UK Motorbike Insurance and how to get the best out of it

Useful links:

Highly recommended:

Bennets
for simple and affordable insurance

TescoCompare
For the best comparison site

The Bike Insurer
For the bikers choice

The Bike Team
Motorcycle insurance specialists

ebikeinsurance
Online bike insurance

What to look out for

Motorbike insurance in the UK can be less complicated than cover for cars but here are some tips to get better value for money.

As with all insurances, there are some obvious things that can be done which should reduce the premium - and UK motorbike insurance is no exception.

Basic ways to reduce the premium

The major influence on premium is of course the power of the bike. Less powerful bikes will in general demand a much lower premium. This is not always clear cut as the style and type of bike will also have an effect as it may reflect the type of person who will ride the bike. Insurance is of course based on risk. The second biggest influence is the ease of which motorbikes can be stolen, possibly by simply being lifted into a van, therefore the companies do require that bikes be locked in garages at night. A garaged bike will not only be cheaper but some companies will not cover the bike for theft if not locked away.

Check the level of insurance cover

Depending on how the motorbike is used, it may be better to pay a little more to get the cover required. It is good to check the requirements for cover for driving abroad, the policy excess, whether the no claims bonus is protected.

Motorbikes that have been modified

Any modifications to the bike must be disclosed but they do not always increase the premium. They will usually only affect the premium if they significantly affect the performance but otherwise it may not have any effect. It is certainly not a good idea to hide modifications as they could make the policy void and leave the owner with no cover at all.

Inclusive legal cover

Many policies include free legal cover and this is an excellent bonus that will be extremely useful if and when it is required. It seems that many companies are open for negotiation on the inclusion and cost of this facility and so it is worth asking for.

The effect of the voluntary excess

As with other insurance policies, increasing your voluntary excess can decrease your premium. This is not always the case, however, and so it is always worth asking the cost if the excess is decreased.

Cover for riding other bikes

Motorbikes, unlike cars, are generally more flexible when it comes to riding vehicles that are owned by someone else. There is often an extension available to provide third-party cover. There is also a lower cover which is the legal minimum called 'Road Traffic Act cover although this is rarely issued now. With the standard extension then motorbikes that are insured by their owner can be ridden although the small print will describe the many exemptions which must be considered carefully.
many people think that this is available automatically on all insurances but this is not the case. It is important to check before riding a bike that is not personally owned.

Pay for the insurance upfront if possible

Payment by direct debit will usually have a penalty and so should be avioded if possible. Motorbike insurance is usually relatively inexpensive and so to pay as little as possible then it is worth making a full payment if it can be arranged.

Check around for the best value every year

It is unusual for the company to provide the best value for money to its existing customers and so it is always prudent to get competitive quotes before every renewal.

Check for No Claims Discount and NCD Protection

After many years without accidents it is good to build up a no-claims discount. The rates vary across policies and so these should be compared when looking at different types of cover. What also differs between insurance companies is the ability to protect this discount should damage occur or the motorbike is stolen. A small fee could be well worth paying to ensure that the overall discount is not lost.

Discount for the Female Rider

Again, insurance is based on risk and when the insurance companies calculate risk they determine that female riders are less likely to be involved in an accident and so less likely to claim. Many companies provide quite high discounts for female motorbike owners.

Motorbike insurance in the UK can be obtained at very good rates but cheapest is not always the best. As with everything we buy, it pays to shop around and to always check the small print.

No Claims Discount (NCD) Protection

As a safe rider with over one year's no claims bonus under your belt, you can now protect this should you be involved in an accident or have your bike stolen. NCD protection is only available with certain insurers, you can choose this as an option at quote stage.

Female Rider Discount
As a female biker, you may be entitled to a discount off you insurance. We know that female riders are less likely to be involved in an accident and therefore less likely to make a claim. Therefore Bennetts are pleased to offer a discount of up to 30% off insurance for female riders!

UK Motorbike Insurance and how to get the best out of it

"The site to come to for information

on motorbike insurance in the UK"

What to look out for

Useful links: Highly recommended: Bennets for simple and affordable insurance TescoCompare For the best comparison site The Bike Insurer For the bikers choice The Bike Team Motorcycle insurance specialists ebikeinsurance Online bike insurance	What to look out for Motorbike insurance in the UK can be less complicated than cover for cars but here are some tips to get better value for money. As with all insurances, there are some obvious things that can be done which should reduce the premium - and UK motorbike insurance is no exception. Basic ways to reduce the premium The major influence on premium is of course the power of the bike. Less powerful bikes will in general demand a much lower premium. This is not always clear cut as the style and type of bike will also have an effect as it may reflect the type of person who will ride the bike. Insurance is of course based on risk. The second biggest influence is the ease of which motorbikes can be stolen, possibly by simply being lifted into a van, therefore the companies do require that bikes be locked in garages at night. A garaged bike will not only be cheaper but some companies will not cover the bike for theft if not locked away. Check the level of insurance cover Depending on how the motorbike is used, it may be better to pay a little more to get the cover required. It is good to check the requirements for cover for driving abroad, the policy excess, whether the no claims bonus is protected. Motorbikes that have been modified Any modifications to the bike must be disclosed but they do not always increase the premium. They will usually only affect the premium if they significantly affect the performance but otherwise it may not have any effect. It is certainly not a good idea to hide modifications as they could make the policy void and leave the owner with no cover at all. Inclusive legal cover Many policies include free legal cover and this is an excellent bonus that will be extremely useful if and when it is required. It seems that many companies are open for negotiation on the inclusion and cost of this facility and so it is worth asking for. The effect of the voluntary excess As with other insurance policies, increasing your voluntary excess can decrease your premium. This is not always the case, however, and so it is always worth asking the cost if the excess is decreased. Cover for riding other bikes Motorbikes, unlike cars, are generally more flexible when it comes to riding vehicles that are owned by someone else. There is often an extension available to provide third-party cover. There is also a lower cover which is the legal minimum called 'Road Traffic Act cover although this is rarely issued now. With the standard extension then motorbikes that are insured by their owner can be ridden although the small print will describe the many exemptions which must be considered carefully. many people think that this is available automatically on all insurances but this is not the case. It is important to check before riding a bike that is not personally owned. Pay for the insurance upfront if possible Payment by direct debit will usually have a penalty and so should be avioded if possible. Motorbike insurance is usually relatively inexpensive and so to pay as little as possible then it is worth making a full payment if it can be arranged. Check around for the best value every year It is unusual for the company to provide the best value for money to its existing customers and so it is always prudent to get competitive quotes before every renewal. Check for No Claims Discount and NCD Protection After many years without accidents it is good to build up a no-claims discount. The rates vary across policies and so these should be compared when looking at different types of cover. What also differs between insurance companies is the ability to protect this discount should damage occur or the motorbike is stolen. A small fee could be well worth paying to ensure that the overall discount is not lost. Discount for the Female Rider Again, insurance is based on risk and when the insurance companies calculate risk they determine that female riders are less likely to be involved in an accident and so less likely to claim. Many companies provide quite high discounts for female motorbike owners. Motorbike insurance in the UK can be obtained at very good rates but cheapest is not always the best. As with everything we buy, it pays to shop around and to always check the small print.
	No Claims Discount (NCD) Protection As a safe rider with over one year's no claims bonus under your belt, you can now protect this should you be involved in an accident or have your bike stolen. NCD protection is only available with certain insurers, you can choose this as an option at quote stage. Female Rider Discount As a female biker, you may be entitled to a discount off you insurance. We know that female riders are less likely to be involved in an accident and therefore less likely to make a claim. Therefore Bennetts are pleased to offer a discount of up to 30% off insurance for female riders!