A Guide To Motorbike Insurance

Posted on 27 October 2011

Whether you drive a scooter or a superbike, it’s important to know that you’re getting the best insurance deal, especially with the cost of living increasing and Christmas around the corner. If your policy is up for renewal, this is the perfect time to compare motorbike insurance premiums and see if you could save some cash.

Choosing an insurance policy for your bike may seem like a laborious task and you may be tempted to take the easy option and renew your existing policy or simply go with the first offer, but spending just a few minutes doing some research could potentially save you a lot of money.

How to buy motorbike insurance

Buying insurance has never been simpler thanks to the Internet, but there are so many providers and policies out there that making the final decision may be difficult. It is advisable to shop around and compare prices and policies before you buy; you can use online comparison websites, which bring up premiums from hundreds of different companies or contact providers directly for quotes. Make sure you have the relevant information about your bike, enter your search criteria, then sit back and see what comes up.

Which policy do I need?

There are hundreds of different policies available from a host of insurance companies, so how do you choose which one best suits your needs? Firstly, you need to determine the kind of policy you want; most companies offer varying levels of cover, including third party, fire and theft and fully comprehensive.

Third party insurance is the cheapest option, but it offers the most basic level of protection.
Third party, fire and theft is a popular option for people with lower value bikes, as the premiums are more affordable than comprehensive cover, and the level of protection is greater than third party insurance.
If you own an expensive bike, you should consider fully comprehensive cover; the premium is more expensive but the policy covers all eventualities.

Many providers offer policies that are tailored to the size, type and model of bike and there are also specific policies available for different varieties of bike. Make sure your policy corresponds to the type of bike you have; as a general rule, the more powerful the bike, the more expensive the premium.

Look out for the small print on your policy details; some plans have security restrictions and mileage limits. You must also inform your provider if you make any modifications to your bike.

Tips for saving money

Once you have compared prices for providers, you could save yourself even more money by keeping your bike in a garage and securing it with an alarm and an immobiliser. Your premium will also be cheaper if you take an advanced driving course. If you own more than one bike, insuring all your vehicles with the same company will usually lower your premiums.

Insurance is a legal requirement, but it does not have to cost the Earth; shopping around for good deals and securing your bike could potentially save you a huge amount of money, which will come in handy during the festive period.