Is motorbike insurance affected by where you store your bike?

Where you store your wheels is an important factor for insurers when they decide the cost of your premium. It’s worth doing a little homework to find out how different storage options alter your quote, especially if you don’t have a garage.

Written by

Julie Daniels

Motor insurance expert

Last Updated

29 FEBRUARY 2024

4 min read

Why does motorbike storage affect my insurance premium?

Insurance is all about calculating the chances of you making a claim. The more likely it is, the higher your premium tends to be. So if you can store your motorbike safely, you could enjoy lower premiums.

Theft of motorbikes and mopeds is a significant problem in the UK. Over 9,000 two-wheelers were stolen during January to May 2023, which was 2.6% down compared to the same period in 2022.

Where should I store my motorcycle?

In a perfect world, you’d store your bike in something like Fort Knox – somewhere out of sight and highly secure so that you and your insurance provider know it’s safe and sound. That option’s not open to most of us, but if you can store your bike in a garage or on a drive, you should definitely do so.

As well as protecting your motorbike from prying eyes, a garage or drive are more likely to prevent accidental damage from passing vehicles. And garages offer the benefit of protecting your bike from the elements and helping stave off the dreaded rust. Not to mention your bodywork is less likely to become a nature reserve for every bug in the neighbourhood.

How do I make my garage as safe as possible?

If you do store your bike in a garage, it needs to be one that’s secure, with a sturdy lock on any doors and windows. Having a garage also gives you the opportunity to chain your bike to something immoveable.

Another option is to invest in a security system, which will help protect not only your bike but anything else you store in the garage.

The UK Police also recommend having your bike marked with its VIN (vehicle identification number).

If you take extra steps like these, make sure you tell your insurance provider – it could save you some pounds.

I don’t have a garage – what should I do?

If a garage isn’t available, there are other steps you can take to make sure your bike’s secure.

Park your bike off-road.
Invest in immobilisers or brake locks. These can deter potential thieves.
Put a cover over your bike. It will hide the make and model, and once it’s covered up, opportunists are less likely to draw attention to themselves by prodding and poking around.
Look into buying a secure bike shed. These come specially kitted out, but can be expensive. If you’re considering this purely for insurance benefits, it’s worth checking with your insurance provider to see how it might affect your insurance premium.

Get the right insurance (wherever your bike is stored)

It’s important to be accurate in everything you tell your insurance provider so they can work out your premium correctly.

That includes potentially beneficial things, like storing your bike in a garage, and less positive facts too (like any accidents you’ve been in, or the fact that you’ve done more miles in a year than you expected). Any inaccuracies could end up invalidating your policy if you have to claim, so if there’s anything you’re not sure of, double check it.

Fortunately, it’s quick and easy to answer all the questions insurance providers need in one place, and generate a range of quotes in minutes.