Scooter and moped insurance

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Is there a difference between moped and scooter insurance?

Mopeds are generally cheaper than scooters to insure as they're seen as less of a risk on the road. This is because they have:

  • A smaller engine

  • A slower maximum speed (most models have a top speed of 28mph).

Mopeds can’t be ridden on the motorway, so it’s very unlikely they’ll be ridden on longer journeys. Insurers see shorter journeys as less risky, meaning moped insurance will typically be cheaper.

Cover for both is still cost-effective though, and you might be surprised to see how low your motor scooter insurance quote is.

Woman on a moped

Levels of moped and scooter insurance

Just like , there are three levels of moped and scooter insurance to choose from:

Third-party only

  • tick

    The most basic level of cover and a legal requirement

  • tick

    Will cover compensation and legal costs if you injure someone else or damage their property

  • cross

    Won’t cover injury to you or repair costs if your moped or scooter is damaged

Third party, fire and theft

  • tick

    Same protection as third party

  • tick

    Added benefit of cover for your moped or scooter if it’s stolen or damaged in a fire

Comprehensive

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    Highest level of cover available

  • tick

    Offers the same level of protection as third party, fire and theft

  • tick

    Will also cover the costs of repairing your moped or scooter if it’s damaged in an accident

What do I need to legally ride a moped?

To legally ride a moped or scooter on UK roads, you must:

Shield with tick

Have insurance

Riding your moped or scooter without at least third-party insurance could result in a criminal conviction. Penalties are the same as for driving without car insurance.

At the very least you could get a fixed penalty fine of £300 and six points on your licence.

Car with legal contract

Have a licence

You'll need to either already have a full car driving licence, or a provisional licence.

  • If you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001, you can already ride a 50cc moped legally

  • If you passed your driving test after 1 February 2001, you’ll need to complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before you can ride a moped.

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Get your scooter taxed

Finally, you’ll need to tax your moped or scooter before you can drive it legally on public roads.

If you don’t ride your moped or scooter and don’t want to insure it, you must apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

Once your moped or scooter is declared as SORN, it must not be driven or parked on a public road. If you keep your uninsured vehicle off the road and don’t declare it as SORN:

  • You’ll automatically be fined £80

  • You may also be fined for having an uninsured vehicle.

How much is moped insurance?

Based on the most recent Compare the Market data, insurance could cost less than:

£4603
a year for a 50cc moped
£1,1614
a year for young riders aged 16-17

As you can see, the difference between a young rider’s moped insurance cost and that of an older, more experienced rider can vary greatly.

You may be able to save on insurance for mopeds by adding security features to better protect your bike.

Things such as chains, anchors and disc locks are all examples of ways you can improve your moped’s security and deter thieves.

Compare cheap moped insurance

3 51% of our customers were quoted less than £459.42 for their 50cc 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.

How much is scooter insurance?

Customers who get quotes for a 125cc scooter with Compare the Market typically pay around:

£7455
a year

This number is based on the most recent Compare the Market data. Again, your age, experience and claims history will be taken into account when calculating the cost of your premium.

Generally, the larger the engine size, the more you’ll pay for your bike insurance. Not only is there more risk associated with more powerful engines, but repair costs also tend to be higher. These will be factored in when insurance providers calculate the cost of your premium.

5 51% of our customers were quoted less than £744.43 for their 125cc bike insurance in June 2026.

What additional upgrades or cover are available?

Just like with other types of car and motorbike insurance, there are quite a few add-ons you can pay extra for with a moped or scooter policy. Here are some examples:

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Breakdown cover

If you’re out and about and break down, motorcycle breakdown cover provides roadside assistance to get you back on the road as soon as possible. However, there are restrictions on carrying pillion passengers, so check you are legally allowed to do so before you drive with a passenger. 

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Pillion cover

Provides cover for you to ride with passengers on the back of your moped or scooter. Pillion cover will insure them if they're injured while riding with you. However, there are restrictions on carrying pillion passengers, so check you're legally allowed to do so before you drive with a passenger.

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Personal accident cover

If you’re injured or even killed while driving, personal accident cover could pay compensation.

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Legal expenses

Motor legal protection could help you recover uninsured losses after a biking accident, such as lost earnings because of an injury.

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Helmet and leathers cover

If your riding gear is lost, stolen or damaged, helmet and leathers cover can help pay to replace them.

Car keys

Key cover

With lost keys cover, you can claim for a replacement set if your moped keys go missing.  

Fuel pump

Wrong fuel cover

If you make the mistake of topping up with the wrong fuel type, this will cover any costs of draining the tank and fixing the problem.

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Modifications

If you’re into ‘modding’ your moped or scooter, you’ll need to take out specialist cover to insure the modification you’ve made. Just remember, some modifications are illegal, so make sure you know what you’re doing.

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European cover

Are you a keen traveller who likes to ride abroad? European cover will insure you on the continent.

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No-claims discount protection 

You can protect your no-claims discount, so you won’t lose it even if you’re responsible for an accident. 

All these add-ons will come with restrictions and exclusions, so check your policy carefully to be clear about what you’re covered for. 

How can I get cheaper moped and scooter insurance?

There are a few things you could do that might make your moped or scooter insurance policy cheaper: 

Step up security 

Fit an approved security device to your moped or scooter. But check with your insurance provider first as the cost of the device might outweigh the discount in premium. 

Park in a safe place 

If possible, keep your moped in a locked garage or shed, rather than on the street. This reduces the chances of your bike being damaged or stolen. 

Increase your voluntary excess 

This is what you'll pay on top of your compulsory excess if you need to make a claim. Higher excesses usually mean cheaper premiums, but make sure you'd be able to afford both the voluntary and compulsory excess if you needed to pay it. 

Buy a cheaper moped 

Some mopeds and scooters are cheaper to insure than others. If you’re in the market for a new bike, consider models with smaller engines to get a lower premium.  

Don’t pay for unnecessary extras 

Optional add-ons can give you extra protection, but don’t pay for cover you don’t need. For example, pillion cover won’t be necessary if you never carry passengers. 

Shop around 

One of the best ways to save money is to compare moped insurance quotes. Don’t simply let your policy auto-renew. You may be able to find a better deal by doing a quick search of providers with Compare the Market. 

Make sure you understand all the details of your insurance before you buy it, so you have the right cover in place. 

What do I need to get a scooter or moped insurance quote?

Give us a few details about you and your moped or scooter, including:

  • Make, model and year of manufacture

  • Any modifications

  • Value

  • How long you’ve had your licence

  • Any claims or convictions

  • Any security devices you’ve had fitted

  • Your age, address and employment details

We’ll show you a list of quotes so you can compare insurance for scooters or moped insurance deals.

Woman reading a phone while sat parked on a scooter
Amy Rootham

What our expert says...

“With low running costs and cheaper premiums compared to car insurance, it’s easy to see why mopeds and scooters are so popular with young riders.

“Easy to park and ride, smaller, lighter bikes are ideal in busy city traffic and on short commutes. Cheap insurance costs and great fuel efficiency also offer older, more experienced riders an incredibly cost-effective alternative to larger vehicles.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

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FAQs

What's the difference between a moped and a scooter?

The big difference between mopeds and scooters is the engine size and speed. Mopeds have an engine size up to 50cc and a top speed of around 28mph.

Scooter engine sizes vary from 50cc to 150cc, so at the top end they can go much faster.

Do you need a licence to drive a scooter or moped?

Yes, you need a licence to drive a scooter or moped. If you don’t already have a licence to drive a car, you should first get your provisional licence. This allows you to start learning to drive a car, or drive a moped, scooter or motorbike.

If you’ve already passed a car driving test before 1 February 2001, you can ride a 50cc moped without having to display L-plates or complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). If you passed your car driving test after 1 February 2001, you’ll need to complete the CBT before you can ride.

Does the type of licence I have affect my insurance cost?

Yes, the type of licence you have is one of the factors that could affect the cost of your motorbike insurance. If you have a provisional moped licence, you’ll typically pay more for your insurance than a rider with a full moped licence.  

Insurance providers look at how competent you are. Having a full licence shows that you’ve been officially recognised as a skilled rider. 

You’ll probably get a better insurance price if you get an AM, A1 or A2 licence by passing your theory and practical tests.

If my moped or scooter is written off, can I get a replacement?

If you have a comprehensive policy and your moped or scooter is written off, you may be able to get a replacement.

Be aware though, that the pay-out is usually the current market value of your moped or scooter, not what you originally paid for it.

In some cases, if your scooter is less than six months old, you may be offered a new replacement. However, this can vary between insurance providers, so it’s important to read the terms and conditions of your policy.

Will my insurance cover me for additional passengers?

Not necessarily. Some insurance policies won’t cover additional passengers. Make sure you check the terms and conditions before carrying a pillion passenger.

Also, be aware that you can’t take pillion passengers if you have a provisional licence. You can only carry passengers once you’ve passed your test and have a full licence.

Can I get a no-claims bonus for moped and scooter insurance?

Yes, you can get a no-claims bonus. Most insurance providers will reward you with a no-claims discount, just as you’d get with car insurance. The longer you go without making a claim, the more you can build up your no-claims bonus. This could help reduce the cost of your moped or scooter premium.

Can I get electric motorbike insurance?

You can get electric motorbike insurance. However, electric motorbikes are still pretty scarce which means not many mainstream providers offer cover.

Electric motorbikes may also be more expensive to buy, so they have a higher value to insure. They’re mostly ridden in towns and cities and not heard as easily as standard bikes. This makes them more likely to be involved in an accident with pedestrians and other vehicles on busy urban streets. 

Because of this, electric bike insurance is typically more expensive than insurance for a standard petrol motorcycle. 

Can I ride a 50cc moped without a CBT?

You can only ride a 50cc moped without a CBT if you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001. However, you’ll need to complete a CBT to ride a motorbike.

If you passed your driving test on or after 1 February 2001, you’ll need to complete a CBT before you can ride a 50cc moped.

Can I get temporary moped insurance?

Yes, you can buy short-term moped policies for periods ranging from one day up to a few months. Temporary insurance could be a good option if you’re borrowing a moped from a friend or test-riding a bike, for example.  

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Amy Rootham
Reviewed 08 Jun 2026 by Amy Rootham Insurance expert

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 Correct as of June 2026.

2 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)​

6 As of 1 July 2026, Compare the Market had an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 135,810 people who left a review on Trustpilot. The score 4.9 corresponds to the Star Label ‘Excellent’.