Motorbike / Scooter Insurance

It is not only cars which must be insured on Britain's roads: every type of motor vehicle is legally required to have at least third party insurance before it is driven, including motorbikes and scooters. Luckily if you are a new rider you should have no more difficulty finding a good insurance deal than you would have done finding conventional car insurance. Most insurance providers offer details of their policies online which helps you to compare deals, but it is worth requesting estimates from a number of insurance providers to compare prices.

Motorbike and scooter insurance is available in three varieties, just like conventional car insurance: Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft and Fully Comprehensive cover. However, motorbike and scooter riders often insure themselves rather than their vehicle: meaning they would be insured to drive any motorbike or scooter (up to a particular size). This type of motorcycle insurance is referred to as 'Specified Rider', as opposed to 'Specified Bike' insurance.

In contrast to car insurance, third party fire and theft policies tend to be more popular due to the higher cost of comprehensive insurance, especially for younger riders. Motorcycles also depreciate quickly, and it may not be worth paying for comprehensive insurance when any potential pay-out, as a result of damage to your motorcycle, will usually be less than the extra cost of the cover.

The factors which affect your motorcycle insurance premium are similar to those which dictate the cost of conventional car insurance, including: your age, driving history and any convictions as well as the type of bike you drive, and how secure it is. Additional factors may also be considered, such as whether or not you carry passengers or use the bike for professional reasons.

Just as with car insurance the easiest way to keep premiums down include: taking advantage of a No Claims Discount (NCD); comparing offers from a range of providers; taking an advanced training/driving course; securing your bike in a garage overnight and/or fitting alarms or immobilisers; increasing your excess and not driving your vehicle outside the UK. The No Claims Discount that you receive on your motorcycle insurance tends not to be as high as with car insurance, nor can you usually transfer your NCD to another insurer. However, if your bike insurance provider offers an NCD scheme you may be entitled to a discount of up to fifty percent if you have ridden claim-free with the same insurer for a number of years.

If you are unfamiliar with the process of choosing the best motorbike insurance, using the services of a specialised motorcycle insurance broker can help you to find the right policy. Be aware however that some brokers may only compare policies from a limited range of insurers from whom they earn a commission. Nevertheless, taking the advice of a broker who only deals with specialised motorcycle or scooter insurers could still save you money. A specialist motorbike or scooter insurer will know the differences between your bike and another, and they typically offer extra benefits such as a motorbike or scooter repair service, 'multi-bike' insurance, or legal cover.