Motorbike Insurance Comparison

In the UK, there are three main types of motorbike insurance cover. They are:

1. Third-Party Only (TPO): This is the minimum level of cover required by law in the UK. It covers damage to other vehicles and compensation for other people in an accident that you cause. It does not cover any damage to your own motorbike or any personal injuries you might sustain.
2. Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT): This type of cover includes everything in Third Party Only insurance and also covers your motorbike if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.
3. Comprehensive: This is the highest level of cover. It includes third-party, fire, and theft and also covers damage to your own motorbike and personal injuries, even if an accident is your fault. Many comprehensive policies come with additional benefits, such as legal expenses cover, personal accident cover, windscreen cover, and cover for your helmet and leathers.

When choosing the type of cover that’s right for you, you should consider factors such as the value of your motorbike, your budget for insurance, and your tolerance for risk. Always compare policies from different insurance providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Remember, the cheapest policy isn’t always the best option – it’s important to make sure you’re adequately covered for your specific needs.

It is a legal requirement to hold the minimum level of cover for motorcyclists, which is Third Party Only insurance policy. However, the type of motorcycle insurance that’s best for you will depend on your specific circumstances, including the value of your motorbike, how you use it, your budget for insurance, and your tolerance for risk. Here’s a closer look at the three main types of insurance you can consider:

1. Third-Party Only (TPO): This is the minimum required by law. It covers the cost of compensating other people for injury or damage you cause. However, it does not cover any injuries you may suffer or any damage to your bike.
2. Third Party, Fire, and Theft (TPFT): This includes third-party coverage but also provides protection if your bike is stolen or damaged by fire.
3. Fully Comprehensive: This offers the highest level of cover. It includes all of the above and will also pay out for damage to your own motorcycle, even if the accident was your fault. Comprehensive policies often include other benefits as well, such as legal expense insurance, personal accident cover, or even coverage for your helmet and leathers.

In deciding which kind of insurance to get, consider the following:

• Your bike’s value: If your bike is expensive or you couldn’t afford to replace it in case of significant damage, a fully comprehensive cover might be a good idea.
• Your risk of theft or fire: If you live in an area with a high risk of bike theft or you don’t have a secure place to store your bike, you might want to consider at least TPFT cover.
• Your risk tolerance: Some people prefer to have the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive cover, knowing that they will be protected in almost any scenario.

You can employ several strategies to get cheaper motorbike insurance in the UK. Here are some tips:

1. Increase Your Excess: Agreeing to pay a higher excess (the amount you pay towards a claim before your insurance kicks in) can reduce your premium. However, make sure the excess is still affordable, as you’ll need to pay it if you make a claim.
2. Improve Your Bike’s Security: Installing additional security features such as an alarm, immobiliser, or tracker can deter thieves and therefore reduce your risk in the eyes of insurers. Parking your bike in a secure location, like a locked garage, can also help lower your premiums.
3. Take a Motorbike Training Course: In the UK, taking a recognized advanced riding course, such as the ones offered by the Institute of Advanced Motorists or RoSPA, can help lower your premiums as it proves you are a safer rider.
4. Limit Your Mileage: If you can limit the amount of riding you do, you might be able to get a lower premium. Insurers often offer lower rates for lower annual mileage, as less time on the road means less risk of an accident.
5. Choose Your Bike Carefully: Riding a bike with a smaller engine size will typically result in lower insurance costs. High-performance or expensive bikes are usually more costly to insure.
6. No Claims Bonus: If you’ve had insurance before and haven’t made a claim, this can count in your favour and reduce your premium. A long history of no claims can result in significant discounts.
7. Pay Annually: If you can afford it, paying for your insurance upfront for the year rather than monthly can save you money. Many insurers charge interest for the convenience of spreading the cost.
8. Shop Around: Always compare quotes from different insurance providers. Prices can vary significantly between insurers for the same level of cover.
9. Only Include Necessary Extras: Some policies include extras like breakdown cover, legal expenses insurance, and helmet and leather cover. Opting for a more basic policy can save you money if you don’t need these.

There are a vast number of motorbike brands and models available in the UK, catering to a range of tastes, needs, and budgets. Here’s a list of some popular brands, each of which produces several different models:

1. Honda: Known for their reliability and quality, Honda produces a wide variety of bikes. These range from small commuter bikes like the Honda CBR125R to powerful sport bikes such as the Honda Fireblade, as well as touring bikes like the Honda Gold Wing.
2. Yamaha: This brand also offers a wide range, from the popular beginner’s bike, the Yamaha YZF-R125, to high-performance sports bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R1.
3. Suzuki: Suzuki’s range includes the sporty Suzuki GSX-R series and the popular Suzuki Hayabusa, among others.
4. Kawasaki: Known for their sports bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja series, they also produce a range of other styles, including cruisers and off-road bikes.
5. BMW: BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of BMW, is known for its high-quality sport bikes, touring bikes, and enduro bikes. Models include the BMW S1000RR sport bike and the BMW R1250GS adventure bike.
6. Ducati: This Italian brand is famous for its sporty and high-performance bikes, such as the Ducati Panigale V4. They also produce a range of naked bikes and cruisers.
7. Triumph: A British brand known for its classic and retro-styled bikes, like the Triumph Bonneville, as well as sport and adventure bikes.
8. Harley-Davidson: The iconic American brand is popular worldwide for its range of cruisers and touring bikes.
9. KTM: An Austrian brand best known for its off-road bikes, though they also produce sport bikes like the KTM RC series.
10. Aprilia: An Italian manufacturer known for sport bikes and street bikes, such as the Aprilia RSV4 and the Aprilia Tuono.
11. Royal Enfield: Known for their classic-styled bikes, like the Royal Enfield Classic 500 and the Royal Enfield Bullet.

This list is not exhaustive, as there are many other brands available in the UK, including Moto Guzzi, Indian, Husqvarna, MV Agusta, BSA, and Norton. Each of these manufacturers produces a variety of models catering to different riding styles and preferences.

The specific engine size, model, and insurance group of a motorbike can greatly influence the cost of insurance. However, creating a full list of different motorbikes, engine sizes, and insurance groups available in the UK would be a huge task as there are hundreds of models, each with different variants and insurance groups. Here, instead, is a general overview of how these elements interplay:

Motorcycles in the UK are grouped into insurance groups, which are essentially risk categories that insurers use to calculate premiums. These groups can range from 1 to 17 (or sometimes even higher), with group 1 being the lowest risk (and hence the cheapest to insure) and group 17 being the highest risk (and therefore the most expensive).

Factors influencing these groups include the bike’s power (engine size), its value, its performance (top speed, acceleration), how expensive it is to repair, and how desirable it is to thieves.

For example:

1. Small Capacity Bikes (up to 125cc): These bikes are typically in the lower insurance groups. Examples include the Honda CBR125 (Group 6), Yamaha YZF-R125 (Group 10), and the KTM Duke 125 (Group 7).

2. Mid-range Bikes (up to 600cc): These can vary more significantly depending on their style and performance. For instance, a Honda CB500 (Group 9) will be cheaper to insure than a Yamaha YZF-R6 (Group 15), due to the R6’s greater performance.

3. Large Capacity Bikes (over 600cc): These bikes are usually in higher insurance groups due to their power and value. Examples include the BMW R1200GS (Group 14) and the Ducati Panigale V4 (Group 17).

4. Cruisers and Touring Bikes: These can be less expensive to insure than sport bikes with similar engine sizes due to their less aggressive performance. A Harley-Davidson Street Glide (Group 13) might be cheaper to insure than a Suzuki GSX-R1000 (Group 17), even though both have large engines.

Remember, this is just a general guideline. Other factors, such as your age, experience, location, and the security of where the bike is stored, can also significantly affect your insurance premium. Also, specific insurance groups can vary between different insurance companies.

There are numerous mopeds and scooters available in the UK from a variety of manufacturers. They are popular choices for urban travel due to their small size, fuel efficiency, and typically lower insurance costs. Mopeds and scooters usually have engine sizes ranging from 50cc to 125cc.

Here is a list of some popular brands and models:

50cc Scooters:

1. Piaggio Zip 50
2. Yamaha Aerox R
3. Aprilia SR 50 R
4. Peugeot Speedfight 4
5. Honda Vision 50
6. Vespa Primavera 50
7. Kymco Super 8 50
8. SYM Jet 4 50
9. Direct Bikes 50cc Sports Scooter
10. Lexmoto Echo 50

125cc Scooters:

1. Honda PCX125
2. Yamaha NMAX 125
3. Vespa GTS 125
4. Piaggio Vespa Primavera 125
5. Suzuki Address 110
6. Lexmoto Titan 125
7. Aprilia SR Max 125
8. Kymco Agility City 125
9. Peugeot Tweet 125
10. SYM Joymax Z+ 125

Remember, for those aged 16 in the UK, a 50cc scooter or moped is the largest capacity you can ride with a provisional licence and a CBT certificate. Once you turn 17, you can ride a 125cc scooter or motorbike with a CBT, but you must display L plates and you cannot take a pillion passenger or use motorways. To remove these restrictions, you’ll need to pass your full motorcycle test.

This list isn’t exhaustive and there are many other options available. When selecting a moped or scooter, you should consider factors such as price, fuel efficiency, comfort, and reliability, along with the costs of insurance, tax, and maintenance.

In the UK, the type of licence you’ll need to ride a moped or motorbike depends on your age and the size of the bike. Here’s a basic breakdown:

1. AM Licence: This licence allows you to ride mopeds of 50cc or less, which have a top speed of 28mph. You must be at least 16 to get this licence. The process involves passing a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), a theory test, and a two-part practical test. If you pass your car driving test before 1st February 2001, you can ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates and without taking the moped test or CBT.
2. A1 Licence: This is the light motorcycle licence for bikes up to 125cc and a power output of up to 11 kW. The minimum age for this licence is 17. It also requires the CBT, theory test, and two-part practical test.
3. A2 Licence: This licence allows you to ride bikes that produce up to 35 kW or a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW/kg. The bike also can’t be derived from a vehicle more than twice its power. You must be at least 19 and either have two years experience on an A1 bike or pass the CBT, theory test, and two-part practical.
4. A Licence: This is the unrestricted licence for any motorbike, regardless of its power. You must be at least 24 or have held an A2 licence for two years, then pass a CBT, theory test, and the practical test on a bike of at least 595cc and 50 kW.

Remember, even if you pass the CBT at the age of 16, you can only ride a moped of 50cc or less until you are 17. At 17, you can ride a 125cc bike with L plates until you pass your full motorcycle test. The CBT certificate lasts for two years, after which you will need to either renew your CBT or upgrade to a full licence.

Whether you can ride another motorbike on your insurance largely depends on the specifics of your policy.

Some policies may offer a “Riding Other Bikes” (ROB) clause, which would allow you to ride motorcycles owned by others on a third-party only basis. This means you’d be covered for damage you cause to other vehicles or property or injuries to other people if you have an accident while riding a bike you don’t own. However, it wouldn’t cover damage to the bike you’re riding.

It’s important to note several things about the ROB clause:

• It’s generally only available on comprehensive policies.
• It usually only applies if you’re over 25, but some insurers may have different age restrictions.
• It only covers you to ride other bikes with the owner’s permission.
• It won’t cover you to ride other bikes regularly or for business purposes.
• It does not cover damage to the borrowed bike.

Even if you believe your policy includes a ROB clause, you should check with your insurer before riding another bike to ensure you’re covered. Additionally, some policies may offer options to add cover for a specific second bike, which can generally increase your premium.

Please remember always to read your policy documents carefully or speak to your insurer if you’re unsure about what is and isn’t covered by your insurance.

Whether you carry passengers on your motorbike, often called pillion passengers, depends on your licence and insurance policy. First, you must have a full motorcycle licence to carry a passenger. Provisional licence holders or those who’ve only completed Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) cannot carry passengers. Regarding insurance, most policies cover carrying passengers as standard. However, confirming this in your policy’s terms and conditions is critical, as some policies might require you to add a pillion cover as an extra. If you carry a passenger without the correct licence or insurance, you could face penalties, including fines and points on your licence, and your insurance could be invalidated. Always ensure the passenger wears appropriate safety gear and that your bike is equipped for passengers, with proper footrests and a suitable seat.

ABI –  Association of British Insurers – The Association of British Insurers is the leading trade association for insurers and providers of long term savings. … need to contact their insurer for a Green Card which they will need to carry on them if they wish to drive their vehicle in the EU.

BIBA – British Insurance Brokers’ Association – The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is the UK ‘s leading general insurance organisation.

BMF – The British Motorcyclists Federation is a very well respected and powerful lobbying group. It protects all of the UK’s motorcyclists from unnecessary interference by European, National, Local Government and anti-motorcycling campaign groups. The BMF is a member of many government advisory groups and also works in Europe to help British motorcyclists.

The BMF is also a fantastic community. Made up of individual members and motorcycle clubs, it provides support, advice and organises excellent events throughout the UK.