted in the types of damages they can seek in the court system. Motorcyclists are not forced to purchase the no-fault coverage but are still restricted from pursuing certain types of lawsuits. You can find a complete list of these restrictions in Minnesota statute chapter 65B.51. One example from this list states that you cannot sue for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering unless your damages exceed $4,000.