Motorbikes Insurance

Looking for the best deal on motorbike insurance? It pays to shop around! You can get quotes quickly and easily online from specialist motorbike insurance brokers and also direct from some insurers, along with the option of arranging cover either instantly or to start on a set future date.

Quotes and cover are readily available online for motorcylists of all ages and abilities, from experienced bikers to younger and/or first time riders.

All popular motorcycle and scooter models and manufacturer brands are catered for including Aprilia, BMW, Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph, Suzuki and Yamaha. Similarly, cover is available for the full range of engine sizes, including classic and performance bikes, 125cc models and scooters with engines below 50cc.

Tips for saving on motorbike insurance

Whether you're shopping around ahead of your renewal date, still deciding which motorcycle to buy or have just bought a new bike and are raring to get out on the road, these tips could help you to keep the cost of your cover down.

Increase your voluntary excess Choose in advance to pay a higher sum out of your own pocket in the event that you have to make a claim - in return, you should get a lower premium. Choose a scooter Owners of scooters with engines below 50cc usually qualify for significantly lower cost insurance. Use a security device Make your motorcycle less attractive to thieves by adding additional security in the form of an approved device - you may qualify for a discount. Age-related discounts Younger riders tend to be regarded as higher risk. Older riders may qualify for reduced prices. If you're young, try keeping the engine size down!

Choose an older bike Older bikes are cheaper to insure than brand new ones - extra discounts may apply for motorbikes that are a few years old. Say no to unnecessary extras Make sure you haven't included optional extras in your cover that you don't need - it all adds to the cost. Limit your mileage Agreeing to keep below a certain annual mileage may entitle you to an extra discount, as less time on the road means less risk for the insurer. Lady bikers bonus Some insurers and brokers offer extra discounts for female riders, who they regard as being less likely to have accidents.

It's also vital to check, when you receive your quote - and later, your policy documents - that your information and cover is fully correct. Failure to disclose information, whether intentionally or accidentally, can lead to an insurer refusing to pay your claim. Conveniently forgetting to disclose, say, a previous claim, could end up costing you more than you could ever imagine.

Motorbike insurance brokers vs insurers

Whilst the experience of buying motorbike cover doesn't differ much whether you buy from an insurer or a broker, there are some key differences between them that are worth keeping in mind - see below.

Brokers

Motorbike insurance brokers offer policies from one or more insurers (eg AXA Insurance). They usually handle all aspects of the customer relationship including providing quotes, issuing policy documents, arranging for any changes during the term of the policy and managing any claims. An insurance company actually provides your cover, bearing the financial risk of insuring your bike.

Just like in other specialist sectors, motorbike insurance brokers often work with insurers to design new policy features and benefits, which may be made available exclusively to their customers.

Brokers must be authorised by the Financial Services Authority, which requires them to tell you various facts about their services including:

- if an insurance company owns a significant part of them, or vice versa.
- whether they offer policies from just one, a limited number or a wide range of insurance companies.
- whether they offer advice and a recommendation based on an assessment of your needs vs offering information on products for you to choose from.
- whether you will have to pay a fee for using their service.

A broker's quote will include a summary of their service and of the motorbike insurance policy that they are offering, often presented in a separate document that features the FSA's distinctive keyfacts logo.

Motorcycle insurers

Some insurers also offer motorbike insurance on a direct basis, including providing quotes and immediate cover online, through their own websites.

Although buying direct from an insurer cuts out the middleman, it doesn't necessarily mean a lower premium. Even if you get both broker-based and direct quotes for motorbike cover from the same insurer, the premiums and details of the cover being offered could be very different.

eBike Insurance (link provided above) was the first direct bike insurer to offer a fully online service not just for obtaining a quote, but also for buying and managing your cover. This includes facilities for making adjustments like adding new riders, new bikes you may have bought, etc, during the term of a policy.

Whichever route you choose for buying your bike cover, it's important to make sure that you always read the quotes in full, so you can be sure you are comparing like with like.