Motorbike insurance
COMPARE CHEAP MOTORBIKE INSURANCE QUOTES
- Protect the thing you love most with motorbike insurance for less than £586 per year[1]
- Plus, enjoy a year of fantastic rewards on us*.
[1] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £585.91 for their bike insurance based in September 2023.
Why compare bike insurance quotes with Compare the Market?
There were around 1.34 million motorcycles registered in Great Britain at the end of 2022. If yours is one of them, finding affordable insurance will be among your top priorities. Just like car insurance, motorbike insurance is a legal requirement.
Whether you’re buying your first motorcycle or upgrading to your dream machine, comparing motorcycle insurance quotes could help you save money.
Affordable cover
51% of customers were quoted less than £586[1] for their motorcycle insurance.
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View a range of motorbike quotes in just 6 minutes[2]
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[2] Correct as of September 2023.
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What is motorbike insurance and why do I need it?
Depending on the level of cover you choose, motorbike insurance could pay out if your bike is damaged or stolen.
Motorbike insurance could also cover repairs to your motorbike, plus injury you cause to other people and damage to their property. You can also add extras like breakdown cover and personal accident cover to your policy.
Having motorbike insurance is a legal requirement if you ride or keep your bike on a public road.
What does motorbike insurance cover?
It depends on the level of cover you choose. You can choose from:
Third party only
Third-party cover is the minimum required by law. It could cover injury and damage you cause to other people and their property. But it won’t cover you or your motorbike.
Third party fire and theft (TPFT)
This offers the same cover as third party, with added protection for your motorcycle in case of fire or theft.
Comprehensive insurance
Covers all of the above, as well as repairs to your motorbike and the cost of replacing it if it’s written off. It could also cover injury to you, but check your policy wording to be sure.
What doesn’t motorbike insurance cover?
A standard motorbike insurance policy might not cover:
Other passengers
If you’re planning on riding your bike with a passenger, you’ll need to add pillion cover to your policy.
Sidecar cover
If your bike has a sidecar attached, it will be classed as an accessory and you may need to take out extra cover.
You can’t compare motorbike insurance with sidecar cover at Compare the Market.
Modifications
You need to tell your insurance provider about any modifications you make to your bike after its manufacture, whether they’re cosmetic or performance-enhancing.
Punctures
While bike insurance doesn’t cover punctures, motorbike breakdown cover with roadside assistance can get you to the nearest garage if you suffer a bad puncture on the road.
Track days
If you want to take to the circuit, you’ll need to get dedicated track day motorbike insurance from a specialist provider. Although it’s not a legal requirement, some track day organisers will insist you have extra insurance before you can take part.
Negligence
For example, if you leave the keys in your bike and it’s stolen.
Riding under the influence
Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal so, as you’d expect, you won’t be covered by your bike insurance.
Wear and tear
Your bike won’t be covered for dents, scratches and rust caused by age and everyday use.
Intentional damage
If you or anyone else on your policy damages your bike on purpose.
How much does bike insurance cost?
According to Compare the Market data, here’s how much customers could typically expect to pay annually and monthly (excluding interest) for their motorbike insurance:
£586/year £48.83/month
for bike insurance[1]
£758/year £63.13/month
for 125cc bike insurance[3]
£498/year £41.43/month
for 50cc bike insurance[4]
£1,141/year £95.04/month
for a young rider[5]
The price you’ll pay for your policy depends on several factors including:
- Your age – if you’re particularly young or old, you’ll likely find insurance is more expensive as you’re considered a greater risk.
- Where you live – if you live in a high-crime area, you can expect to pay more.
- Your bike’s make, model and value – if your bike is an expensive, rare or powerful model, your insurance will usually cost more.
- Level of cover you choose – don’t always assume that third-party cover is the cheapest.
- How you use your bike – social use, commuting or for work.
- Any bike modifications you’ve made – while some modifications will see the price go up, others might reduce it.
Find more on what affects the cost of your motorbike insurance.
[1] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £585.91 for their 125cc bike insurance, or £48.83 per month.
[3] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £757.59 for their 125cc bike insurance, or £63.13 per month.
[4] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £497.11 for their 50cc bike insurance, or £41.43 per month.
[5] 51% of young riders between 16-17 years old could achieve a quote of less than £1,140.44 per year for bike insurance, or £95.04 per month.
How can I get cheap motorbike insurance?
There are a few ways you could help reduce the cost of your policy:
- Choose a less powerful bike. A smaller bike with a less powerful engine will typically cost less to repair and insure.
- Avoid modified or unusual bikes. Modifications that enhance performance or increase your bike’s value can bump up the price of your insurance.
- Limit your mileage. The fewer miles you do, the less risk there is of you having an accident. If you can keep your annual mileage down, it could earn you a cheaper premium.
- Improve your driving skills. Some insurance providers might offer a discount to riders with advanced motorcycle qualifications, like the BikeSafe Certificate or RoSPA’s Enhanced Rider Scheme.
- Secure your motorbike. Fitting an industry-approved security device and storing your bike in a garage or secure lock-up overnight might help you get a cheaper premium.
- Pay annually. Paying for your motorbike insurance upfront in one go can be cheaper. You’re often charged interest if you pay monthly.
- Cut out the extras. There’s no point in paying extra for add-ons you don’t want or need. For example, do you really need pillion cover if you never take any passengers?
- Build up your no claims discount. For each year you stay claims-free, you’ll receive a discount on your premium the next time you renew.
- Increase your voluntary excess. Increasing the amount you pay towards a claim (voluntary excess) usually means you’ll pay less for your premium. Just be sure that you’re comfortable with paying the extra if you do have to make a claim.
- Shop around. Before you renew, shop around and compare quotes to see if you can save money by switching providers.
What extras can I add to my motorbike insurance policy?
You might want to look into adding these optional extras to your bike insurance:
- 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 – cover if you damage your riding gear in an accident.
- Motorcycle breakdown cover – could get you back on the road if your bike breaks down.
- Personal accident cover – if you’re in an accident, this could cover loss of limbs, permanent disability and accidental death.
- Pillion cover – this could cover your passengers for any injuries received while riding.
- Key cover – could cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys.
- International cover – if you’re planning to ride your bike abroad, you need to make sure you’re covered.
Classes of motorbike use
Insurance providers want to know how you’ll use your bike, so they understand the potential risk involved.
- Social, domestic and pleasure – if you’re only using your bike for leisure and social travel, this will cover you.
- 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 – if you’re using your bike for all of the above, while also using it for business reasons (like a delivery service), then you’ll need business use cover.
- 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.
Read your policy carefully to make sure you get the right cover for your needs.
Motorbike insurance policies for your type of bike
Here’s a quick look at the main types of motorbike. Different providers have different guidelines on the types of bikes they’ll insure.
Moped and scooter
The cost to insure a moped or scooter is likely to be more expensive if it’s a first bike for someone under 25, as insurance providers consider this a high-risk age group.
Sports bike
These high-performance bikes can be more expensive to insure. Compare insurance quotes to find the cheapest deal.
Supermoto
Increasingly popular with those who like to ride on and off the road. Costs vary, but lighter-weight models with smaller engines are usually cheaper to insure.
Classic
Classic bikes can be highly valuable, but they also tend to be well cared for and used sparingly, which could reduce the cost of insuring one.
Touring
These bikes tend to cover a lot of distance, so they’re built with comfort and storage in mind, and less emphasis on speed. If you’re planning to take your touring bike abroad, your insurance may be more expensive.
Off-road
If you’re into off-road riding, like motocross or track racing, then it could be expensive to insure your bike, especially if it’s modified.
Cruiser
Cruisers are large, heavy machines often sporting retro-styling. If you’ve customised your cruiser, this can bump up the cost of your premiums.
Chopper
With a motorcycle that’s been ‘chopped’ or modified from its original design, you might have particular insurance needs because your bike has been custom-made.
Quadbike
Quadbikes are non-standard vehicles, which can be insured for both on-road and off-road driving. This means you’ll need a specialist policy for quadbikes.
Trike
Trikes are another type of non-standard vehicle, with the three-wheel form normally being classed as a type of custom-built or modified bike.
How do motorbike licence grades work?
Motorbike riders have lots of different licence categories and grades, which can require different levels of qualification and age limits. Here’s a breakdown of each type:
| Licence grade | Type of vehicle | Minimum age | Qualifications required |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM |
Mopeds Small three-wheelers Small quadbikes |
16 | CBT, theory test and practical test |
| Q | Two and three-wheeler mopeds (top speed 25kmph) | 16 | AM Licence |
| A1 |
Light motorbikes (up to 11kW and 125cc) Motor tricycles (up to 15kW) |
17 | CBT, theory test and practical test |
| A2 | Motorbike (up to 35kW) | 19 |
Direct access route (theory and practical test) Progressive access route (two years’ experience on A1 motorbike and additional practical test) |
| A | Unrestricted motorbikes | 24 (direct access) 21 (progressive access route) |
Direct access route (CBT, theory and practical test) Progressive access route (two years’ experience on A1 motorbike and additional practical test) |
Generally speaking, the more qualified you are as a motorcycle rider, the lower the risk you pose to your insurance provider, which could lead to cheaper insurance.
What our expert says...
To avoid paying more than you need for your bike insurance, think carefully about how you use your bike and only get the add-ons you really need. Plus, do your best to build up your no-claims discount to help reduce your future motorbike insurance premiums."
- Julie Daniels, Motor insurance expert
Frequently asked questions
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.
What information do I need to get an insurance quote for my motorbike?
Before starting your quote, you’ll need details of:
- The make and model of your motorbike – and the registration number, if you know it
- The year it was manufactured (we can compare quotes for any bike manufactured during or after 1970)
- Any modifications after manufacture
- The value of your motorcycle and the date you bought it, if applicable
- How long you’ve had your motorbike licence
- Any claims or convictions
- Any additional riders, including any claims and convictions they may have had
- Any special security devices you carry or have had fitted to your motorbike.
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?
Some insurance providers will provide you with a brand-new replacement if your bike is written off, but this will increase the cost of your insurance.
When you take out your policy, you’ll agree the value of your bike and this 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.
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?
Insurance policies are sold on an annual basis, providing you with cover for the full year. Cancelling your policy early will mean you won’t earn a no-claims discount and there’ll usually be a cancellation fee, which could make any savings minimal or wipe them out completely.
You could declare your bike SORN, but you’ll likely lose out on any no-claims bonus because your cover has been interrupted.
Consider keeping your bike 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 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?
You might be able to find an insurance provider who’ll take your no-claims discount from your car insurance into account. It’s worth comparing providers and finding out more before you agree on a motorcycle insurance policy.
What is CBT?
CBT stands for Compulsory Basic Training. This is a course you need to take before you’re legally able to ride a motorbike or moped 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. But it will allow you to legally ride a moped or up to a 125cc motorbike, as long as the power output is no more than 11kW.
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)
- 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 comprehensive 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.
