Which type of motorbike insurance is right for me?

Find out how to choose cover for your pride and joy that’s both suitable and affordable.

Written by

Motor insurance expert

Posted

26 JANUARY 2021

4 min read

Do I need motorbike insurance?

Yes. If you’re riding your motorbike on the roads, it’s a legal requirement. The only exception is if you’ve declared your bike off the road and have a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) to prove it.

If you’re caught riding without insurance, you could get a fine of up to £300 and at least six penalty points on your licence. If you end up in court, you could face an unlimited fine, be disqualified from riding or have your bike confiscated.

What levels of motorbike insurance are available?

There are three levels to choose from:

Third party only (TPO) This is the minimum legal requirement and covers compensation for injury or damage caused to other people and their property. It won’t cover damage to your bike or any medical treatment that you might need.
Third party fire and theft (TPFT) Offers the same benefits as third party, plus coverage if your bike is damaged by fire or is stolen.
Comprehensive (or fully comp) Includes all the features of third party fire and theft, plus any accidental damage or personal injury treatment if the incident is your fault. Comprehensive bike insurance might also cover the cost of a replacement bike if yours is written off.

Motorcyclists are far more likely to be injured in road accidents than any other kind of road user, according to the Department for Transport, so having medical cover may be an investment worth making.

Also bear in mind that TPO isn’t always the cheapest motorbike insurance – check the prices for all three when you compare quotes.

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Do I need pillion cover for passengers?

Yes. If you want to carry passengers on your bike, check your policy details to see whether you have pillion cover, as it’s not typically included in standard policies. If you don’t have pillion insurance, you’ll need to ask your insurance provider to add it, possibly at an extra cost.

If you carry a passenger and you don’t have pillion cover, your bike insurance could be invalidated.

Does what I use my bike for affect my insurance?

Yes, it could do. When you ask for a bike insurance quote, you’ll need to say how you use your bike. The four main categories of use are:

Social, domestic and pleasure This covers day-to-day activities, such as visiting friends and family and journeys made for leisure purposes.
Social, domestic, pleasure and commuting This covers leisure use, plus commuting to and from a single permanent place of work. If you use your bike to get to a train station as part of your usual commute to work, then park it there, this will usually be covered.
Business use If you use your bike for business travel, for example you travel between different offices or visit customers, you’ll need business bike insurance. Business cover can be extended to include your spouse and/or additional riders.
Dispatch riding This will cover you if your main role at work is to deliver or pick up packages or documents.

How can I find the right bike insurance for me?

It’s easy to compare quotes from a range of insurance providers on our website. Just give us a few details about you and your bike, and we’ll generate a list of quotes, along with key policy features. Choose the one you’re interested in and follow the link to the provider’s website to make your purchase.

Get covered, get on and go!

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What else should I consider when insuring my motorbike?

Think about taking out breakdown cover for your bike. This can be extremely helpful if you get stranded by the roadside at night or in bad weather. It’s also invaluable if you’re taking your bike overseas.

Some policies have optional add-ons like cover for your leathers and helmet, personal accident cover and legal expenses cover.