Compare Bike Insurance

When working out the cost of premiums, motorbike insurance companies will take into account different factors to make the calculation:

• Usage
• History of riding
• Your location
• Age of rider
• Amount of voluntary excess
• Annual mileage
• Place where you keep your motorbike.
• Model of motorbike
• Level of security

You can find out more in our beginners’ guide to bike insurance.

As with most vehicle insurance, there are three main types of cover: comprehensive, third party, fire and theft and third party only. The most favourable rates are not always for third party policies and the cover they provide can be quite limited. It’s a good idea to shop around and find the best deal to suit your needs. Telematics policies for motorbikes have still not had significant appeal.

CBT is the abbreviation for Compulsory Basic Training; all riders of motorbike and mopeds must have this before setting out on the road. Occasionally, it is not compulsive if you have possessed a valid driving or moped licence for a long time; however, it is best for all riders to have a CBT. For more information, visitGov.UK website

You may find your comprehensive cover will be permitted for another bike with the owner’s permission; another option is to buy an add-on for your policy. It is recommended you read through your Terms and Conditions.

Ideally, yes. However, if your motorcycle has been declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) and this has been registered with the DVLA, you won’t have to. Short-term motorbike insurance is worth looking at for various options.

There are some insurance providers who may permit you to use your NCB from your car on your motorbike; however, this is unusual and the reverse of transferring motorbike NCB to car is not permitted.

Your NCB only applies to a single motorbike; you can transfer it to an alternative bike, for example when trading in your bike and buying a new one, but it will not be valid on an additional motorcycle or another vehicle.

There are some providers who will offer discounts or permit you to replicate your no claims bonus on a second motorbike; it is best to check on various incentives with individual insurers.

Policies differ so it is best to ask your insurer. However, although it will be cheaper not to insure for passengers, it is illegal to take a passenger if you have no insurance for pillion passengers.

When you take out motorbike insurance, you will need to declare how you intend to use your bike. The main options for usage are social, domestic and pleasure; you may need an add-on or different policy for commuting, business use, courier and delivery. Find out more here: insuring a motorbike for work use.

It’s best not to make the assumption that your policy covers your riding gear. Different companies offer different levels of protection so check out the details with individual insurers. Taking out helmet and leather insurance may be your best option.

Read our guide to European cover as policies vary. You may only be covered for certain countries; you need to be aware of the number of days for which you have continuous cover and whether the protection is identical to your UK cover.

Sixteen year olds who want to ride a moped or a scooter on the road must be in possession of a valid provisional licence; it is mandatory to have completed a CBT course, and L-plates must be displayed (known as D plates in Wales). You are forbidden from carrying a passenger or riding on a motorway.

Unfortunately we cannot issue a scooter insurance quote to anyone under the age of 16. The insurance companies are not in agreement for us to provide quotes for those under 16 years of age.

A scooter is defined by The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) as having an engine that is a working part of the rear suspension, or a chassis that’s a step-through type. This criteria is independent of engine capacity or wheel size.

A motorised two-wheel vehicle with an engine capacity of less than 50cc and a top speed of approximately 31mph is the definition of a moped.

imported motorbikes are subject to the same criteria as other vehicles and need to have valid insurance cover before taking out onto the road. Parallel imports are usually simple to get insured, whereas grey imports may be more difficult. If you enter your details in our simple, user-friendly process for obtaining a quote, you can obtain a list of insurers who can offer a quote.

These type of vehicles need to be considered separately from motorbikes. Find out more here: insuring a three-wheeler and quad-bike insurance.