Motorcycle: Insurance

There are three types of motorbike insurance which offer different levels of coverage: Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft and Third Party Only.

Comprehensive or Fully Comp covers you if you damage your motorbike in an accident. Your insurance will cover the costs to repair your motorbike or pay you the bike's market value if the repair is more expensive than the bike's worth. You're also covered if your bike is damaged by vandalism or fire, or if it is stolen, and for injury to people you've hurt in an accident or damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property. General wear and tear and breakdowns are not covered.

Third Party, Fire and Theft covers you if your motorbike is damaged by fire or if it is stolen or damaged when somebody has attempted to steal it. If you damage your motorbike in an accident, you will have to cover the costs of repairs or replacing the bike or claim it back from the 3rd party. You are also covered for medical expenses for people you've hurt in an accident or damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property. When deciding between Comprehensive and Third Party, Fire and Theft, you should take into consideration the value of your motorbike and the cost of Comprehensive cover.

Third Party is the minimum legal requirement for any motorbike rider to take out. It is the most basic type of insurance and the cheapest cover available. Third Party covers you for injuries to people you've hurt in an accident or damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property. Your own medical expenses and damage to your motorbike are not covered.

Usage

This covers use of your motorbike for non-work activities such as visiting friends and family, shopping, day trips and holidays.

Commuting between your home and permanent place of work or any other place of work is excluded.

This covers use of your motorbike for your daily commute between home and your permanent place of work as well as non-work activities. You are not covered if you use your motorbike as part of your work and to travel to and from other offices.

Use of your motorbike for non-work activities, your daily commute between home and your permanent place of work and for use in connection with your business or profession, excluding commercial travelling or the carriage of goods or samples in connection with any trade or business.

Please note that none of the above classes of use include commercial travelling, use for hiring or letting, the carriage of passengers or goods for hire, racing or use in any contest or speed trail or use for any purpose in connection with the motor trade.

Security

There are many ways in which you can make your bike more secure and prevent it from being stolen. This not only makes it more difficult for the thieves, but could help to reduce the cost of insuring your bike and protect your No Claims Bonus. You’ll need to check with each individual insurer for any discounts they offer for specific security products.

Good motorbike security pays for itself so you may wish to consider the following precautions. It is also important make sure your security systems are approved by your insurance provider and installed by approved garages and installers. The Vehicle Security Installation Board lists fully accredited installation companies.

Marking or tagging parts of your motorbike with an ultra violet pen could reduce your insurance premiums and make it easier to identify your bike if it is stolen and can help the police to successfully prosecute. Secure markings and tagging systems include: Alpha Dot, Alpha Dot Security System, Datatag, Smartwater and Smartwater Instant. You’ll need to check with your specific insurer to find out which types are approved by them.

It’s a good idea to fit your bike with an alarm and electronic and mechanical immobilisers. Most alarms come with a choice of sirens making it easier for you to identify your alarm when it is triggered. It's often the case that you're not around to hear when your alarm is activated, so you may want to consider a paging alarm which alerts you when it goes off. Talking alarms are also a good alternative to sirens, as the human voice is more effective in scaring off thieves.

Always go for the best quality chains and locks that you can afford. The better the lock the more chance you have of deterring thieves and preventing thefts, and it will last you a lifetime. Disk locks will deter the casual thief but are easy prey for the professional. U-locks are more difficult to break, but not as easy to secure to an immovable anchor. The most common way of stealing motorbikes is by lifting them into the back of a van, so it's important that you always try to chain your bike to something solid.

Where you leave your motorbike overnight can reduce the cost of your insurance policy. The three categories are Locked Garage, Driveway or Road.

Locked Garage

A locked garage is the safest place to store your bike, but make sure your garage is secure. If it's easy for thieves to enter then they can work on your bike's security devices without being seen. Additional good quality locks and an alarm system for your garage are worth considering. It is also a good idea to install a ground or wall anchor in your garage in a position where it's difficult for a thief to get at it with a sledge hammer.

Road

If you have no other options but to park your bike overnight in the street then it will have an effect on the cost of your insurance policy. Motorbikes are more likely to be stolen or damaged when they are parked out in the open.

No Claims Bonus

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) is the discount given for every year you've had your motorbike insured and not made a claim. The longer you've had your NCB the bigger the discount on your insurance. Some insurance providers allow you to protect your NCB for an additional premium. This allows you to make claims within a set time without losing your discount. The best way to protect and build up your NCB is to drive safely and to carry out regular motorbike checks and maintenance. The safer you are, the less you'll claim on your insurance. Safe and legal riding will help you to avoid convictions which can also increase the cost of the your insurance.

A motorbike rider who hasn't had any insurance claims for six years may be entitled to as much as 60% off their premium. This can amount to hundreds of pounds per year which is important to consider when claiming for a small amount.

One way to improve your road safety is to take an advanced riding course. Some insurance providers offer reductions to those who have passed approved courses. Advanced courses available include:

Breakdown coverage

Even with a well maintained and reliable motorbike things can go wrong. In the event of you getting a puncture, a flat battery or running out of fuel, it's a good idea to have breakdown coverage. Some insurance providers include this as part of the policy as an extra incentive. It is important to check out the level of service offered: what company is it with and what are their average response times? If your bike cannot be fixed, will it be taken to the nearest garage and are you covered for labour and parts? Will you be taken home or to a destination of your choice?

Overseas coverage

If you're planning to ride your bike overseas you must make sure that you are covered. Some insurance policies include overseas insurance cover but others don't. Some policies are for a limited number of days and some comprehensive policies revert to Third Party when the bike is taken abroad. Check out the overseas coverage offered and find out if you can increase the level of insurance. If travelling overseas, it is important to have all the required and valid registration and travel documents, such as passport, driving license, MOT and road tax.

Insurance – keep your costs down

Insuring your motorcycle or scooter can seem expensive, especially if you’re a new rider or coming back to two wheels after a long break. Here are our top tips for keeping those premiums low:

1. Start with a smaller bike or scooter. Insurance companies prefer to see a novice on something less powerful while they make their beginners’ mistakes.

2. Go for a low insurance group. Lower numbers in the insurance group ladder generally do mean smaller engines, but shopping around can find you a model that will handle motorways in insurance group 10 or under.

3. Accept a higher voluntary excess. If you do have to claim, it will cost you more, but it does keep premiums down.

4. Get a good lock, an alarm or an immobiliser that’s either fitted by the manufacturer or approved by Thatcham or an equivalent body. And use it!

5. Keep your motorbike or scooter parked off road at night, preferably inside a garage. Even putting it in the front garden will save you money.

6. Consider taking extra training. The reduction in your premium might cover the cost, and you’ll feel more confident and get more out of your riding.

7. If you only plan to ride a few hundred miles each year, tell your insurers so when getting quotes. And if it’s only for social and commuting to work or college, make sure they know that too.

8. Refrain from modifying your motorcycle with high-performance parts. Too many improvements and your premiums may go up.

9. Build your no-claims bonus. After a few years, that could knock 70% off your premiums.