Cover & policy
Which motorbike insurance is right for me?
From comprehensive to third-party, compare cover levels and extras
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Protect your beloved bike on the open road with the right insurance policy
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How much does motorbike insurance cost?
What you'll pay depends heavily on your age and your bike's engine size. Riders searching for cover with Compare the Market are typically quoted less than the following...
£4902
a year for bike insurance
£7453
a year for 125cc bike insurance
£1,1614
a year for a young rider
2 51% of our customers were quoted less than £489.08 for their bike insurance in June 2026.
3 51% of our customers were quoted less than £744.43 for their 125cc bike insurance in June 2026.
4 51% of young riders between 16-17 years old could achieve a quote of less than £1,160.07 per year for bike insurance based on Compare the Market data in June 2026.
What are the different levels of motorbike cover?
Third-party only
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Minimum cover level required by law
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Typically covers injury and damage caused to others and their property
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Won’t cover you or your bike.
Third-party, fire and theft
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Offers the same cover as third-party insurance
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Added protection for your bike in case of fire or theft
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Won’t cover repairs to your own bike or personal medical costs.
Comprehensive
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Includes all features of third-party and third-party, fire and theft policies
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Covers repairs to your motorbike after an accident
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Covers the cost of replacing your bike if it’s written off
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Could also cover injury to you, but check your policy wording to be sure.
Do I need motorbike insurance in the UK?
Motorbike insurance is a legal requirement if you ride on UK roads. There were 1.36 million motorcycles licensed to be driven on UK roads as of December 2025.
Riding without insurance is a criminal offence. You could face a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points, and your bike may be seized and destroyed. If it goes to court, you could be disqualified from riding, and fined an unlimited amount.
What’s included with motorbike insurance?
Depending on your level of cover and policy wording, motorbike insurance could include:
Typically covered
Damage to your own bike
whether it’s a collision, an accidental drop, or malicious damage
Third-party liability
if you injure someone else or damage their vehicle or property
Fire damage
repair or replacement if your bike is damaged or destroyed by fire
Theft
if your motorbike is stolen or damaged in an attempted theft
Accidental damage
if you drop your bike or are involved in a collision
Vandalism
cover for deliberate damage, such as scratched paintwork or broken mirrors.
Not typically covered
Other passengers
you’ll need to add pillion cover to ride with a passenger
Modifications
tell your insurance provider about any modifications you make to your bike, including cosmetic or performance-enhancing
Punctures
you can add motorbike breakdown cover with roadside assistance to get you to the nearest garage if you have a puncture
Riding under the influence
riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, so you won’t be covered by your bike insurance
Negligence
for example, if you leave the keys in your bike and it’s stolen
Wear and tear
your bike won’t be covered for dents, scratches and rust caused by age and everyday use.
What could impact the cost of my motorbike insurance?
Compare quotes
Your age
If you’re particularly young or old, you’ll likely find insurance is more expensive as you’re considered a greater risk.
Your bike’s make, model and value
If your bike is an expensive, rare or powerful model, your insurance will usually cost more.
Where you live
You can expect to pay more if you live in a high-crime area.
Your claims history
Previous claims will usually push your premium up, as you’ll be considered likely to claim again.
Bike modifications
Some modifications will make your policy more expensive. Others, such as extra security or tracking devices, might reduce it.
Level of cover
Don’t always assume that third-party cover is the cheapest. It’s worth comparing all types of policies to find the best price for you.
How you use your bike
Your quote depends on whether you ride your bike for leisure, commuting or business purposes.
It’s always a good idea to run a motorcycle insurance comparison online to ensure you get the right cover at a price that suits you.
Classes of motorbike use
Insurance providers want to know how you’ll use your bike so they can understand the potential risk involved. Classes of use include:
Social, domestic and pleasure
This will cover you if you’re only using your bike for leisure and social travel. For instance, to visit a friend or pop to the shop.
Social, domestic, pleasure and commuting
If you’re also using your bike to ride to a single place of work, that counts as commuting.
Social, domestic, pleasure, commuting and business use
You’ll need business cover if you’re using your bike for all the above and business reasons, such as visiting clients.
Delivery
If you’re using your motorbike or moped for a food delivery job, this will need to be declared and covered appropriately as part of your business use.
How can I get cheaper motorbike insurance?
Choose your bike wisely and avoid heavy modifications
Keep an eye on your mileage
Prove you’re a low-risk rider
Consider how you pay for your insurance
Try increasing your excess
Compare policies
What extras and upgrades can I add to my motorbike insurance policy?
Motor legal protection
If you’re involved in an accident that leads to a legal claim, this could cover some or all of your legal costs.
Helmet and leathers cover
Helmet and leathers cover can help you replace your safety gear if it's been damaged in an accident.
Motorcycle breakdown cover
If your bike breaks down, motorcycle breakdown cover could get you back on the road. If a roadside repair isn’t possible, your bike will be taken to a garage.
Personal accident cover
If you’re in an accident, personal accident cover could cover loss of limbs, permanent disability and accidental death.
Pillion cover
Pillion cover insures your passengers against any injuries received while riding with you.
Protected no-claims
This could help you keep some or all of your no-claims discount if you need to make a bike insurance claim.
Key cover
This could cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys.
EU cover
Make sure you're covered if you're planning to ride your bike abroad.
How do I get a motorbike insurance quote?
To compare motorbike insurance quotes, you’ll need to tell us about:Start a new quoteYour bike and how you use it
We’ll need the make, model, reg number and year of manufacture. Let us know about any modifications, security devices fitted and how you use your bike.
Your details
We’ll need your name, age, address, job title and the type of industry you work in. If you want to add additional riders, we'll also need their details.
Your riding history and licence
Tell us how long you’ve had your licence, plus any claims or convictions. We’ll need the same for any riders you want to insure.
More motorbike guides
Understand motorbike insurance, cover options and how to compare policies for different riders and bikes
FAQs
Are there motorcycle insurance groups?
Yes, just like cars, motorcycles are classified into different insurance groups based on value and performance. There are between 17 and 22 motorcycle insurance groups, depending on the system the insurance provider uses.
Generally, bikes in the lower insurance groups are cheaper to insure.
Can I add other people to my motorbike insurance policy?
Many insurance providers will allow you to add an additional rider. Depending on their age and driving experience, this may raise or lower the cost of your premiums.
Can I insure more than one bike under the same policy?
If you own more than one motorbike, you could insure them all under one policy.
Multi-bike policies can earn you a discount for using the same provider and it can be easier to manage multiple bikes under one policy.
Compare the Market doesn’t currently compare multi-bike insurance, but we’re a great place to compare single motorbike insurance policies.
Can I insure an imported motorcycle?
You can insure an imported motorbike, but you’ll probably find you have fewer options. Not all motorbike insurance providers are willing to insure imports, because they were made to be sold outside of the UK.
You can still find cover, though, so it’s worth comparing providers.
What happens if my bike is written off?
If your bike is written off, some insurance providers will provide you with a brand-new replacement. However, this can increase the cost of your insurance.
When you take out your policy, the value of your bike will be used to calculate your pay-out if your bike is written off.
You might want to consider GAP insurance. GAP insurance can cover the difference between the market value of your bike today and the amount you paid when you bought it.
Compare the Market doesn’t currently compare GAP insurance.
Does motorbike insurance cover wheel damage or punctures?
Most motorbike insurance policies won’t cover you for punctures or damage to your wheels. However, if you take out breakdown cover, you can at least get roadside recovery to get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Can I insure my bike for only part of the year?
Yes, you could insure your bike for only part of the year, but, if you take out an annual policy, cancelling early may mean you won’t earn a no-claims discount. You may also have to pay a cancellation fee which could outweigh any savings.
Another option is to take out short-term bike insurance. Policies can offer cover from as little as a few hours up to a few months.
Just remember that if you take your bike off the road, and no longer want to insure it, you’ll need to declare it off the road with a SORN.
If you can find a cheap motorbike insurance deal, it might make sense to keep it insured at all times. That way, you’ll have year-round cover if it’s stolen or damaged.
Can I ride my bike abroad?
Some insurance providers include cover for riding abroad, usually within the EU. But be sure to check any limits or exclusions in your policy wording.
A separate motorbike travel insurance policy could provide extra cover.
Can I transfer my no-claims bonus from my car insurance?
Some insurance providers will let you transfer your no-claims bonus from your car insurance to your motorbike and vice versa. But not all will.
It’s worth comparing providers and finding out more before you agree on a motorcycle insurance policy.
What is compulsory basic training (CBT)?
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is a course you’ll usually need to take before you can ride a moped or motorcycle on the road.
It’s only the first level of qualification, so you’ll still need to pass a full motorbike or moped driving test. After completing CBT, you can ride a moped if you’re 16 or over, or a motorcycle up to 125cc with a power output of up to 11kW if you’re 17 or over.
Once you’ve completed your CBT (it’s not a test that you pass or fail), you must pass your full test within two years, or you’ll have to complete the CBT again.
Can 16-year-olds ride scooters and mopeds?
At the age of 16, you can ride a moped or scooter with an engine size of 50cc or less, with a maximum speed of 45km/h (around 27mph). To legally ride on the road in the UK, you’ll need:
A provisional driving licence
To have completed a CBT training course
L plates (L or D in Wales)
A valid MOT, if your scooter or moped needs one
Tax and insurance for your scooter or moped.
Can I ride someone else’s bike if I have insurance?
You might be covered to ride someone else’s bike if you have a comprehensive policy, the highest level of cover. But not all insurance providers include this within their cover.
If your policy does cover you to ride someone else’s bike, it will likely only be on a third-party basis. Check your policy to be sure.
How do motorbike licence categories work?
In the UK there are four main motorbike licence categories: AM, A1, A2 and A. The category you qualify for depends on your age, licence qualifications and motorbike type.
For example, you’ll need to be at least 16 years old with a CBT, theory test and practical test to qualify for an AM moped licence. You’ll need to be 24 or over to take a direct access test for a full, unrestricted motorbike licence.
Looking for something else?
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Methodology
1 Based on the % of respondents claiming they have used Compare the Market in the last 12 months vs. other leading PCWs. Source: Savanta BrandVue Financial Services, National Representative Survey of 12,257 respondents (June 2026)
What our expert says...
“To avoid paying more than you need for motorbike insurance, be realistic about how you use your bike – whether that’s for the daily commute or occasional weekend rides – and choose cover that reflects that.
“Only add extras you’ll genuinely benefit from, and review your policy each year to make sure it still suits your needs. Building up your no-claims discount and keeping your bike securely stored could also help keep future premiums down.”