We know that there can be a lot of terminology to get through when researching insurance, that’s why we’ve laid out some of the more common questions customers have before buying motorbike insurance.
What types of motorbike insurance are there?
As with car insurance there are three types of motorbike insurance.
Third Party Only
This cover will not insure your bike against any damage or any medical treatment that you might need. It will, however, compensate for injury and damage caused to other people and their property.
Third Party Fire and Theft
This policy offers the same coverage as a Third Party Only policy, but also includes protection for your bike against fire and theft.
Comprehensive / Fully Comprehensive
This includes all the benefits of Third Party Fire and Theft as well as accidental damage and personal injury treatment if the accident is deemed your fault.
How is the cost of my motorcycle insurance calculated?
Your personal circumstances and the bike you will be riding are taken into account when calculating your motorbike insurance. There are many factors that are taken into account before supplying you with a quote, such as:
Your Age
Younger motorcyclists are considered a greater risk than older riders which will affect your premium quote.
Your Occupation
Particular occupations demand higher insurance premiums than others. Entertainers, couriers, sportspeople and chefs often have higher motorbike insurance.
Your Address
Certain areas will carry greater risk, whether due to increased traffic flow leading to more accidents, or a higher chance of theft.
Claims History
If you have made a claim in the previous 5 years then you will be seen as a higher risk.
Driving Convictions
A previous motoring conviction can increase your motorcycle insurance quote.
If you fail to detail any driving convictions your insurance policy may be invalidated and you will not be able to make a claim if necessary.
Your Motorcycle
A more expensive motorcycle is often more desirable to thieves, which means it is a greater risk to insurers.
The higher power the motorcycle the more the risk too, as the more powerful a bike the more likely it is to be involved in an accident.
Mileage
The more time you spend on the road, the more likely it is you’ll be involved in an accident.
Use
Whether you use your bike socially or for commuting will have a bearing on your motorcycle insurance quote. This is linked to your mileage and the times that you are likely to use it.
Advanced Riding Courses
If you have passed an Advanced Riding Course it shows that you have invested in improving your riding skills.
Additional Riders
Including additional named drivers will have an impact on your motorcycle insurance quote. Their personal circumstances and driving history will also be taken into account.
How do I save on my motorcycle insurance?
Finding a cheap motorcycle insurance quote can be a struggle but it is doable.
Here are some simple tips that should save you some money.
- Consider a smaller or older motorcycle
- Avoid motorcycles with modifications that are made to enhance speed.
- Track your mileage as your estimate may not reflect the reality and it may be that you’re paying a higher premium than you need to. If your estimate is actually pretty accurate, limit your mileage. Your premium may decrease as you are likely to be seen as less of a risk because you won’t be on the road as much.
- Lock your motorcycle in a garage overnight – the harder your motorcycle is to steal, the more you can save on your motorbike insurance premium. Anti-theft measures such as ground anchors, immobilizers and bike locks can also help.
- Consider enhancing your skills on the road by taking an advanced rider qualification. This will consist of a theory test and an observed ride with a motorcycle instructor.
- Build up your no claims bonus. Riders who have a no claims bonus are usually rewarded.
- Do your research. Each insurance company differs in terms of what they offer and the premiums they charge. Shopping around is essential to understand what you can get for your money. Cornmarket Insurance Services Ltd. work with a range of reputable insurers across the United Kingdom, to find a motorcycle insurance policy that’s right for you, at the right price.
Does my motorbike insurance cover me to ride other bikes?
Your motorbike insurance may cover you to ride other bikes, it all depends on your broker and the policy you have.
If you have Comprehensive motorcycle insurance you may be covered to ride other bikes with Third Party Only cover – your policy wording will confirm whether or not this is the case for you.
If you have two or more bikes that you ride, multi-bike insurance will cover you to ride all of your motorbikes under one policy.
How do modifications affect motorbike insurance?
Whether or not motorbike modifications affect your premium depends on your insurer.
As a rule of thumb, you should always declare all modifications and tell your insurer of any changes to your motorbike.
An insurer is within their rights to refuse your claim if the situation is not what they agreed to insure. However, if you unknowingly give incorrect or incomplete information to your insurer, they will not be able to decline a claim on the grounds of non-disclosure.
Can I carry passengers with my motorbike insurance policy?
To carry passengers on your motorbike you will need pillion insurance cover.
Coverage of pillion passengers used to be standard on all policies, but it’s far more common for the insurance provider to not include this on your policy unless required.
Be sure to check your motorbike insurance policy wording to see whether or not you have the correct motorbike insurance in place to cover riding with a passenger.
Can I get add-ons to my motorbike insurance?
Motorbike insurers will often provide details of the optional extra coverage on offer when you go through to purchase your policy. Such as:
Legal Expenses Cover
This optional add-on provides aid in covering legal costs following an accident when the third party was deemed to be at fault.
Costs that can be reimbursed may include, medical costs, loss of earnings, recovering policy excess and injury compensation.
Breakdown Cover
This is a popular option to include to your motorbike insurance and may make sense to include it in a package. Although it is wise to research into whether or not purchasing breakdown cover separately would give you a more comprehensive breakdown cover policy for a better price.
Check out the motorbike breakdown cover offered by Start Rescue to see if it is an option that could help you.
Leathers and Helmet
All the costs included in riding a motorbike can add up to a lot. It’s not just the bike itself, the maintenance and insurance, you’ll also likely spend a large chunk of your hard-earned cash on protective clothing.
Additional cover to protect your leathers and helmet in the event of an accident may make sense to ensure you’re not out of pocket.
Before buying any optional extras for you motorbike insurance you should think about several things, such as:
- Do you really need the extra cover?
- Have you read the full terms and conditions?
- Can you get a better deal if you bought the cover separately?
Can I use my no-claims bonus from my car insurance policy?
Your no-claims bonus is non-transferable between different types of vehicles. So you can’t transfer your car’s no-claims bonus onto a motorbike’s policy.
Do I need motorbike insurance if my bike is SORN?
You do not need to insure your motorbike if it is registered as off the road (SORN).
You will only need motorbike insurance if you use it on roads and in public places.
What is the difference between voluntary and compulsory excess?
When you go through the process of purchasing motorbike insurance you will be shown two types of excess that need to be paid – compulsory and voluntary.
Compulsory excess
Compulsory excess is an amount set by the insurer that is needed to cover part of a claim. So if your claim is £1,000 and the compulsory excess is £100, you will need to pay that £100 and your insurer will pay out the remaining £900.
Voluntary excess
Voluntary excess is an amount that can be set by you, to a certain extent. For example, if your claim is £1,000, your compulsory excess is £100 and you’ve set your voluntary excess to be £100, you will need to pay a total of £200 with the insurer paying the remaining £800.
If you increase the amount of voluntary excess you are willing to pay, your motorbike insurance premium will likely lower. However, you have to be sure that you can pay the total excess charges if you end up having to make a claim.