Motorbike Insurance: Compare quotes for protection on the open road
Motorbike Insurance
Friday, 29 Feb 2008 15:46
Motorbikes are insured for exactly the same reason as cars – to provide cover in case they are involved in an accident or cause injury or harm to third parties or property. It is obligatory for motorcyclists to hold, at the very least, a third-party insurance policy before they can travel on the public highways.
Motorcyclists can also take out third party fire and theft cover for their bike, which covers the cost of repairs to another vehicle or for replacement of the bike in case it is damaged in a fire or is stolen.
Comprehensive insurance provides complete cover, including the costs of damage to your own bike if you cause an accident.
Motorcycle insurance comes under two categories. A specified rider policy provides cover for the person who rides the bike, not the bike itself. It means that person is insured no matter what bike they are riding – regardless of size or power. A specified bike policy insures a particular bike, and not the rider. It provides automatic insurance for anyone else who rides the bike.
Reasons to have motorbike insurance
Like car owners, it is a legal requirement for a motorcyclist to at least hold basic third-party insurance before being allowed to roam the roads on their bike. Unlike car owners, it is much harder for motorcyclists to get their bike insured because it is a sad fact that bike owners account for a high proportion of accidents on the UK roads. Motorcycles are also far easier than cars to steal and suffer more thefts. Therefore, getting insurance from your normal motor car insurer will be difficult and a separate insurance policy for your bike is essential.
Bikes are often owned by fanatics, who will cherish their motorcycle. If it is damaged in an accident o destroyed in a fire, although the emotional loss might be difficult to overcome, there is some peace of mind in knowing it can be repaired or replaced.
How to buy motorbike insurance
Firstly, brace yourself for higher premiums than you would expect for a normal car insurance policy. Then you can begin to search for the best policy.
High street insurers provide a range of deals. There are also many specialist insurers and brokers out there who are experts in the field and can help you find the best deal based on your requirements.
Purchasing insurance online for your bike is often much cheaper than by phone and many insurers provide discounts if you apply via their website.
Doing advanced instruction courses in motorcycling can help lower your premiums. And you will gain extra brownie points from any insurer if your bike is kept locked up in a garage at night and is kitted out with the latest security features. If you opt to pay your premium in a lump sum, as opposed to monthly instalments, this can help reduce premiums too.
Pitfalls
Many motorcyclists try to reduce premiums by cancelling their bike insurance during the winter, when they are not using them. They think that by keeping it locked in the garage it's secure enough.
However, if a thief does happen upon your bike and you cancelled your policy – you cannot make a valid claim.
Motorbike insurers have a long list of classification groups for motorcycles – much longer than for cars. They will look at a customer's claims history, the cost and power of a bike, the rider's age, where they live, their annual mileage, their occupation, reasons for using the bike, security measures and whether the rider has advanced instruction courses under their belt.
Young riders are more likely to be saddled with higher premiums as are people living in crime or accident hotspots.