What is motorbike insurance?

What is motorbike insurance?

Whether you’re brand-new or a long-time, experienced motorbike rider, there’s nothing more important than staying safe while you’re on the road. Choosing the right motorbike insurance policy will give you peace of mind that you’re covered if anything unexpected happens. In this blog, we’ve covered what you need to know about motorbike insurance policies.

How much does motorbike insurance cost?

Motorbike insurance premiums can vary widely, often between £350 and £850. An experienced driver could get insured for less if they were driving a low powered bike like a moped, while a younger driver on a more powerful bike will pay a lot more.  

Some of the factors that influence your motorbike insurance premium are:

• Age and experience
• Bike type and engine size
• Level of cover
• Voluntary excess
• Annual mileage
• Occupation

A factor which affects cost is the group system. Somewhat similar to the insurance group system for cars, every motorbike belongs in a group rated 1-20, where the higher the group number, the more expensive the motorbike is to insure. Sports bikes tend to be in the highest groups, though there can be a lot of variances for things like trim level, so always be sure to check the insurance group when buying any bike as this will affect your premium.

What motorbike insurance do I need?

As with car insurance, motorbike insurance is available for third-party, third-party fire and theft (TPFT) and comprehensive cover. On UK roads, all riders must have at minimum, third-party insurance as a legal requirement.

Best bike insurance for new and young riders

Despite the fact that mopeds can be ridden by those as young as sixteen, these riders are often the most expensive to insure given the relative risk they carry. The cost of motorbike insurance generally goes down in price as the rider gets older and more experienced.

One increasingly popular option available to motorists that’s now on offer for motorbike riders is telematics insurance. In return for having a ‘black box’ installed that reports your riding habits to the insurer, you can get a lower premium.

Motorbike insurance with speeding points or convictions

As with car drivers, riders who have accrued speeding points or other driving convictions can find getting insured either difficult or expensive.

There are some motorbike insurance brokers who work with riders with less than perfect track records to help them find policies. An insurance broker can look at your specific circumstances and help you find an insurer who may be willing to cover you.

Insurance with European cover

Most insurance policies provide at least 30 days European cover as standard. If you’re planning a longer trip in the continent, a company which specialises in motorbike insurance abroad may be a better option. They can offer cover for longer trip cover, but it’s still important to shop around and check the terms and exclusions of the policies you’re considering.

Motorbike insurance reviews

Whether you’re a new rider just starting out with your first motorbike, or a pro with a growing collection of bikes, motorbike insurance should be one of the first things you buy.

Who is best to cover you isn’t always about cost, but also who will do the best job of protecting you and your bike. 

So whether you’re considering insurers like Bennetts, Bikesure, or Bell Insurance, always shop around, and read motorcycle insurance reviews on Smart Money People before you buy. They’re written by other riders so you’ll know what it’s really like to be a customer.

Once you’ve got a policy of your own, be sure to write your own motorbike insurance review to help other riders with their research.